Serving with Integrity.
Grounded in the Law.
Committed to Justice for All.
MEET JUSTICE BUSBY
Justice Brett Busby is a seventh-generation Texan, third-generation Eagle Scout, and experienced appellate attorney serving on the Supreme Court of Texas. Governor Abbott appointed him to the Court in 2019 and Texas voters elected him as a Republican in 2020, when he defeated his opponent by more than one million votes. He previously served on the Court of Appeals for six years.
Justice Busby is running for re-election in 2026. He has built a conservative judicial record grounded in fairness, experience, and dedication to the Constitution and the rule of law.
Justice Busby is also a nationally recognized appellate attorney and teacher. He served as a law clerk for two justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, presented oral argument in that court and others across the country, and taught law students at the University of Texas.
He lives in Austin with his wife, Erin, an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Law School. The Busbys have two children.
A PASSION FOR THE LAW
When Governor Abbott asked me to serve on the Supreme Court in 2019, and when Texans overwhelmingly elected me in 2020, I took an oath to defend the Constitutions and laws of the United States and Texas. I work hard to honor that oath every day, applying our laws faithfully to all who come before the Court—never rewriting those laws from the bench. Every Texan deserves a fair hearing, and every decision must be grounded in the law, not politics, pressure, or personal preference.
That’s the approach I’ve taken in every case I’ve heard in my 13 years on the bench. I’m running for re-election to continue building this legacy for my family and yours.
From high-stakes constitutional cases to the legal disputes that matter most to individual Texans, my job is to uphold the Constitution, protect individual rights, and ensure justice is applied consistently across our great state.
I’ve also made it a point to give back to the legal profession and the people I serve. Whether it’s providing pro bono legal help, leading education initiatives, or modernizing court access, I believe this role comes with a duty to help, not just to decide.
Experience That Serves Texas
Justice Busby has earned a reputation as one of the most respected appellate judges in Texas.
- Appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in 2019, confirmed unanimously by the Texas Senate
- Elected statewide in 2020 to a full term on the Court, winning by more than one million votes
- Former Justice, Fourteenth Court of Appeals (Houston, 2012–2018)
- Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law
- Appellate Judge of the Year, Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (2018)
- Former Partner, Bracewell LLP
- Argued appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Texas Supreme Court, and many courts of appeals
- Law Clerk, U.S. Supreme Court (1999-2000)
- Former Chair, State Bar of Texas Appellate Section and Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee
- Former Adjunct Professor, University of Texas School of Law
Justice Busby brings discipline, experience, and humility to every case he hears. His approach—no matter the parties or issues—is to give everyone the respectful hearing they deserve and to rule impartially based on the law and the record.
Making Legal Services Affordable
Most Texans who need legal services find that they are too expensive. Justice Busby is taking bold action to increase the supply of legal help that people and small businesses can use to tackle common problems at affordable prices. His efforts are driven by a simple belief: everyone, regardless of their bank balance, should have access to our justice system to protect their rights and defend their liberties.
As the Supreme Court’s liaison to the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Foundation, Justice Busby helps lead statewide efforts to expand legal aid and reform outdated, burdensome government regulations that drive up the cost of legal services. These efforts include updating court rules, advocating for legislative changes, creating plain-language court forms, and educating the public about available resources.
One of Justice Busby’s most notable projects is helping to lead the team proposing a new licensing system for legal paraprofessionals and court-access assistants, who will be trained to provide inexpensive, high-quality help with simple legal problems. This innovative policy—which has succeeded in many other states, countries, and industries—promises to make legal services more affordable and accessible in every county across Texas.
“We have to think creatively about how the legal system can serve more Texans,” Justice Busby says. “Access to justice must be more than a principle; it must be a reality.
Judicial Education and Civic Engagement
Justice Busby also believes that public confidence in the courts depends on education and transparency. That’s why he helped create Teach Texas, a civic education partnership that sends lawyers and judges into seventh-grade classrooms to teach students about the Texas court system and legal history.
In recognition of this effort, he received the Judicial Civic Education Award from the American Lawyers Alliance in 2022.
Justice Busby regularly speaks at legal education conferences across Texas and has published on appellate procedure, judicial ethics, and constitutional interpretation. He believes that lifelong learning, both inside and outside the courtroom, is a cornerstone of good judging.
Service beyond the bench
Justice Busby’s commitment to service goes well beyond the courtroom. A lifelong violinist, he played in the first violin section of the Houston Civic Symphony and served on the Houston Symphony Board, where he chaired the Artistic Affairs and Music Director Selection Committees.
He is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, a former Board Member of the Post Oak School, and a longtime supporter of community organizations including the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Helping a Hero, and the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.
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