Janis Graham Jack Explained

Janis Graham Jack
Office:	Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Term Start:	June 1, 2011
Office1:	Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Term Start1:	March 11, 1994
Term End1:	June 1, 2011
Appointer1:	Bill Clinton
Predecessor1:	Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Successor1:	David S. Morales
Birth Name:	Janis Ann Graham
Birth Date:	28 May 1946
Birth Place:	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education:	University of St. Thomas (Nursing Diploma) University of Baltimore (BA)

Janis Ann Graham Jack^[1] (born May 28, 1946) is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Education and career

Jack was born in Los Angeles. She received a registered nursing diploma from St. Thomas School of Nursing (part of the University of St. Thomas) in 1969, a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Baltimore in 1974, and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law in 1981. She was in private practice in Corpus Christi, Texas from 1981 to 1993.^{[2] [3]}

Federal judicial service

On November 19, 1993, Jack was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas created by 104 Stat. 5089. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 10, 1994, and received her commission on March 11, 1994. She assumed senior status on June 1, 2011.

Notable rulings

In June 2005, Jack threw out about 9,000 suits against US Silica corp.^[4]

In 2015, Jack ruled in favor of plaintiffs in a class action suit (M.D. v. Abbott) on behalf of 10,000-plus foster children in care of the State of Texas, saying leaders were violating the constitutional rights of the children in its long-term foster care.^[5] With much of her ruling sustained on appeal, Jack continues to supervise the case as late as 2024, holding the State in contempt of court and often expressing “disgust“ at the State of Texas’ failure to care for foster children.^{[6] [7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Hearings before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, Second Session, on Confirmation of Appointees to the Federal Judiciary, January 27; February 3, 24; March 2, 3, 10, and 16, 1994. 638. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1995.
2. Book: Confirmation Hearings on Federal Appointments: Hearings Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, First Session on Confirmations of Appointees to the Federal Judiciary . U.S. Government Printing Office . Confirmation Hearings on Federal Appointments: Hearings Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, First Session on Confirmations of Appointees to the Federal Judiciary . v. 4, pt. 2 . 1995 . October 11, 2021 . 638.
3. Web site: Judge Janis Graham Jack is our 2016 Texan of the Year . Dallas Morning News Interactives . December 23, 2016 . October 12, 2021.
4. Kimberly Strassel, "Ulizio: He fought the Tort Bar—and Won", Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2009.
5. Web site: M.D. v. Abbott . Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse . October 11, 2021.
6. ”Editorial: Righteous anger, disgust at treatment of foster kids,” San Antonio Express-News, October 17, 2020.
7. Web site: Bohra . Neelam . Judge says Texas officials need to speed up foster care reforms . The Texas Tribune . February 9, 2021 . October 11, 2021.
8. Web site: Oxner . Reese . 2022-03-30 . Judge loses trust in Texas' child abuse investigation of foster care facility and calls for federal inquiry . 2022-03-31 . The Texas Tribune . en.