Robert D. Burns III at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Justice
- Court
- Texas Court of Appeals, 5th District (Dallas)
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- January 1, 2019–present
Robert D. Burns III
Chief Justice · Texas Court of Appeals, 5th District (Dallas)
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- Deputy Chief, Dallas County District Attorney's Office, Dallas, TX, 1997-2007
Judicial service
- Judge, Texas Criminal District Court, No. 1, Dallas City, Dallas, TX, 2007-2018
- Chief Justice, Texas Court of Appeals, 5th District (Dallas), Dallas, TX, 2019-present
Education
- Austin College · Business, 1986
- Southern Methodist University · JD, 1990
- Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1990 · J.D.
Courtroom rules and guidance
Oral Argument Purpose
Use oral argument to emphasize and clarify the briefs, not merely read prepared text; assume the panel has read the briefs, be ready for questions, and stay within the record.
Oral argument should emphasize and clarify the written arguments in the briefs. Counsel should not merely read from prepared text.Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument ↗
Oral Argument Time
The court sets argument time. Finish within the allotment unless the court permits continuation; the appellant must be allowed to conclude.
Counsel must complete argument in the time allotted and may continue after the expiration of the allotted time only with permission of the court.Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument ↗
Number Of Arguing Counsel
Generally one lawyer should argue for each side. Without leave, no more than two may argue per side, and only one may present rebuttal.
Generally, only one counsel should argue for each side. Except on leave of court, no more than two counsel on each side may argue. Only one counsel may argue in rebuttal.Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument ↗
Oral Argument Request
Request oral argument on the front cover of the brief. If argument is set, all parties that filed briefs may participate even if they did not request it.
A party desiring oral argument must note that request on the front cover of the party’s brief.Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument ↗
Oral Argument Notice
The clerk's notice states whether argument is allowed, the date, allotted time, location or electronic-joining instructions, exhibit instructions, and panel members.
The clerk must send to the parties—at least 21 days before the date the case is set for argument or submission without argument—a notice telling the parties:Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument ↗
Sources
Texas Court of Appeals, 5th District (Dallas) current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · checked August 2, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15438/robert-d-burns-iii/Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 39 - Oral Argument
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 30, 2026
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461885/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure.pdf