Opinion
08-19-00085-CV
06-24-2021
TOMAS GUTIERREZ, Appellant, v. MARY JANE RIOS, Appellee.
Appeal from the 143rd District Court of Reeves County, Texas (TC# 17-05-21962-CVR)
Before Rodriguez, C.J., Palafox and Alley, JJ.
ORDER
PER CURIAM
James D. Lucas is listed as an attorney of record for a party in this appeal. County records indicate that James D. Lucas currently serves as an associate judge for the 388th District Court of El Paso County.
The Texas Code of Judicial Conduct restricts an active judge's ability to engage in the practice of law. See Tex. Code Jud. Conduct, Canon 4(G), reprinted in Tex. Gov't Code Ann., tit. 2, subtit. G, app. B (establishing that a judge shall not practice law except as permitted by statute or this Code); see also Canon 5(A)(2)(requiring a full-time commissioner, master, magistrate, or referee of a district court to comply with all canons including Canon 4(G)); Canon 5(D)(stating that a part-time commissioner, master, magistrate, or referree of a district court should not practice law "in any court subject to the appellate jurisdiction of the court which he or she serves . . . ")
As of this date, Judge Lucas has not filed a motion to withdraw or substitution in this matter. See Tex.R.App.P. 6.5. The Court has attempted to ascertain whether Judge Lucas intends to continue his representation of the party in this appeal and, if so, by what authority, but Judge Lucas' status as attorney in this matter remains unclear.
Therefore, to expedite a decision and for other good cause, the Court orders James D. Lucas to either (1) file a motion to withdraw as counsel or a motion to substitute counsel that complies with Tex.R.App.P. 6.5, or, in the alternative, (2) provide this Court with a written explanation as to why Lucas may continue to serve as appellate counsel in this case while also serving as an associate judge of the 388th District Court. The motion to withdraw or substitute must strictly adhere to each requirement of Tex.R.App.P. 6.5 or will not be deemed timely.
Judge Lucas' response to this Order is due no later than 15 days from this date.
IT IS SO ORDERED.