Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson to Deliver Commencement Address at Hofstra Law School

Hofstra Law School, Hempstead, N.Y. —

Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary degree at Hofstra Law School’s commencement ceremony to be held on Sunday, May 17, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

“Hofstra Law School is honored to have Chief Justice Jefferson deliver the commencement address,” said Hofstra Law Dean Nora V. Demleitner.  “He is exceptionally accomplished, and has already made history.  He is a role model for all of our graduates.”

Governor Rick Perry first appointed Jefferson to the Court in March 2001 and in 2004 he became Chief Justice.  Jefferson is the first African-American Justice and Chief Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas.  He joined the Court from a private practice in San Antonio.  As a partner in the appellate-specialty firm Crofts, Callaway & Jefferson, he successfully argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In August 2008, Jefferson was elected to be first vice president of the Conference of Chief Justices, and is scheduled to lead the organization as its president in 2010. As president, Chief Justice Jefferson will be chair of the National Center for State Courts, a policy and resource organization in Williamsburg, Virginia.  

Chief Justice Jefferson received a B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

Learn more about Chief Justice Jefferson.