As Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Nathan Hecht has been a dominant force in shaping the state’s judicial system for more than three decades. With his retirement now imminent due to state law, Hecht reflects on a career that has not only transformed the court but also left a lasting impact on Texas jurisprudence. Hecht, the longest-serving justice in the history of the Texas Supreme Court, first ran for a seat on the court in 1988. Since then, Hecht has won six re-election campaigns, led the court as chief justice for over a decade, and written thousands of pages of legal opinions. Hecht’s tenure has been marked by his dedication to improving the accessibility of justice in Texas, particularly for the state’s most vulnerable populations.
“If justice were food, too many would be starving,” he told lawmakers in 2017, advocating for increased Legal Aid funding and bail reforms aimed at leveling the playing field for low-income Texans. His colleagues on the court, as well as legal experts, recognize Hecht for his sharp intellect and his drive to modernize the state's judicial processes.
“Nathan set the standard for that,” said Wallace Jefferson, Hecht’s predecessor as chief justice. Jefferson, now a partner at Alexander Dubose & Jefferson, commended Hecht’s “formidable” presence on the court, noting that even when Hecht didn’t side with the majority, his thoughtful and philosophical approach to the law elevated the court’s decisions. Hecht’s political influence extends beyond his judicial role.
Hecht’s successor will be appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, and will be required to run for election in 2026.
Looking back on his decades of service, Hecht says serving on the court has been the honor of his life. “I feel good about the past,” he said. “And I feel good about the future.” As he prepares to retire, Hecht remains committed to improving the judiciary, both in Texas and nationwide. Though he is unsure of his next steps, Hecht says he looks forward to staying involved in court administration and is considering a possible tell-all book to keep his former colleagues on their toes. “I really think it’s such a strong bench,” Hecht said of the Texas judiciary. “And I am proud to have been a part of it.”
Nathan is an elected member of The American Law Institute, and is a member of the Council. He is currently serving as an Adviser on the Principles of the Law, High-Volume Civil Adjudication project, which is addressing a serious challenge facing state courts: the adjudication of high-volume, high-stakes, low-dollar-value civil claims.