Wallace Jefferson, First African-American Texas Supreme Court Justice, Announces Resignation

Pioneering Justice Announces Resignation
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson is shown in this image provided by the Texas Supreme Court. Jefferson, the first black member of the state?s highest civil court, said Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, he plans to resign effective Oct. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Texas Supreme Court)
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson is shown in this image provided by the Texas Supreme Court. Jefferson, the first black member of the state?s highest civil court, said Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, he plans to resign effective Oct. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Texas Supreme Court)

Sept 3 (Reuters) - Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, the first African-American to serve on the court, said on Tuesday he plans to resign effective Oct. 1.

Jefferson, 50, was appointed to the court by Governor Rick Perry in 2001 who named him chief justice in 2004.

Before joining the state Supreme Court, Jefferson practiced appellate law with a San Antonio firm. He has not decided what he will do after he steps down, the court said in a statement.

Jefferson's current term runs through 2014.

"I am most proud to have worked with my colleagues to increase the public's access to the legal system, which guarantees the rights conferred by our Constitutions," Jefferson said in a statement.

During his tenure as chief justice, the Texas Supreme Court began allowing cameras for live coverage of oral arguments and requiring lawyers to file appellate briefs electronically that are available to the public through the court's website. (Reporting by David Bailey; Editing by Scott Malone and Leslie Gevirtz)

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