I’m deeply saddened to share that Justice Kristin Guiney of the First Court of Appeals has passed away.
Below is the announcement from the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals:
The First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals are very saddened to learn of Justice Kristin Guiney’s untimely passing. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her entire family. Justice Guiney devoted her life to public service, first as a prosecutor, next as a trial court judge overseeing complex felony matters, and then as a Justice on the First Court of Appeals. Justice Guiney was especially honored to serve as a Star Court judge, assisting those less fortunate, striving to be a better person for a better life.
Justice Guiney will be remembered for her fairness, tenacity, brilliant smile, and unwavering love of the law. We ask that the general public—and the media—respect her family’s privacy at this time.
I enjoyed appearing before Justice Guiney, but I was even more fortunate to know her off the bench. She was smart and funny, with a warmth and joy that filled the room. I’ll miss her very much. So will the greater Texas legal community.
Most of all, my prayers are with her husband and their daughters, as well as her colleagues and friends throughout the Court family.
May Justice Guiney’s memory be for a blessing.
UPDATE: Murray Newman, one of Justice Guiney’s former colleagues at the District Attorney’s Office, penned this wonderful tribute.
UPDATE #2: The First Court has published the fuller tribute below. Its closing words, emphasized below, express my own feelings better than I could.
Justice Kristin M. Guiney was an extraordinary colleague and a dedicated servant of the law who enriched our Court with her experience, judgment, humility, and humanity. Her passing is not only a great loss to the First Court of Appeals, but to the State of Texas that she so loyally served for more than 25 years.
After earning her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 2001, Justice Guiney began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, where she tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict. She later served as a state district judge presiding over the 183rd, 232nd, and 179th Criminal District Courts, where she handled a full docket of felony criminal cases and presided over more than 120 jury trials.
In November 2024, Justice Guiney was elected to the First Court of Appeals. She worked tirelessly to ensure that cases were decided efficiently and according to the rule of law, authoring a total of 226 opinions during her time on the Court.
Justice Guiney was also proud to serve as a Star Court judge, assisting those less fortunate, striving to be a better person for a better life.
On top of all this, Justice Guiney was Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Justice Guiney will be remembered for her fairness, tenacity, brilliant smile, and unwavering love of the law.
We extend our deepest condolences to her entire family.
Justice Guiney made our Court and our state better by her work and her example. She will be missed more deeply than words can express.
Loved that you recognized this Fabulous Woman & Celebrated her…