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

Blacklock replaces Nathan Hecht, the longest serving justice on the high court. Gov. Greg Abbott also appointed his general counsel, James Sullivan, to the bench.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Texas Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock to be the court’s chief justice and named James Sullivan as a justice Monday.

Abbott originally appointed Blacklock to the high court as the Place 2 justice in 2018. Blacklock previously worked for Abbott as the governor's general counsel.

Two days after being sworn in, the Arkansas Supreme Court’s new chief justice attempted to fire several employees of the state court system, which a majority of the court claimed was inappropriate, “unnecessary and unfortunate.

The South Dakota Supreme Court announced justices have selected current Chief Justice Steven Jensen to serve a second term as Chief Justice of South Dakota’s highest court. Chief Justice Jensen was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2017 and was initially selected as Chief Justice by the members of the

Abbott appointed Justice Jimmy Blacklock to serve as chief justice on the Supreme Court of Texas, the governor’s office announced Monday.

Five justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court on Friday attempted to block a move by Chief Justice Karen Baker to terminate 10 employees, including the directors of the Administrative Office of the Court.