Twelfth Court of Appeals

Place 3

Judge Michael Davis serves as a Justice on the Twelfth Court of Appeals, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in November 2025. Prior to his appointment to the appellate bench, Judge Davis served for eight years as Judge of the 369th Judicial District Court, which encompasses Anderson, Cherokee, and Leon counties. He was first appointed to that position by Governor Abbott in 2017.

Judge Davis graduated from Palestine High School and went on to become a decorated veteran, serving our country in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he completed his undergraduate degrees at Texas State University, graduating summa cum laude, with majors in Philosophy and Psychology. Judge Davis received his law degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law and was a member of the Texas Tech Law Review and the Board of Barristers. He received many recognitions during law school, including the Law Review’s Outstanding Student Article Award, numerous regional and national advocacy awards, and induction into the Order of Barristers.

Judge Davis is deeply involved in his communities and the State Bar of Texas. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas, serves as the Section Representative to the State Bar Board of Directors, is a past-chair of the Local Bar Services Committee for the State Bar of Texas, and a past member of the Administration of the Rules of Evidence Committee. Locally, Judge Davis is Chair of the board of directors for the Crisis Center of Anderson and Cherokee counties, an advisory member to the board of directors of the Palestine YMCA, a past-President of the Anderson County Bar Association, and a past-President of the Rotary Club of Palestine.

Some of his professional recognitions include his selection as a member of the 2013 LeadershipSBOT class for the State Bar of Texas, his selection to attend the 2012 American Board of Trial Advocates National Trial College taught at Harvard Law School, a 2017 recipient of the Bob Black Bar Leaders Award, and a 2020 recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Texas Tech University School of Law. He enjoys writing and presenting on topics involving collegiality and trial advocacy and is also an adjunct professor at the Texas Tech University School of Law.