Second Court of Appeals

Justice Place 2

Hal M. Lattimore (1988 to 1995)

Hal McKnight Lattimore was born October 13, 1920, in Fort Worth, Texas.  He enrolled at Baylor University, but he paused his studies to fly transport planes during World War II.  Following the war, he transferred to the University of Texas where he completed his undergraduate and law degrees.

After graduating, he began practicing law with his father, Hal S. Lattimore.  After his father’s death in 1969, he formed a law firm with six other lawyers.  He practiced with this firm until 1975, when he was appointed by Governor Dolph Briscoe as judge of the 96th District Court, a position that his father had previously held.  Lattimore again followed in his father’s footsteps when he was appointed by Governor Bill Clements to the Second Court of Appeals in 1988.  He left the bench in 1995 and returned to private practice. 

In addition to his legal accomplishments, Lattimore was renowned for his skill as a pilot and a diver.  In fact, the Soaring Association of America named the trophy that it presents to its annual U.S. Sports Class Champion in his honor.  Lattimore died on March 27, 2014, in Mansfield, Texas.