Bruce Williams

Williams attended Texas Tech University and BYU for his undergraduate degree. He earned his J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1982. His professional experience includes working as a litigation attorney.[1]

Organizations

As of his 2020 campaign, Williams was affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

Member of American Board of Trial Advocates, Rank Advocate

Member of Texas Association of Defense Counsel

Member Texas State Bar|Member Mississippi State Bar

Life Fellow Texas Bar Foundation

Board Certified by Texas Board of Legal Specialization - Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

In the 2020 Texas State Bar Judicial Poll, 88% of attorneys voting chose me over my opponent. Former 11th Appellate Court Justice Rick Strange has endorsed me. Less than 1% of attorneys in Texas are board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law. I am board certified in Civil Trial Law. For 37 years my practice has been trying cases in Texas courtrooms before many Texas Courts of Appeals with multiple important cases before the Texas Supreme Court. Since 2015 I have been recognized every year as one of Texas' Top Attorneys in Business Litigation, as published in Texas Monthly or the Dallas Morning News. I was appointed to and served on the Texas State Bar Administration of Rules of Evidence Committee for 9 years and I chaired that Rules of Evidence of Committee for 3 years.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The 11th Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over 28 counties in Texas going from Odessa down the I-20 corridor, including Midland, Abilene, Stephenville, Brownwood, Mineral Wells and many other important West Texas towns and cities. This court impacts your life, liberty and property. With limited exception, it is the court of appeal for all cases - criminal or civil - tried within those 28 counties and then appealed. The Texas Supreme Court only takes 8% of cases seeking further appeal from the Court of Appeals, so the 11th Court of Appeals in practicality becomes the court of last resort for the remaining cases.When Texans have their lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance of an appellate court, they want to know that their case is in the hands of the MOST EXPERIENCED JURISTS with the very best legal minds, who, before taking the bench, have ACTUALLY been in battles in the courtroom and understand intimately the law and its application to the particularities of their lives and businesses. If you were choosing someone to build your house, you would not choose someone who just read about how to build a house. Rather, you want someone who has actually built houses, a lot of them, and has been very successful at it. The decisions made in your case will be precedent and will effect and be standing law for everyone living in those 28 counties.A very large part of my practice has included cases have involved drilling, fracking, completing methods, drilling rigs, pulling units, spudding units, lifting units, tank batteries, heater treaters, SWD facilities. More importantly, the latter part of my career has been in oil and gas law, mineral conveyances, lease construction, proration unit determination, rules for for retained acreage, pipelines, the infra structure needed to get produced oil and gas to the market and the commercial litigation that results from that. My oil and gas litigation/appellate experience is extensive. Cases that take 4 years to prepare and 3 weeks of trial before court and jury and months and years to get through the appellate courts and the Supreme Court.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Because I am a judicial candidate, I cannot take a position on political matters that might come before me. See the three key messages above.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

1. Jesus Christ; 2. Abraham Lincoln. I look up to Christ because he is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I look up to Lincoln because he made difficult decisions in difficult circumstances and did not falter in making the right choices.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelve Angry Men

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty, hard work, traditional Christian values.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Honesty and render justice in a prompt matter.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I worked hard and was honest in my personal life and my professional life.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

John Glen orbiting the earth. The Kennedy/Nixon debates on TV (my Dad made us watch them). The assassination of JFK. I was in grade school for all of these events.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job out of law school was with the Cotton Bledsoe law firm. I have been a trial attorney at this firm for 37 years.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

See Key message no. 1.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

I will not legislate from the bench. I am a strict constitutionalist.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

U. S. District Judge Royal Ferguson, Western District of Texas. He treated everyone with respect and engendered a feeling of teamwork in the courtroom to achieve a just result.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Personally, yes. But, it must not over-influence the application of justice.

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

The Texas State Bar Judicial Poll gave me an 88% endorsement by the attorneys who voted.

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I understand the court system like few others due to my considerable experience. It is time for me to give back to the people of Texas.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily. What is important is that they have extensive courtroom, appellate court and Texas Supreme Court experience.

What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?

Fair justice. Prompt justice. The expense of litigation is a concern. Equal justice for those who are unable to afford an attorney.

What do you consider the greatest opportunity for the legal system in your state?

Provide equal justice to all people.

Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?

No.

Do you believe that Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge’s ability?

Not always, but when they are done anonymously they can be a true reflection of what those who know really believe.