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United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas since 1992. Nominated by President George H.W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Appointed by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist in 1996 as a member and in 2003 as chair of the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Appointed by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. as chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure in 2007. Led the effort to revise the federal class action rule, which resulted in the first significant amendments to that rule since 1966. Leader in civil justice reform efforts in the U.S. and a frequent participant in international conferences on civil justice reform. Prior to judicial appointment, was a partner at Baker Botts LLP, Houston. Specializes in court rules and procedural reform, with much work on discovery, including electronic discovery, and aggregate, mass-claim litigation, including class actions; and in improving civil justice administration in by reducing barriers to access, costs, and delay to fair resolution. Routinely gives lectures around the country to lawyers, bar groups, and courts and judges on discovery, aggregate litigation, and case management.