Trump to Nominate Hendrix to be Federal Judge Over the Northern District of Texas in Lubbock

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Wes Hendrix, an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, to become the federal judge presiding over the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, based in Lubbock.

Hendrix will take over for Senior U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings. Cummings, who has served the federal court in Lubbock since 1987, assumed senior status in 2014 after President Barrack Obama nominated Hendrix then. The U.S. Senate never confirmed Hendrix’s appointment, while Cummings was taking fewer and fewer cases each year.

Hendrix was nominated along with Mark Pittman for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Fort Worth, and Sean Jordan for the Eastern District of Texas in Plano. All nominations were recommended by both U.S. Senators from Texas, Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.

“I was happy to recommend Wes, Mark, and Sean to the President,” Sen. Cruz said in a statement. “They each bring to the bench a proven record of professionalism and excellence. I commend the President for these nominations and urge my colleagues to quickly confirm them to the bench.”

“I applaud President Trump’s nomination of these Texans, who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and a penchant for public service,” said Sen. Cornyn in a statement. “Texans will be well-served by these individuals on the bench, and I look forward to working with my colleagues for their swift confirmation.”

From the Lubbock courtroom, Hendrix will preside over federal cases originating in Lubbock, Abilene, and San Angelo.

Hendrix has served as the Chief of the Appellate Division for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas since 2012, and he has served as an Assistant United States Attorney since 2007. Since 2015, he has also served on the Appellate Chiefs Working Group for the United States Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.

Hendrix is a 2003 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin School of Law where he earned his J.D. with High Honors. Prior to that, he earned his B.A., with Honors, from the University of Chicago. Hendrix is a Lubbock High School graduate.

Prior to joining the government in 2007, Mr. Hendrix was an associate in the Dallas, Texas, office of Baker Botts L.L.P., where his practice focused on complex civil litigation. After graduating from law school, he served as a law clerk to Judge Patrick Higginbotham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

All federal judge nominations must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.