Dale Wainwright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judge
J. Dale Wainwright
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| Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Place 7 |
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| In office January 7, 2003 – September 30, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Deborah Hankinson |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey S. Boyd |
| District Judge of the 334th Civil Court of Harris County, Texas | |
| In office 1999–2003 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | June 19, 1961 Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Spouse | Debra Wainwright |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Austin, Texas |
| Alma mater | Howard University (B.A.) University of Chicago Law School (J.D.) |
| Occupation | attorney, former jurist |
J. Dale Wainwright is a well-known American lawyer and former judge. He was born on June 19, 1961, in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He served as a judge on the highest court in Texas, called the Texas Supreme Court. After his time as a judge, he started working as a lawyer for a private law firm in Austin, Texas.
Judge Wainwright was first chosen for the Texas Supreme Court in November 2002. He took the place of another judge, Deborah Hankinson. He was re-elected in 2008 for a second term. On September 30, 2012, he officially left the Texas Supreme Court after almost ten years. After leaving the court, he joined a law firm in Austin. Jeffrey S. Boyd became the new judge in his place.
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Early Life and Education
J. Dale Wainwright studied economics at Howard University. He graduated with very high honors. During one of his college years, he also studied at the London School of Economics. Later, he earned his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1988.
In 1999, the governor of Texas at the time, George W. Bush, chose Wainwright to be a judge. He served in the 334th District Court in Harris County, Texas. He worked there until he was elected to the Texas Supreme Court.
Becoming a Judge
The 2002 Election
J. Dale Wainwright and Wallace B. Jefferson made history in 2002. They were the first African Americans to be elected to the Texas Supreme Court. Jefferson had been appointed earlier, but both won their seats in the same election. Like most judges on the state's highest court, Wainwright was a member of the Republican Party.
The 2008 Election
In 2008, Judge Wainwright ran for re-election to the court. His main opponent was Sam Houston, a lawyer from the Democratic Party. Wainwright won his re-election. He received 51 percent of the votes, while Houston received 45 percent. Another candidate, David G. Smith, received 3 percent of the votes.
Personal Life
J. Dale Wainwright is married to his wife, Debbie. They have three sons named Jeremy, Phillip, and Joshua.
See also
- Black conservatism in the United States
