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TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The chief justice of the Twelfth Court of Appeals announced on Tuesday that he will retire at the end of his current term.

Chief Justice James “Jim” Worthen has been a member of the court since 1998 and has served as chief justice since January 2003.  Worthen will remain in his position until Dec. 31, 2026, when his term concludes.

Worthen is an East Texas native who grew up in Big Sandy and later attended the University of Texas at Tyler. After receiving his decorate in law from South Texas College of Law, he became a practicing lawyer in Tyler in 1980 and remained in that profession until he was appointed to join the Twelfth Court of Appeals in 1998.

Worthen released a statement on Tuesday thanking East Texas for their support during his tenure. Worhten said he looks forward to the transition into the future of the court.

“I want to thank the citizens of East Texas for the honor of serving them on the Twelfth Court of Appeals,” Worthen said. “I look forward to transitioning into the new leadership they will choose for the court.”

The Twelfth Court of Appeals covers 17 East Texas counties and oversees appeals from local trial courts.