Austin Reeve Jackson announces candidacy for Judge of the 114th District Court

Austin Reeve Jackson announces candidacy for Judge of the 114th District Court

Tyler, TX – Today, Austin Reeve Jackson announced his candidacy for Judge of the 114th District Court.  Jackson is a 3rd generation Smith County attorney who has practiced criminal law in Tyler for over a decade.

“As someone who has handled hundreds of criminal cases in Smith County, with a large percentage of those in the 114th, I understand firsthand the serious nature of the cases that come before this bench,” Jackson said. “I came back home to Smith County almost 12 years ago to start my business and raise my family, and I want to work to protect our beliefs and values.”

Jackson grew up in Lindale and graduated from Lindale High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Dallas and his law degree from Texas Tech University. He is currently a seminary student at Fuller Evangelical Seminary.

In 2012, Jackson became the youngest attorney in Texas to be double board-certified in criminal trial law and criminal appellate law. He was the 2013 Smith County Young Lawyer of the Year and has nine times been named a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star, which is an honor bestowed upon the top 2.5% of Texas attorneys. Jackson is also a member of the Texas Bar Foundation, a group consisting of the top 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys.

Texas State Representative Matt Shaefer has announced his support for the candidate.

“I trust Reeve Jackson,” stated Schaefer, “He will do the most important thing a judge can do: follow the law with fairness and integrity. He is an expert in criminal law, and very smart. He has my complete support.”

In 2008, Jackson founded The Jackson Law Firm in Tyler, where he practices criminal trial law and criminal appellate law. Prior to starting his firm, he was a prosecutor in Gregg County where he rose to become the chief appellate attorney for the office.  In addition to his appellate duties, Jackson prosecuted both adult and juvenile offenders and oversaw the County’s mental health commitments.

Since returning to his hometown, Jackson has become very active in the community, volunteering hundreds of hours to youth soccer organizations and serving as a soccer referee from children’s recreational leagues all the way through the collegiate level. He is a member of Leadership Tyler Catalyst 100, is a former Republican Party Precinct Chair, and currently sits on the boards of Historic Tyler and the Hispanic Business Alliance.

Jackson has also been active in the legal community, serving on the boards for the Smith County Young Lawyers Association and the Smith County Bar Association. As an SCBA board member, he led the effort to provide free legal services to United States veterans living in and around Smith County.

Jackson is married to Dr. Laura Kenesson Jackson, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Dallas. Laura works at The University of Texas at Tyler, serves as Immediate Past President of Leadership Tyler and currently sits on the board for PATH. They have two children, Maryellen and Allison. Reeve and Laura are members of Marvin United Methodist Church where they both teach Sunday School.