UMPHRESS v. STEEL (2026)

Supreme Court of Texas.

Brian Keith UMPHRESS, Appellant, v. Gary L. STEEL, in his official capacity as chair of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, et al., Appellees

No. 25-0288

Decided: January 09, 2026

Douglas Laycock, University of Texas School of Law, Austin, for Amici Curiae Berg, Thomas, Christian Legal Society. Douglas Laycock, University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Pro Se. Hiram S. Sasser III, Jeremiah Dys, Kelly J. Shackelford, First Liberty Institute, Plano, for Amicus Curiae Hensley, Dianne. Martin Whittaker, St. Louis, MO, for Amicus Curiae Lorica Institute for Freedom of Expression and Religion. Emily K. Cook, Pacific Justice Institute, Liberty, for Amicus Curiae Pacific Justice Institute and National Legal Foundation. Charles W. Fillmore, Hartson Fillmore IV, The Fillmore Law Firm, L.L.P., Fort Worth, Jonathan F. Mitchell, Mitchell Law PLLC, Austin, for Appellant. Douglas S. Lang, Thompson Coburn, L.L.P., Dallas, David R. Schleicher, Schleicher Law Firm, P.L.L.C., Waco, Roland K. Johnson, Harris Finley & Bogle, P.C., Fort Worth, Ross Reyes, Littler Mendelson, P.C., Dallas, for Appellees Bunch, Ronald E., Draksharam, Sujeeth B., Ertz, Valerie, Fischer, Steve, Hall, David C., Holt, Janis, Maguire, M. Patrick, McGill, Darrick L., Patronella, David M., Robinson, Clifton, Schenck, David, Tate, Frederick C. David R. Schleicher, Schleicher Law Firm, P.L.L.C., Waco, Roland K. Johnson, Harris Finley & Bogle, P.C., Fort Worth, Ross Reyes, Littler Mendelson, P.C., Dallas, for Appellee Reyes, Ruben G.