Cory Carlyle earned a B. A. in government and history from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001 and a J. D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2005. He is married to his wife, Misty. Cory and Misty live in Dallas.

Cory Carlyle - Ballotpedia

Hon. Cory L. Carlyle

Cory Carlyle earned a bachelor's degree in government and history from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. He lives with his wife, Misty, in Dallas.

Cory is an attorney with the appellate section at Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons in Dallas. He previously served as a justice on the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas for six years. Before taking the bench, he worked as an assistant district attorney in the appellate section of the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, an assistant attorney general with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, and a criminal defense attorney with his law firm, the Law Office of Cory L. Carlyle. He is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Cory Carlyle - Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP

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Cory currently works as a partner for Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons. He previously worked as a criminal defense and appellate attorney for the Law Office of Cory L. Carlyle. He also worked as an assistant attorney general in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, an associate counsel for the Veterans Affairs Board of Veterans Appeals, a contract attorney for Clutch Group, an assistant district attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, and a law clerk for Daw & Ray.

Cory previously served as a judge for Place 11 of the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals from 2019 to 2024.

Cory previously served as a Judge for Place 11 of the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals. He served one term from 2019 to 2024. He ran for re-election in 2024, but he did not win.

As a partner at Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, manages key client relationships for one year, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients in civil cases in state and federal courts.

Cory Carlyle has experience as an assistant district attorney in the appellate section of the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, an assistant attorney general in Washington, D.C., and as a criminal defense attorney in his own law firm. He holds a B.A. in government and history and a J.D. from law school.

As a state district court judge in the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals for six years, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As a criminal defense and appellate attorney for the Law Office of Cory L. Carlyle for nine years, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and civil appellate work.

As an assistant attorney general for one year, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under both state and federal law, advised state and federal government officials and agencies on legal matters, conducted legal research and document drafting, and may have mentored or supervised legal staff.

- As a partner at Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, manages key client relationships for one year, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients in civil cases in state and federal courts.
- As a state district court judge in the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals for six years, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As a criminal defense and appellate attorney for the Law Office of Cory L. Carlyle for nine years, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and civil appellate work.
- As an assistant attorney general for one year, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under both state and federal law, advised state and federal government officials and agencies on legal matters, conducted legal research and document drafting, and may have mentored or supervised legal staff.

Legal Experience

As a state district court judge in the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, authored over 350 opinions and sat on a panel for a thousand more.

- As a state district court judge in the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, authored over 350 opinions and sat on a panel for a thousand more.

Judicial Administration

stare decisis - Cornell Law Center

Believes that stare decisis is essential to the judiciary, judges must remain neutral and apply the law as written to preserve the rule of law.

Believes that judges must remain neutral, apply the law as written, and that stare decisis is essential to the judiciary, where courts adhere to precedent in prior cases.

- Believes that judges must remain neutral, apply the law as written, and that stare decisis is essential to the judiciary, where courts adhere to precedent in prior cases.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, Cory L. Carlyle’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Served on the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health for two years.

- Served on the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health for two years.

Community Involvement

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Cory L. Carlyle

Matthew Tomas

Walter Ley

Maggie Ellis is originally from Texas. She earned an associate’s degree in Spanish from Austin Community College, a bachelor's degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas at Austin, and a law degree from Baylor University School of Law. Ellis lives in Georgetown with her husband and has four children and grandchildren.

Maggie is a judge. She works at the Texas Third District Court of Appeals, where she has been since January 2025. She previously served as an administrative law judge, as a prosecutor in Texas, and as a trial attorney representing families, children, business owners, and individuals in civil, family, juvenile, and criminal court matters.

Maggie Ellis - Ballotpedia

Overcoming Poverty, Abandonment, Texas Woman Running for Judge

Maggie previously worked as an attorney in private practice, an assistant district attorney for Travis County, and an administrative law judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Maggie Ellis is currently a judge for Place 2 of the Texas Third District Court of Appeals. She was elected in 2024 and is serving her first term.

UT alumna becomes first openly queer woman elected to Texas ...

Maggie currently serves as a justice on the Texas Third Court of Appeals for Texas, Place 2. She was first elected in 2024 and is in her first term. Ellis is currently running for a new office as Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Ellis previously ran for the 200th District Court in 2020 but did not win.

Has 15 years of experience as an administrative law judge, prosecutor, and trial attorney, representing families, children, business owners, and individuals in various court matters.

As an administrative law judge, prosecutor, and trial attorney, represented families, children, business owners, and individuals in various court matters.

Board certified in juvenile law and a certified specialist in child welfare law.

As a state court of appeals judge, ensures the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercises the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of fact or law by lower appeals and trial courts, and hears applications for court orders that require and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials.

- As an administrative law judge, prosecutor, and trial attorney, represented families, children, business owners, and individuals in various court matters.
- Board certified in juvenile law and a certified specialist in child welfare law.
- As a state court of appeals judge, ensures the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercises the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of fact or law by lower appeals and trial courts, and hears applications for court orders that require and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials.

