Chief Justice administers oath, charges new Texas lawyers with candor and zealous advocacy

Jimmy Blacklock, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, administered the lawyer’s oath during a joint session with the Court of Criminal Appeals and addressed the duties that accompany admission to the bar.

Chief Justice Blacklock told new lawyers, “You will owe a duty of zealous advocacy to the people you represent, but you will also owe a duty of candor and honesty to the courts in which you appear, and you will owe a duty to the courts and to the public to practice law in a way that truly supports the constitutions of The United States, and of Texas.” He then led the class in the oath, stating, “Please raise your right hands. I, Jimmy Blacklock, do solemnly swear that I will support the constitutions of The United States and of this state, That I will honestly demean myself. In the practice of law.”

Duane Massey of the Board of Law Examiners presented the list of successful examinees to the court before the oath, saying the people on the list “has successfully passed the February 2025 Texas Bar Examination, or have otherwise satisfied the examination requirement, and have completed all other requirements for licensing in the rules governing admission to the bar of Texas.”

Summer Shaw, the highest scorer on the February 2025 bar exam, spoke on behalf of the class and reflected on perseverance: “We’ve walked through the same fires, those long dense outlines, the practice tests, the late night doubts. We’ve shared this distinct rite of passage.” She closed by urging new lawyers to consider how they will use the authority the oath confers.

Chief Justice Blacklock concluded by reminding admittees, citing Justice Jane Bland, that “no matter how hard you're working, no matter what challenges you face in your professional life, your professional life is not your whole life,” and advised them to “always save the very best part of yourself for the people you love.” The courts then adjourned.