--- title: "Judd E. Stone II" description: "Judd E. Stone II brings clarity and focus to complex appellate challenges, leveraging his experience from the U.S. Supreme Court and as Texas Solicitor General." source_url: "https://www.stonehilton.com/team/judd-stone" canonical_path: "/team/judd-stone" content_type: "team-member" --- # Judd E. Stone II Role: Chairman & Partner A founding partner of Stone Hilton, Judd is well respected both in Texas and across the nation as an insightful and tenacious appellate litigator. A lifelong Texan, Judd has argued dozens of appeals in both federal and state court, including arguing eight cases before the United States Supreme Court. ## Appellate Expert and Policy Counselor Judd began his legal career clerking for United States Supreme Court **Justice Antonin Scalia** and Fifth Circuit **Chief Judge Edith H. Jones**. With a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law where he graduated first in his class, Judd's academic and professional credentials place him among the most distinguished lawyers in the profession. At the helm of countless major legal battles and emergency appeals for the State of Texas, Judd's deep understanding of the law and persuasive advocacy have been instrumental in shaping legal precedents. His tenure as the **Solicitor General of Texas** is a testament to his expertise and the trust placed in him by high-ranking state officials. Judd's strategic prowess extends beyond the courtroom; his advisory roles have made him **a respected figure among policymakers**. Senators Cornyn and Cruz appointed Judd to their Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee, which advises the Senators on nominations to the federal bench and U.S. Attorney offices in Texas. Judd's contributions to Stone Hilton and the legal community are characterized by his meticulous approach to cases, his acumen as a counselor, and his unwavering commitment to justice. As a partner at Stone Hilton, Judd continues to apply his formidable talents to advocate for his clients with the utmost dedication and to uphold the pillars of integrity and excellence that the firm stands for. ## Representative Matters ### Texas v. Volkswagen Aktienges­ellschaft No. 21-0130, Tex. Successfully overturned a lower court’s judgment, preserving Texas’s jurisdiction in environmental enforcement. ### Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson No. 21-463, Sup. Ct. An intricate defense of state legislation before the U.S. Supreme Court that showcased Judd's acumen in high-stakes emergency appeals. ### Daves v. Dallas County No. 18-11368, 5th Cir., en banc A pivotal case involving constitutional challenges to bail practices, where Judd's defense upheld the integrity of Texas’s judicial system. ### In re Facebook No. 20-0434, Tex. As amicus curiae, Judd argued against the dismissal of claims regarding online child trafficking, emphasizing the platform's responsibility for user safety. ### Haaland v. Brackeen No. 21-376, Sup. Ct. A crucial case for Texas, defending state policies against claims of racial discrimination and upholding the state's stance on adoption procedures. ### Texas Democratic Party v. Hughes No. 20-50667, 5th Cir. Reversing an injunction against Texas voting laws, reinforcing the state’s legislative processes and election integrity. ### Texas v. Brooks-LaSure No. 6:23-cv-161-JDK, E.D. Tex. Judd's strategic legal approach secured an injunction that maintained vital federal funding for the state’s healthcare services. ### Texas v. United States No. 24-50149, 5th Cir. Defending the state's position against federal immigration policies, demonstrating Judd's commitment to fighting for state sovereignty. ### FTC Consulting and Litigation Leverages years of antitrust experience as a practitioner and academic to represent and advise clients in matters before the FTC. ## Outside the Office When he's not at work, Judd is an avid collector of Scotch whisky and fine wine. ## Experience ### Solicitor General of the State of Texas Office of the Attorney General of Texas ### Assistant Solicitor General Office of the Attorney General of Texas ### Chief Counsel to Senator Ted Cruz U.S. Senate ### Associate Major international law firm ### Law Clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia U.S. Supreme Court ### Associate Elite litigation boutique ### Law Clerk to Judge Edith Jones U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ### Law Clerk to Justice Daniel Winfree Supreme Court of Alaska ## Education ### Harvard Law School Olin-Searle-Smith Fellow in Law ### Northwestern University School of Law J.D., magna cum laude, First in Class; Associate Editor, Northwestern University Law Review ### B.A., Political Science & Government University of Texas at Dallas ## Admissions - All courts of the State of Texas - District of Columbia - U.S. Supreme Court - U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, D.C., & Federal Circuits - U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia