JUDGE ROSS A. SEARS
(Senior Appellate Justice, Retired)

January 1970 -       Juris Doctorate degree from the University of                                     Houston College of Law

1970-1972 -         Assistant D.A. in Harris County, Texas

1972-1982 -   
Criminal defense attorney and Special Criminal Prosecutor                             
Civil trial attorney, representing both plaintiffs and defendants  in civil litigation in eight states and four
foreign countries

Partner in the law firm of Doherty, Vela  Poser, Sears & Collins                   

1982-1994 - Justice for the 14th Court of Appeals
               (retired December 31, 1994)

1995-Present
Sitting by assignment on appellate and district  courts in  the state. Trial Judge for civil disputes and felony criminal trials.

Assigned by Chief Justice Tom Phillips for two  years to the 14th Court of Appeals as part of a  "Task Force" to eliminate case backlog.  

Served as mediator by appointment of district and appellate courts and by agreement of the parties.