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Texas A&M-Fort Worth
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Texas A&M-Fort Worth
Judges sworn in last week included: In the First Division are Andrea Bouressa and William Whitehill. Melissa Andrews and Patrick Sweeten were sworn in for the Third Division; Marialyn Barnard and Stacy Sharp for the Fourth Division; Jerry Bullard and Brian Stagner in the Eighth Division; and Sofia Adrogué and Grant Dorfman for the 11th Division.
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Texas A&M-Fort Worth
Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp.
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Texas A&M-Fort Worth
Gov. Greg Abbott
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Texas A&M-Fort Worth
Texas A&M Law School Dean Bobby Ahdieh.
Ten judges of the new Texas Business Court were administered their oaths of office by Gov. Greg Abbott last week at Texas A&M-Fort Worth.
The Texas Business Court is a statewide, specialized trial court created to streamline the resolution of certain complex business disputes. It was passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by Abbott into law in the last legislative session. The Legislature also created Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals to handle business court appeals.
The chambers of the Eighth Division of the Texas Business Court will be housed at Texas A&M-Fort Worth in downtown. The court will move into A&M’s new law school building when it is completed.
Abbott appointed Jerry Bullard and Brian Stanger to preside over the Eighth Division.
“Last year, I worked with the Texas Legislature to pass a law creating the first-ever Texas business courts, along with a centralized court of appeals, to resolve public law disputes and constitutional challenges that impact Texas businesses across our state,” said Abbott in a statement. “I am proud to swear in the first judges to the Texas business courts.”
The Texas Business Court was established to attract more businesses to the state by offering specialized courts for resolving complex disputes related to contracts, mergers, and corporate governance.
In addition to Abbott, Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd and Justice Evan Young, state Sen. Phil King, state Rep. Davis Cook, state Rep. Jeff Leach, state Rep. Andrew Murr, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, and Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp were present for the swearing-in.
Bullard is a shareholder with Adams, Lynch & Loftin. He has more than 30 years of experience in state and federal court litigation, in both trial and appellate law.
Stagner is of counsel and a former partner at Kelly Hart. He also serves as an adjunct professor at TCU teaching business law.
The judges serve two-year terms.
Texas Business Court
In the First Division are Andrea Bouressa and William Whitehill. Melissa Andrews and Patrick Sweeten were sworn in for the Third Division; Marialyn Barnard and Stacy Sharp for the Fourth Division; and Sofia Adrogué and Grant Dorfman for the 11th Division.
The First, Third, Fourth, and 11th divisions sit in Dallas, Travis, Bexar, and Harris counties.
The other five divisions are expected to be up and running in 2026, pending Legislative funding in next year’s session.
Abbott appointed Scott A. Brister, Scott K. Field, and April L. Farris to the 15th Court of Appeals
“These experienced individuals will serve to ensure that Texas businesses will have a sophisticated and efficient process to resolve their disputes. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these courts will provide for a bigger, better Texas for generations to come,” Abbott said.
Texas Business Court