SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 297

WHEREAS, The Honorable Lynn Ellison retired as judge of the 81st Judicial District Court on December 31, 2022, and his exemplary tenure in that office marked a notable chapter in a distinguished legal career spanning nearly five decades; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Ellison was first elected judge of the 81st Judicial District Court in 2018, and after taking office in 2019, he presided over numerous civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases for the court, which serves Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, La Salle, and Wilson Counties; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ellison earned his bachelor's degree from Tulane University and his law degree from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law; he began his career in 1974 as an assistant city attorney in Austin, and from 1975 to 1977, he was an assistant district attorney in Travis County; after a brief time in private practice, he served in a range of state positions, including as a committee counsel for the Texas House of Representatives, as a staff attorney for Texas MHMR, as general counsel for the office of the Speaker of the House, as a staff attorney for the Texas State Ethics Advisory Commission, and as a special assistant for the State Property Tax Board; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, this respected attorney was hired by the 81st Judicial District Court as an assistant district attorney, and he went on to be elected as the D.A., holding that office from 1993 to 2004; following nine years as an assistant attorney general, he was appointed in 2013 as judge of the Atascosa County Court at Law, where he served until his election as district court judge; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ellison has contributed to his professional community as a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Atascosa County Bar Association, and the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, and he has served on the Special Prosecution Unit Board; furthermore, he has given generously of his time to numerous other organizations, including the Atascosa County Child Welfare Board and the Atascosa County Law Enforcement Officers Association; in all his endeavors, he enjoys the love and support of his wife of 42 years, Janet, his daughters, Rachel and Gretchen, and his grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Ellison's dedication, expertise, and commitment to justice have greatly benefited citizens across the Lone Star State, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his many achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby congratulate Judge Lynn Ellison on his retirement from the 81st Judicial District Court and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Judge Ellison as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Flores

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 13, 2023.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate