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Ballotpedia, David Schenck

David was born in Syracuse, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and economics from the University at Albany and a law degree from Baylor University. He is a Christian and a member of the Highland Park Methodist Church. He is married and has 2 children.

David previously served as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel in the Office of Attorney General Greg Abbott from 2010 to 2012. He has also worked in private practice.

David J. Schenck was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals by Governor Rick Perry in 2015 and served until 2022. He previously served as Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

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As Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel, led the team defending the state’s redistricting plans until 2012.

Served as Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which oversees the state judiciary.

As Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which oversees the state judiciary.

- As Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel, led the team defending the state’s redistricting plans until 2012.
- As Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which oversees the state judiciary.

Legal Experience

Believes every case important enough to warrant review should be argued remotely if necessary to accommodate health or travel concerns.

Believes the court should hear twice as many cases and decide them within months, not years.

Plans to advocate for an efficient justice system and the implementation of ethics rules.

Believes in keeping judicial systems free from outside influence.

Supports keeping judicial systems free from outside influence.

- Believes every case important enough to warrant review should be argued remotely if necessary to accommodate health or travel concerns.
- Believes the court should hear twice as many cases and decide them within months, not years.
- Plans to advocate for an efficient justice system and the implementation of ethics rules.
- Supports keeping judicial systems free from outside influence.

Judicial Administration

Believes all citizens are entitled to be heard by judges who are free from bias and competent in the law.

Believes in upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and supporting an honest, competent, and impartial judiciary for all Texans.

Supports upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and supporting an honest, competent, and impartial judiciary for all Texans.

Believes in strict recusal standards to prevent bias and supports regulating judicial fundraising to ensure impartiality.

- Believes all citizens are entitled to be heard by judges who are free from bias and competent in the law.
- Supports upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and supporting an honest, competent, and impartial judiciary for all Texans.
- Believes in strict recusal standards to prevent bias and supports regulating judicial fundraising to ensure impartiality.

Judicial Philosophy

Board certified in civil appellate law, a member of the American Law Institute, and a Master of the Bench of the Patrick Higginbotham Inn of Court.

- Board certified in civil appellate law, a member of the American Law Institute, and a Master of the Bench of the Patrick Higginbotham Inn of Court.

Community Involvement

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David J. Schenck

David J. Schenck graduated first in his class at Baylor Law School. He is a Christian and a member of the Highland Park Methodist Church. He is married and has two children who attend Dallas public schools.

David J. Schenck is a former Justice on the Fifth District Court of Appeals, appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2015 and elected to a full term in 2016. He previously served as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel in the Office of Attorney General Greg Abbott from 2010 to 2012. He has also led the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct and worked in private practice.

David J. Schenck was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals by Governor Rick Perry in 2015 and was elected to a full term in 2016. He served as Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct. He is currently running for the position of Presiding Judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

As chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, advocated for a fair and competent judiciary.

Has experience in private practice and public service at high levels of state government.

Received the highest "AV" rating from Martindale Hubbell, an attorney rating service, for professional excellence, skill, and integrity.

The candidate's website says, "As the TLR Advocate recently summarized, he 'is a skilled and competent judge with over 25 years in private practice and government service.'  'Republican Justice David Schenck is arguably the most qualified Justice who's ever sat on the 5th Court of Appeals' (Texas Lawyer, 2015)."

Believes in proper handling of Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA) cases.

Believes in addressing "troubling procedural irregularities" in judicial administration, as highlighted by TLR's investigation of the Dallas Court of Appeals.

Plans to make judicial administration a focus of his campaign for Presiding Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Believes the rules for Texas courts and judges should be made by the state’s two highest courts, the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Believes Texas needs "criminal courts that are fair and that work."

Believes in upholding a "fair and impartial" judiciary.

Supports the organization Texans for a Responsible Judiciary.

Believes litigants in multi-member appellate courts face uncertainty about potential coordination or direction among judges regarding interests at stake.

Believes the Court of Criminal Appeals is essential for ensuring efficient and fair criminal law operation in Texas.

Believes the court's judges issue opinions slowly and less frequently than other appellate courts, causing uncertainty in legal rationale and process.

Believes in prioritizing the rule of law over collegiality in judicial decisions.

Believes the judiciary’s authority relies on public confidence in its integrity and impartiality, saying that "confidence has been shaken" in Texas and elsewhere.

- Voters of the entire state select the presiding judge of the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term. There are no term limits, but judges must retire at 75 years or older.
- They lead the court and set the agenda for its meetings and decisions, including which cases to hear.
- They represent the court in official matters and may speak on behalf of the court in public or with other branches of government.
- Presiding judges earn a base salary of $210,000 to $264,600, depending on how long they have served, plus an extra $14,700 for the presiding role.

One of nine judges who serves on the highest appeals court for criminal matters in Texas. 