Democratic
Justice, 14th Court of Appeals Place 3: Jerry Zimmerer
This primary race presents voters with a choice between two candidates who each offer different strengths.
Jerry Zimmerer, who earned two Master of Law degrees from University of Houston Law Center in addition to his law degree from South Texas College of Law, considers this judicial bench an academic job. He has spent close to 25 years in private practice, and yet the candidate had trouble touting any cases where he fought for justice or had a lasting impact on jurisprudence in Texas.
His opponent, Joseph R. Willie II, is a retired dentist and Navy veteran in addition to being a lawyer, and he pointed to several significant appellate cases where he successfully advocated for the innocent and underdogs. However, Willie’s law license twice suffered a fully probated suspension imposed by the State Bar of Texas for running afoul of professional codes. At the end of the day, it’s hard to endorse someone with blots on his record even if he evinces the passion for the law that Willie demonstrates.
Our nod goes to Zimmerer, 63, who switched parties decades ago, noting that the Republican Party “has left me as it has left a lot of people.” The candidate, also a former corporate counsel, is credentialed in domestic and international commercial arbitration by the A.A. White Institute and is currently a member of the Board of Advisors to the Health Law and Policy Institute at UH Law Center. Zimmerer displays the requisite judicial temperament and said he would like to see the 14th Court of Appeals give more deference to jury verdicts.
A combination of Zimmerer’s academic background with Willie’s passion and experience would be closer to the makings of an ideal appellate judge. But we have to choose, and voters should back Zimmerer to run against Republican incumbent Justice Brett Busby in November.
Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 8: Michele Barber Chimene
Michele Barber Chimene, our choice for Democratic nominee, has 25 years of experience practicing appellate law and has handled more than 50 civil appeals. It’s preferable that candidates have appellate experience for this bench, as the rules governing appeals are different than the rules of civil procedure that govern trials.
Chimene, 60, is a University of Houston Law Center graduate and started her career as a geologist. She is admitted to practice before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, and told the Houston Chronicle editorial board that she firmly believes the Legislature should make the law, and the judiciary should just apply it.
Margaret “Meg” Poissant, her opponent, has limited appellate experience, which makes this position a bit of a stretch. She has a record of involvement in civic organizations, such as Super Neighborhoods, that would make her an excellent candidate for City Council. However, Democratic voters should want a judicial candidate ready to rule from the bench on day one, and that means voting for Chimene to face Republican incumbent Justice John Donovan.