Andrea Westerfeld Appointed to Waco Appeals Court
Governor Greg Abbott selected the veteran prosecutor to become the first female justice on the 10th Court of Appeals.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in People
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Governor Greg Abbott has appointed 47-year-old Andrea Westerfeld to serve on the 10th Court of Appeals in Waco. Westerfeld will break a 103-year barrier as the first woman to ever serve as a justice on the court.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a significant milestone for the appellate court, which serves an 18-county region across Central Texas. Westerfeld brings over two decades of prosecutorial experience to the bench.
Westerfeld brings 23 years of legal experience, including nine years leading the appellate division for the Ellis County District Attorney's Office and 14 years at the Collin County District Attorney's Office.
The players
Andrea Westerfeld
She is a 47-year-old attorney who previously led the appellate division for the Ellis County District Attorney's Office.
Greg Abbott
He is the Governor of Texas who serves as the state's chief executive and holds the authority to make judicial appointments.
Steve Smith
He is the outgoing justice of the 10th Court of Appeals whose retirement created the vacancy for the appointment.
Matt Johnson
He serves as the Chief Justice of the 10th Court of Appeals and will administer the oath of office.
The details
Westerfeld, who currently resides in Midlothian, will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Steve Smith. She holds an international studies degree from Wells College and a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Timeline
Justice Steve Smith is scheduled to retire on Sept. 30, 2026.
Andrea Westerfeld will be sworn into her new post on Oct. 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the long-standing precedent of the 10th Court of Appeals, which has been composed of men throughout its entire 103-year history. Westerfeld's entry signals a modernization of the regional judicial bench.
Residents of the 18-county Central Texas region will see a change in the composition of the court that handles their regional appeals. This transition marks a shift in the judicial representation serving the local community.
The takeaway
Westerfeld's appointment reflects a broader trend of increased representation within the Texas judiciary. Her background in long-term district attorney roles suggests a focus on appellate continuity as she begins her term.
Further reading
For more information on legal leadership in the region, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kwtx.
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