Texas and Seventh Circuit Courts Welcome Three New Judges in Historic Investitures

The past few days have been eventful. On Thursday, I attended a double investiture at the Supreme Court of Texas for the two newest members. Justice James P. Sullivan was sworn in by (Retired) Judge Tom Griffith, who delivered a thoughtful discussion on the value of the oath—particularly the meaning of "help" in "So help me God." Justice Kyle Hawkins was sworn in by Justice Samuel A. Alito, who shared a humorous anecdote about Hawkins’ tenure. Alito recounted circulating an opinion in a seemingly uncontroversial case, only to receive numerous requests to revise it. Hawkins played a key role in managing the revisions, ultimately satisfying all parties. (The specific case was not disclosed, but I’d love to know which one it was.)

Investitures for the Texas Supreme Court are held in the chamber of the Texas House of Representatives, and every seat was filled. The event also included tributes to Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and Justice Jeff Boyd, who recently retired. The intellectual firepower of the Texas Supreme Court is unmatched, and I have high hopes for the contributions of Justices Sullivan and Hawkins.

After a brief stay in Austin, I traveled to Chicago O’Hare and drove to Milwaukee to attend the investiture of Judge Rebecca Taibleson to the Seventh Circuit. Over the years, I’ve written extensively about my close relationship with Professor Michael Krauss at George Mason University. Krauss delivered a moving tribute to his daughter, Judge Taibleson, which brought many to tears. Justice Brett Kavanaugh also spoke, recalling the exact moment he met Judge Taibleson in a Yale Law School hallway—an encounter that left a lasting impression. The ceremony radiated warmth and joy, offering a refreshing contrast to the often contentious confirmation process. As one commenter noted, this was a rare instance where meritocracy prevailed, and Judge Taibleson is sure to make everyone proud.

I’m proud to share that three of my former students will clerk for these three jurists next term.

Behind the Scenes: A Week of Travel and Milestones

The week was packed with even more activity. On Wednesday, I attended a legal retreat at the Manhattan Institute, my new think tank, followed by the Hamilton Dinner at Cipriani, where Senator Ben Sasse was honored. His leadership and inspiration were truly remarkable. Earlier in the week, on Monday and Tuesday, I participated in the Fifth Circuit Judicial Conference, held in Houston. To juggle so many commitments, I relied on several early-morning flights. Amidst the whirlwind of travel, I also published what may be my most popular blog post to date—it’s been widely discussed and shared.