Professional Background

Judicial perspective | Litigation insight | Neutral resolution

Jeff Rose, Mediator

Professional Overview

Jeff Rose is a former Chief Justice of the Texas Third Court of Appeals and retired Senior District Judge whose career spans more than three decades of complex civil litigation and judicial service. He has served as trial lawyer, senior government litigator, district judge, and appellate jurist — gaining perspective from virtually every vantage point within the civil justice system.

As a judge at both the trial and appellate levels, Jeff presided over thousands of civil disputes involving commercial, governmental, and individual litigants. His work required careful evaluation of extensive records, rigorous legal analysis, and clear decisions addressing difficult and often consequential issues. He continues to serve by special assignment as a visiting judge in courts throughout Texas.

Years on the bench shaped a practical insight: while courts play a vital role, many disputes are resolved more effectively when parties have the structure, neutrality, and disciplined guidance to negotiate toward principled outcomes. That experience ultimately led Jeff to devote his professional work to mediation and arbitration. Today, he brings the habits of judicial service — preparation, patience, analytical rigor, and clarity — to every matter he handles, creating an environment grounded in neutrality and sound judgment.

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From the Bench to Mediation — Read Jeff's Story

Professional Background

  • Judicial Service

    • Chief Justice, Texas Third Court of Appeals (Former)

    • District Judge, Travis County (Former)

    • Senior District Judge (Retired)

    • Chairman, Texas Council of Chief Justices (Former)

    • Texas Center for the Judiciary — Curriculum Committee | Board of Directors (Former)

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution & Neutral Credentials

    • Distinguished Credentialed Mediator — Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (Highest Level Designation)

    • Certified Texas Mediator — Harvard Negotiation Program | Mediators and Arbitrators of America | Association of Attorney Mediators

    • Board Certified, Civil Trial Law (since 2007)

    • American Arbitration Association (AAA) National Roster of Arbitrators‍ ‍— Commercial, Construction, Appellate, and Consumer Panels

    • Board Certified in Civil Trial Law (since 2007)

    • National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (Texas Chapter)

  • Honors & Recognition

    • Austin’s Best Lawyers, Austin Monthly — Mediation and Arbitration, 2022–2025

    • Texas Super Lawyers,Texas Monthly— Mediation and Arbitration, 2024 | Business Litigation, 2004–2005 | Governmental Litigation, 2008–2009

    • Austin Under 40 —Government and Public Relations Finalist (2009)

    • Texas Bar Foundation — Life Fellow

    • Lloyd Lochridge Inns of Court — Master Barrister Emeritus

  • Government & Trial Leadership Experience

    • Texas Deputy First Assistant Attorney General (Former)

    • Chief of Civil Litigation (Former)

    • Litigation Partner, Strasburger & Price LLP (Former)

  • Bar & Professional Leadership

    • Vice Chair — American Bar Association TIPS Section Dispute Resolution Committee (Former)

    • Director — Austin Bar Association (Elected 2007, 2009)

    • Chair — Austin Bar Association CLE Committee (Former)

    • Co-Chair — Legislative Liaison Committee, State Bar of Texas Appellate Section (Former)

    • Board Member — State Bar Administrative Law Committee (Former)

    • Graduate — Leadership Austin (Class of 2006)

  • Community & Civic Leadership

    • Co-Founder | Former Director | Current Trustee — The Rise School of Austin

    • Co-Founder — Sportsman’s Club of Austin (Raised over $320,000 in first two years for The Rise School of Austin)

    • Director| Board Governance Chair | Capital Campaign Co-Chair (2024–2025) — Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas

    • Board Member | Executive Committee (1998–2003) | Scholarship Chair — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas

    • Board Member — Capital Area Food Bank (Former)

    • Organizer —  Mack Brown / James Street Golf Shootout

Schedule Mediation