MEET JUDGE JENNIFER WALKER ELROD
For nearly seventeen years, Jennifer Walker Elrod has served as a circuit judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Prior to serving as a circuit judge, Judge Elrod was appointed and then twice elected judge of the 190th District Court of Harris County, Texas, where she spent over five years presiding over more than 200 jury and non-jury trials.
Judge Elrod graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she was an active member of the Harvard Federalist Society, an Ames Moot Court finalist, and a senior editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. She clerked for the Honorable Sim Lake in the Southern District of Texas. Before serving as a judge, Judge Elrod worked in private practice, focusing on civil litigation, antitrust, and employment matters.
Judge Elrod is actively engaged in the academic and legal communities. Judge Elrod is a former member of the board of regents of her alma mater, Baylor University, and a member of the board of advisors for the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, the board of visitors at Brigham Young University Law School, and the American Law Institute. She serves as the chair of the Codes of Conduct Committee for the Judicial Conference of the United States. She currently serves as jurist in residence at South Texas College of Law Houston. She has also served as the M.D. Anderson Visiting Public Service Professor at the Texas Tech University School of Law and as Jurist-in-Residence at Brigham Young University Law School, and she has taught legal writing at the University of Houston Law Center. She presented the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Distinguished Lecture at the Washington and Lee University School of Law and is a frequent speaker on the topics of trial and appellate procedure, ethics, employment law, and constitutional law. Judge Elrod also serves on the board of the Garland Walker Inn of Court, and co-produces an annual musical CLE, for which her pupilage group has won multiple national awards.
How long have you been a member of the Houston Bar Association, and what motivated you to join?
I have been an HBA member since I was a junior associate. I wanted to join because I was interested in being more involved in the bar’s activities, getting to know other lawyers, and expanding my opportunities to serve the community.
What specific benefits or opportunities have you gained through your HBA membership?
I have had the opportunity to meet so many great people through the HBA and to work on projects that have benefitted the community. Some of my most memorable involvements with the HBA have included participating in LegalLine, the Lawyers for Literacy Committee, the Bench Bar Committee, the Teach Texas Committee, and the Communities In Schools (CIS) Committee.
Are there any particular HBA programs, events, or committees that have made a significant difference in your professional life?
I have enjoyed serving as a co-chair on multiple education-oriented committees. I am very passionate about civic education and helping children learn about our laws and legal system. One opportunity that I really enjoyed was serving as co-chair of Teach Texas. Through that program, we had the opportunity to teach Texas legal history to seventh graders throughout Houston. It was a meaningful experience and in addition to interacting with the students, I consider myself fortunate to have worked alongside such passionate and excellent lawyers in the program.
How do you actively engage with other HBA members or contribute to the HBA community?
Participating in service opportunities has been a great way to engage with other members. One way I did this was volunteering with Lawyers for Literacy. I have fond memories sorting books alongside colleagues and friends for one of the largest book drives that the committee has had, with my newborn baby at my side.
Have you participated in any HBA mentorship programs? If yes, how has the experience influenced your career journey?
Yes, I have had the opportunity to mentor more junior lawyers throughout my membership. I think that the most meaningful mentorship opportunities stem from working side-by-side with others to accomplish a goal together.
What advice would you give to fellow attorneys considering joining the Houston Bar Association?
Whether it is the Houston Bar Association or another legal association, I would encourage lawyers to search for opportunities where they can do things for the good of the community and also access necessary tools to advance their skills and education so that they can uphold the standards of our profession.
In your opinion, what sets the Houston Bar Association apart from other legal organizations or professional associations?
In my job, I have the opportunity to work with lawyers from all over the country. I have found that the Houston legal community is warm, people are generous with their time and talents, and they are fun to be around.