2026 Texas General Election

Charles van Cleef

Charles van Cleef was born in Fort Worth and raised in Tyler, Texas. He has lived in Longview, Texas for over 20 years. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law.

Governor Abbott Appoints Van Cleef To Sixth Court Of Appeals

Justice Charles van Cleef - Texas Courts

Charles is an attorney. He has practiced law for 30 years, including both trial and appellate law. He previously worked for the federal court in Tyler, Texas, while completing law school. After graduation, he continued to work for that court for several years. He also previously worked in private practice throughout East Texas. 

Charles is currently a justice on the Sixth Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court in April 2022.

Longview lawyer appointed to fill vacancy on Texarkana appeals court

Has 30 years of experience in state and federal courts, including both trial and appellate law.

As of July 22, 2026, Charles van Cleef’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Charles van Cleef was born in Fort Worth and raised in Tyler, Texas. He has lived in Longview, Texas for over 20 years. He received a bachelor 27s degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. 

Charles is an attorney. He has 30 years of experience in state and federal courts, including both trial and appellate law. He previously worked for the federal court in Tyler, Texas, and continued with that court for several years after graduation and licensure. In private practice, he worked throughout East Texas in state and federal courts, both trial and appellate. 

Charles van Cleef was born in Fort Worth and raised in Tyler, Texas; he has lived in Longview, Texas for over 20 years. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in 1992.

Charles is an attorney. He has served as a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals since 2022. He previously worked for the federal court in Tyler, Texas, and continued with that court for several years after graduation and licensure. He also worked in private practice throughout East Texas in state and federal courts, both trial and appellate. 

Charles is currently a justice on the 6th Court of Appeals. He was appointed in April 2022.

Charles is an attorney. He has practiced law for 30 years, including both trial and appellate law. He previously worked for the federal court in Tyler, Texas, and continued with that court for several years after graduation and licensure. He also worked in private practice throughout East Texas. 

Charles van Cleef was born in Fort Worth and raised in Tyler, Texas; he has lived in Longview, Texas for over 20 years. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in 1992.

Charles is an attorney. He has served as a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals since 2022. He previously worked for the federal court in Tyler, Texas, and continued with that court for several years after graduation and licensure. He also worked in private practice throughout East Texas in state and federal courts, handling both trial and appellate cases.

Buket Urgen

Charles van Cleef was born in Fort Worth and raised in Tyler, Texas. He has lived in Longview, Texas for over 20 years. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in 1992.

Charles is an attorney. He has practiced law for 30 years, including both trial and appellate law. He previously worked for the federal court in Tyler, Texas, while completing law school. After graduation, he continued to work for that court for several years. He has also worked in private practice throughout East Texas. 

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

- In Texas, appeals from district and county courts, except death penalty cases, go to one of 14 intermediate courts of appeal.
- There are a total of 80 appellate court seats, distributed variably among the courts based on population across the 14 districts.
- Courts with more than three justices decide cases in rotating panels of three.
- Justices are elected in partisan elections for six-year terms.
- The yearly salary for a Court of Appeals justice in Texas is between $192,500 and $255,050 based on the total number of years they have served.

Hears appeals on orders and decisions made by lower trial courts.