Emphasizes efficiency, thorough preparedness, and responsible case management.

Advocates for accessible and responsive appellate courts.

- Emphasizes efficiency, thorough preparedness, and responsible case management.
- Advocates for accessible and responsive appellate courts.

Committed to fairness, due process, and equal treatment under the law.

Brings a lived understanding of the justice system and the real-world impact of court decisions on families and individuals.

- Committed to fairness, due process, and equal treatment under the law.
- Brings a lived understanding of the justice system and the real-world impact of court decisions on families and individuals.

Emphasizes integrity, impartiality, and ethical responsibility.

- Emphasizes integrity, impartiality, and ethical responsibility.

Volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Helping Hand Home, Leander ISD (PTA President, Vice President, Zoning Board), as a volunteer Spanish and English teacher and mentor, and an AISD HOSTS mentor.

Participated in pro bono legal work and advocacy for underserved populations.

- Volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Helping Hand Home, Leander ISD (PTA President, Vice President, Zoning Board), as a volunteer Spanish and English teacher and mentor, and an AISD HOSTS mentor.
- Participated in pro bono legal work and advocacy for underserved populations.

Maggie Ellis

- As an administrative law judge, prosecutor, and trial attorney, represented families, children, business owners, and individuals in various court matters.
- Board certified in juvenile law and a certified specialist in child welfare law.

Maggie Ellis is originally from Texas. She earned an associate’s degree in Spanish from Austin Community College, a Bachelor of Science in applied learning and development from the University of Texas at Austin, and a law degree from Baylor University School of Law. Ellis lives in Georgetown with her husband and has four children and grandchildren.

Maggie currently works as a Justice on the Texas Third Court of Appeals. She previously worked as an attorney in private practice, an Assistant District Attorney for Travis County, and an Administrative Law Judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Maggie currently serves as a Justice on the Texas Third Court of Appeals for Texas, Place 2. She was first elected in 2024 and is in her 1st term. Ellis is currently running for a new office as Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Ellis previously ran for the 200th District Court in 2020 but did not win.

- Has 15 years of experience as an administrative law judge, prosecutor, and trial attorney, representing families, children, business owners, and individuals in various court matters.
- Specialized background in juvenile and child welfare law.

- Committed to fairness, due process, and equal treatment under the law.
- Worldview shaped by lived experience and exposure to the justice system.

- Emphasis on integrity, impartiality, and ethical responsibility.

- Has 15 years of experience as an administrative law judge, prosecutor, and trial attorney, representing families, children, business owners, and individuals in various court matters.
- Specialized background in juvenile and child welfare law

- Emphasizes efficiency, thorough preparedness, and responsible case management
- Advocates for accessible and responsive appellate courts.

- Committed to fairness, due process, and equal treatment under the law
- Worldview shaped by lived experience and exposure to the justice system

- Emphasis on integrity, impartiality, and ethical responsibility

- Volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Helping Hand Home, Leander ISD (PTA President, Vice President, Zoning Board), as a volunteer Spanish and English teacher and mentor, and an AISD HOSTS mentor.
- Participated in pro bono legal work and advocacy for underserved populations

- Supports a strong emphasis on efficiency, preparedness, and managing cases responsibly
- Focus on accessibility and responsiveness in appellate courts

- Volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Helping Hand Home, Leander ISD (PTA President, Vice President, Zoning Board), as a volunteer Spanish and English teacher and mentor, and an AISD HOSTS mentor.
- Pro bono legal work and advocacy for underserved populations

As of January 22, 2026, Maggie Ellis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- The Texas Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and eight additional justices, who decide civil cases brought to them as a group.
- The Court has administrative control over the State Bar of Texas, while serving as the sole authority for licensing attorneys and appointing members of the Board of Law Examiners that administers the bar exam.
- The Court approves new statewide rules, ranging from judicial administration, conduct, and education, to civil and appellate procedure.
- They serve as the final authority on civil cases, checking for any errors that occurred in the interpretation of the law by prior courts.
- The chief justice of the Supreme Court is elected in a partisan, state-wide election for a six-year term. Candidates must be registered to vote in the state of Texas, be at least 35 years old but not older than 75 years old, cannot be a convicted felon, must be a practicing lawyer and/or judge in the state of Texas for at least 10 years, and must have lived continuously in Texas for at least twelve months.
- The annual salary for the chief justice of the Supreme Court ranges from $224,700 and $279,300, depending on their years of service as a judge of selected courts or an elected attorney, along with years of contributing service credit to the Judicial Retirement System Plan (I or II) while serving as a state judge.

The leader of Texas’s highest civil court, administrating efficient justice.

Texas

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Texas Chief Justice, Supreme Court, Democratic Primary

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement