Atty. Wallace B. Jefferson

Atty. Wallace B. Jefferson

Wallace B. Jefferson served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas prior to joining Alexander Dubose & Jefferson in 2013.

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Profile Summary

About Wallace B. Jefferson at a glance

Wallace B. Jefferson is a appellate attorney based in Austin, Texas, practicing at Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP. Admitted to practice in Texas, State Bar of Texas. Educated at The University of Texas (J.D., 1988). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Austin) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Serands clients in Austin, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Wallace B. Jefferson served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas prior to joining Alexander Dubose & Jefferson in 2013
  • Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2001 and named Chief Justice in 2004, Jefferson made Texas judicial history as the Court’s first African-American Justice and Chief Justice
  • He led the Court’s efforts to fund access to justice programs
  • helped reform juvenile justice
  • and inaugurated a statewide electronic filing system for Texas courts
  • During his time on the bench, Jefferson was elected President of the Conference of Chief Justices, an association of chief justices from the 50 states and U.S. territories
  • A graduate of the James Madison College at Michigan State University and The University of Texas School of Law, Jefferson is the namesake for Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School in San Antonio
  • He is the Treasurer of American Law Institute, Chair of the Texas Commission to Expand Civil Legal Services, and is a Fellow of the by-invitation-only American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
  • Jefferson is a member of the Texas Commission on Judicial Selection and serves on the Board of Advisors of the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Judicial Selection Initiative
  • Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993, Jefferson has twice won cases he argued in the Supreme Court of the United States
  • Jefferson has been honored with the 2014 Texas Center for Legal Ethics Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award, honoring a judge or attorney who personifies the highest standards of the legal profession
  • the 2014 Texas Appleseed J. Chrys Dougherty Good Apple Award because of his leadership in seeking equality for all Texans, especially the less fortunate
  • and the 2015 Anti-Defamation League Austin Jurisprudence Award, honoring an outstanding member of the legal community who exhibits a commitment to equality, justice, fairness, and community service
  • In 2016, he was honored with the Presidential Citation Award from The University of Texas
  • This award recognizes extraordinary contributions of individuals who personify the university’s commitment to transforming lives
  • He is listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Best Lawyers in America, and Texas Super Lawyers

Practice Areas Explained

Wallace B. Jefferson's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Wallace B. Jefferson handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Appellate Practice

Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.

Wallace B. Jefferson is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Texas

Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Austin are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Austin or all attorneys in Texas.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Wallace B. Jefferson

Where is Wallace B. Jefferson's law office located?
Wallace B. Jefferson's law practice is located in Austin, Texas. The firm is Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Wallace B. Jefferson handle?
Wallace B. Jefferson focuses on appellate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.
Where did Wallace B. Jefferson go to law school?
Wallace B. Jefferson earned their education at (J.D., 1988).
How can I contact Wallace B. Jefferson for a consultation?
You can contact Wallace B. Jefferson directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Wallace B. Jefferson received?
Wallace B. Jefferson's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Austin); Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2015-2021; Best Lawyers in America — Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award - Texas Center for Legal Ethics, 2014.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
The University of Texas
- 1988

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Austin)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2015-2021
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award - Texas Center for Legal Ethics, 2014
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — J. Chrys Dougherty Good Apple Award - Texas Appleseed, 2014
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Austin Jurisprudence Award - Anti-Defamation League, 2015
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Presidential Citation Award - The University of Texas, 2016
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texan of the Year (2014), Texas Legislative Conference
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Austin)
- 2023

Bar Admissions

Texas, State Bar of Texas

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