The University of Texas at Austin

William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law

“That they may truly and impartially administer justice”
Photo of Judge Justice and his wife

The Honorable William Wayne Justice and Sue Justice
photo by John Katz

The Honorable William Wayne Justice

Judge William Wayne Justice has shown a remarkable commitment to public service for over fifty years. He was born in 1920 in Athens, Texas and received his undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Texas. He served in the United States Army before returning to east Texas. He served as City Attorney in Athens and as the U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas before being appointed to the federal bench in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson.

Judge Justice has worked courageously to protect civil rights, uphold constitutional freedoms, and ensure equal justice for all. His landmark rulings have safeguarded the rights of minorities, the poor, and the politically powerless in many areas. These decisions have addressed race discrimination in schools and housing, inhumane treatment in facilities, the dilution of voting rights, inadequate education for immigrant and non-English speaking children, and the unnecessary institutionalization of the mentally retarded.

William Wayne Justice Bibliography

Recent Speeches