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University of Texas School of Law
Rice University
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While an undergraduate at Rice University, Kevin Dubose was so inspired by several gifted English professors that he considered abandoning his plans for law school in favor of English grad school and the life of a professor and author. He talked to those English professors, and their response was unanimous and emphatic: “Go to law school.” He now appreciates that advice.
Kevin began his career as a trial lawyer who handled his own appeals, but after 25 jury trials he decided to limit his practice to appellate law in 1985. He was attracted to the more academic, intellectual, and less adversarial culture of appellate law. And the skills he developed as a high school debater, college English major, and law school moot court participant all helped drive him toward this career path.
Kevin became an appellate lawyer just as appellate law was becoming a recognized specialty in Texas. He was in the first class of Texas lawyers to become Board Certified in Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1987. When the Houston Bar Association started an Appellate Section in the early 90s, Kevin was the second person elected to serve as its chair. Four years later, he was elected chair of the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section. In 2006 he was inducted into the by-invitation-only American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and in 2021 he was elected President of the organization.
In 2023 Kevin received the Gregory S. Coleman Outstanding Appellate Lawyer Award, presented by the Texas Bar Foundation. The award recognizes outstanding appellate practice while maintaining a strong commitment to providing legal services for the underserved, dedication to mentoring young attorneys, and a strong moral compass to guide both professional and personal pursuits. Also in 2023, Kevin received the 2023 Patrick A. Nester Outstanding Achievement in CLE Award, presented by the Texas Bar College.
Kevin also has taken an active role in promoting legal ethics, professionalism, and civility. He has been a frequent author and speaker in this area, and in 2020 he was elected Board Chair of the Texas Center for Legal Ethics. In 2012, he was awarded the Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award — the third attorney in the state to receive that award. In 2020 he received the Lola Wright Foundation Award for the advancement and enhancement of legal ethics in Texas.
State Bar of Texas
Supreme Court of the United States
Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals
Eastern, Southern, and Western Federal District Courts
Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award, Texas Center for Legal Ethics, 2012
Lola Wright Foundation Award (for advancement and enhancement of legal ethics in Texas), Texas Bar Foundation, 2020
Gregory S. Coleman Outstanding Appellate Lawyer Award, presented by the Texas Bar Foundation, 2023
Patrick A. Nester Outstanding Achievement in CLE Award, presented by the Texas Bar College. 2023
Part of the first class of Texas lawyers to become board certified in Civil Appellate Law, 1987
Inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (a national by-invitation-only organization), 2006; elected President of the Academy in 2021
Listed as a leading appellate lawyer in:
– Best Lawyers in America, 2008-2025
– Chambers Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2006-2024
– Texas Super Lawyers, published by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2023
Listed as one of Top 100 Lawyers in Houston, Texas Super Lawyers, published by Thomson Reuters
Author, chapter on Oral Argument in the Texas Appellate Practice Manual (2d ed.)
Author, chapter on “Writing a Persuasive Supreme Court Brief” in the Texas Supreme Court Practice Manual
Frequent CLE author/speaker (several hundred presentations) on legal ethics, legal writing, oral advocacy, various aspects of Texas Civil Procedure, and integrating legal practice into a meaningful.
Adjunct Professor of Legal Research & Writing, Director of Legal Research & Writing, Director of Appellate Advocacy, Adjunct Professor of Appellate Advocacy at the University of Houston Law Center
Guest lecturer at University of Texas Law School, South Texas College of Law; Thurgood Marshall Law School
Chair, State Bar Appellate Section , 1995-96
Chair, Houston Bar Association Appellate Section, 1991-92
Board member and President of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
Board member and Board Chair of the Texas Center for Legal Ethics
Books for Development: Board member and active volunteer (since 2015) with this non-profit that collects, sorts, and ships books, sets up libraries, and trains librarians in developing nations
Houston Urban Debate League; Board member (2008-16) of this organization devoted to revitalizing debate programs in underserved inner-city schools.
Main Street Theater: Board member (2008-16) of this highly respected local/regional theater.
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church: Active member since 1989, current Chair of Church Council, choir member.
