Lynn Hughes

This is the page for the federal judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. If you are looking for the Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court candidate, please see: Lynn Hughes (Nevada).

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Lynn Hughes

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (senior status)

Tenure

2023 - Present

Years in position

1

Prior offices

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Predecessor: Robert O'Conor

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Education

Bachelor's

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, 1963

Graduate

University of Virginia School of Law, 1992

Law

University of Texas Law, 1966

Personal

Birthplace

Houston, Texas

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Lynn Nettleton Hughes is a federal judge on senior status with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He joined the court in 1985 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan (R). He assumed senior status on February 12, 2023.

Biography

Early life and education

Born in Houston, Texas, Hughes graduated from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Alabama with his bachelor's degree in 1963 and later graduated from the University of Texas School of Law at Austin, Texas with his Juris Doctor degree in 1966. Hughes also earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1992.

Professional career

Hughes was a private practice attorney in Texas from 1966 to 1979. From 1979 to 1980, Hughes was District Judge in the 165th Judicial District of Texas in Harris County, Texas. From 1980 to 1985, Hughes was District Court Judge in the 189th Judicial District of Texas in Harris County. Hughes has served as an adjunct professor of Law at South Texas College of Law, and from 1990 to 1991 at the University of Texas School of Law.

Judicial career

Southern District of Texas

On the recommendation of Texas U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, Hughes was nominated to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas by President Ronald Reagan on October 16, 1985 to a seat vacated by Robert O'Conor as O'Conor assumed senior status. Hughes was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 16, 1985 on a Senate vote and received commission on December 17, 1985. He assumed senior status on February 12, 2023.

Noteworthy cases

Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital (2021)

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital: On June 12, 2021, Judge Lynn Hughes, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, dismissed a lawsuit over Houston Methodist Hospital's requirement that most employees (i.e., those without a religious or medical exemption) be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by June 7, 2021. Employees who failed to meet this requirement were suspended without pay and given 14 days to be fully vaccinated or face termination. The plaintiffs – 117 hospital employees – alleged that the vaccine mandate violated federal drug laws by "forcing [the hospital system's] employees to be human 'guinea pigs' as a condition for continued employment." The plaintiffs argued that the pending terminations constituted wrongful discharge. Hughes, a Ronald Reagan (R) appointee, disagreed, ruling that the plaintiffs "can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine." Hughes added that, if plaintiffs refused to be vaccinated, they would "simply need to work somewhere else." Hughes also ruled that the plaintiffs' federal and state law arguments "misrepresented the facts" and "fail as a matter of law." In response to Hughes' ruling, hospital president and CEO Marc Boom said, "We can now put this behind us and continue our focus on unparalleled safety, quality, service and innovation." Jennifer Bridges, the lead plaintiff in the case, said, "We are appealing. This will be taken all the way to the Supreme Court. This is far from over. This is literally only the beginning."

Alleged developer bribery case (2009-2012)

See also: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Judge Hughes presided in the case of two Houston area developers who were accused of bribing Monique McGilbra, the Director of the City of Houston Building Services department. The complaint alleged that the two developers forced Ms. McGilbra to steer contracts to allow their firm to build a new $53 billion dollar 911 center.

In February 2012, the United States Department of Justice dismissed all charges against the developers. The same day, Judge Hughes signed the order.

See also

• United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

External links

• The Robing Room- Rate Judge Hughes
• Judge Hughes's Biography from the Federal Judicial Center

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Robert O'Conor	United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas 1985-2023	Succeeded by -