April Farris was appointed to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals on September 1 of 2024. April previously served on the First Court of Appeals after being appointed in 2021 and elected in 2022.
Before joining the Court, April was a partner at Yetter Coleman LLP, where she handled complex appellate litigation for energy, technology, and government clients. While in private practice, she was recognized in appellate law by Law360, Best Lawyers in America, and Thompson Reuters' Super Lawyers. In 2020, she was one of five attorneys in the nation to be named a Law360 appellate Rising Star, an honor reserved for lawyers under 40.
April previously served as an Assistant Solicitor General for the State of Texas, handling appeals for various Texas agencies. She is a former councilmember for the Texas State Bar's Appellate Section and a current councilmember for the Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Section. She serves as a trustee for the Texas Supreme Court Historical Association, and she is on the board of the Garland R. Walker Inn of Court in Houston. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas Pattern Jury Charge Oversight Committee, and she is on the editorial board of The Advocate. In 2022 and 2023, she was a guest instructor for Harvard Law School's Introduction to Trial Advocacy Program. She has also served as a National Association of Women Judges mentor judge for refugee Afghan judges living in Texas.
April clerked for Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She graduated from Harvard Law School cum laude in 2009, and she earned her bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Abilene Christian University in 2006.
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Luncheon & Panel 3: Business Court and 15th Court of Appeals
2025 Texas Chapters Conference
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center1900 University Ave
Austin, TX 78705
Luncheon & Keynote Fireside Chat
2025 Texas Young Lawyers Summit
Four Seasons Hotel Houston1300 Lamar St
Houston, TX 77010
Panel II: The Judicial Role in the Separation of Powers
2024 Arkansas Chapters Conference
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art600 Museum Way
Bentonville, AR 72712
Young Lawyers Panel: Careers in Government Service
2024 Texas Chapters Conference
Omni Fort Worth Hotel1300 Houston St
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Constitution Day
South Texas Student Chapter
South Texas College of Law Houston1303 San Jacinto
Houston, TX 77002
Originalism: Perspectives from the Bench
South Texas Student Chapter
South Texas College of Law1300 San Jacinto
Houston, TX 77002
The Future of Originalism: A Federalist Society Zoom Dialogue
Houston Lawyers Chapter & Austin Lawyers Chapter - Online Event
On May 27, 2020, the Federalist Society's Houston and Austin lawyers chapters co-hosted a Zoom...
The Future of Originalism: A Federalist Society Zoom Dialogue
Houston Lawyers Chapter & Austin Lawyers Chapter - Online Event
On May 27, 2020, the Federalist Society's Houston and Austin lawyers chapters co-hosted a Zoom...
Gregory S. Coleman Memorial Lecture: Justice Clarence Thomas
2018 Texas Chapters Conference
On September 7-8, 2018, the Federalist Society's Fort Worth Lawyers Chapter hosted the fourth annual...
Gregory S. Coleman Memorial Lecture: Justice Clarence Thomas
2018 Texas Chapters Conference
On September 7-8, 2018, the Federalist Society's Fort Worth Lawyers Chapter hosted the fourth annual...