Full Name
Hon. Don R. Willett
Job Title
U.S. Circuit Judge
Court or Organization
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Speaker Bio
Willett, Don R.
Born 1966 in Dallas, TX
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Nominated by Donald J. Trump on October 3, 2017, to a seat vacated by Emilio M. Garza. Confirmed by the Senate on December 13, 2017, and received commission on January 2, 2018.
Education:
Baylor University, B.B.A., 1988
Duke University School of Law, J.D., 1992
Duke University, M.A., 1992
Duke University School of Law, LL.M., 2016
Professional Career:
Law clerk, Hon. Jerre S. Williams, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 1992-1993
Private practice, Austin, Texas, 1993-1996
Director of research and special projects, Office of Gov. George W. Bush, Texas, 1996-2000
Domestic policy and special projects advisor, George W. Bush presidential campaign and transition team, 2000-2001
Special assistant to President George W. Bush, 2001-2002
Deputy assistant attorney general, U.S. Department of Justice, 2002-2003
Deputy attorney general for legal counsel, State of Texas, 2003-2005
Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, 2005-2017
Born 1966 in Dallas, TX
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Nominated by Donald J. Trump on October 3, 2017, to a seat vacated by Emilio M. Garza. Confirmed by the Senate on December 13, 2017, and received commission on January 2, 2018.
Education:
Baylor University, B.B.A., 1988
Duke University School of Law, J.D., 1992
Duke University, M.A., 1992
Duke University School of Law, LL.M., 2016
Professional Career:
Law clerk, Hon. Jerre S. Williams, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 1992-1993
Private practice, Austin, Texas, 1993-1996
Director of research and special projects, Office of Gov. George W. Bush, Texas, 1996-2000
Domestic policy and special projects advisor, George W. Bush presidential campaign and transition team, 2000-2001
Special assistant to President George W. Bush, 2001-2002
Deputy assistant attorney general, U.S. Department of Justice, 2002-2003
Deputy attorney general for legal counsel, State of Texas, 2003-2005
Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, 2005-2017
Speaking At
