Former Texas Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson Joins Alexander Dubose & Townsend

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Wallace B. Jefferson is joining Alexander Dubose & Townsend LLP, an internationally recognized appellate boutique law firm with offices in Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Jefferson stepped down just yesterday from his position as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. Rachel Ekery, staff attorney to the chief justice for more than a decade, is also joining the firm as a partner. Their first day at the firm's Austin office will be Nov. 18. The firm's name is now Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend LLP (ADJT).

"It is a great privilege to welcome Wallace Jefferson and Rachel Ekery to our firm," Douglas W. Alexander, a founding partner at ADJT, said. "Chief Jefferson was an excellent appellate advocate before taking the bench, and he distinguished himself as one of the most outstanding jurists in the country during his long career with the Supreme Court of Texas. Ms. Ekery is a superb complement to Chief Jefferson, and we are fortunate to have them both as part of our team."

Jefferson was appointed to the Court in 2001 by Gov. Rick Perry and was subsequently elected to the bench in 2002. He was named chief justice by the governor in 2004, becoming the 26^th chief justice of the state. In 2006, he was elected chief justice; he was re-elected to a full term in 2008.

Jefferson made Texas judicial history—he was the first African-American justice and the first African-American chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court.

During his time on the bench, Jefferson served as president of the Conference of Chief Justices, an association of chief justices from the 50 states and U.S. territories.

"I greatly admire all of the partners at Alexander Dubose & Townsend," Jefferson said. "We've known each other for years, and I feel confident that, working as a team, we can continue to build upon the firm's excellent practice and stellar reputation."

Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Jefferson was a partner in San Antonio-based appellate specialty firm Crofts, Callaway & Jefferson. He argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court, and won them both. He is a member of the American Law Institute and is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

A graduate of the James Madison College at Michigan State University and the University of Texas School of Law, Jefferson is the namesake for the Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School in San Antonio. He has just been honored with the 2013 Texas Exes Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Ekery brings a distinguished resume with her as well. Before serving as the chief's staff attorney at the Supreme Court of Texas, Ekery was an associate at Baker Botts LLP in Dallas and a shareholder at ScottHulse PC in El Paso, where she focused on business litigation and appellate matters. She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was an editor of the Law Review. She is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

About Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend
Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend is an internationally recognized appellate boutique law firm with offices in Austin, Dallas, and Houston. With the addition of Jefferson and Ekery, the firm will include 12 Texas board-certified appellate law attorneys—more than any other firm in Texas. ADJT attorneys have an average of 20 years experience and a wide variety of appellate expertise. For more information, please visit www.adjtlaw.com.

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SOURCE Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend