Blacklock is replacing retired Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, while Abbott's legal adviser James Sullivan takes the open spot on the bench.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday appointed one of his office's former lawyers to the Texas Supreme Court and another to replace the court's Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, who retired last month. Abbott's general counsel James P.

Justice Jimmy Blacklock, a conservative ally of Gov. Greg Abbott, has been named the new chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court.

Hecht is the longest-tenured Supreme Court justice in Texas history. He won six reelections and led the court as chief justice for more than a decade.

Abbott originally appointed Blacklock to the high court as the Place 2 justice in 2018. Abbott's general counsel James Sullivan will replace Blacklock as a new justice.

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht leaves a legacy of legal wisdom, low-income litigant advocacy and a blueprint for judicial conservatism in the wake of his mandatory retirement.