After more than 12 years of service on the bench, Jeff Rose made the decision to hang up his robe and take a seat at the mediation table. We sat down with him to discuss his transition and the benefits his years of experience both as
a litigator and as a judge bring to his mediation clients.
“I love working as a peacemaker,” he says. “After years in the courthouse as both lawyer and judge, I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to help people resolve matters on their own terms and stay out of court.”
AALM: What experiences or interests first drew you to a legal career?
JR: I was always the kid who stepped in to help everyone get along. I decided to go to law school when I realized I could turn that tendency into a job—and that being a lawyer seemed like a better option than becoming an accountant. I never discourage anyone interested in studying law. It’s a versatile skillset that teaches you to approach problems with structure, reason, and respect. I’ve always loved the blend of intellectual challenge and real-world impact that a legal career provides.
AALM: Tell us about your career both as a lawyer and during your time on the bench.
JR: My career has spanned years of private litigation practice, public service as Texas Deputy Attorney General, time on both the trial court and the Third Court of Appeals, and now full-time dispute resolution. When I was a “real lawyer,” as I like to joke, I focused on complex civil litigation and appellate work. That experience taught me more than litigation strategy—it gave me insight into the pressures clients and lawyers face every day.
Serving on the bench, and ultimately as chief justice, was a tremendous privilege. It offered a different perspective on resolving disputes and required precision, fairness, and collaboration with colleagues who brought diverse viewpoints to difficult questions. Those years reinforced the importance of principled decision-making and careful listening, and they strengthened my belief that the most important role lawyers play is helping people avoid and resolve disputes.
AALM: Tell us about the transition from judge to mediator and arbitrator.
JR: I always knew I wanted to be a mediator. As a lawyer and later as a judge, I saw first hand the benefits of resolving disputes earlier—before they hardened into lengthy and costly battles. The skills I honed on the bench—listening more than talking, identifying the real issues, separating out the emotion, and finding creative solutions—translate naturally to mediation and arbitration. My practice now gives me a front-row seat to the problem-solving side of the law and allows me to help people resolve matters on their own terms.
AALM: How does your previous experience benefit your ADR practice?
JR: My background as a board-certified civil trial lawyer and former trial and appellate judge gives me credibility to help parties realistically assess risk and understand their alternatives among trial or settlement options. That perspective is especially valuable in mediation, where the advocacy instinct can sometimes overshadow the counselor role. My experience helps create a setting where neutrality, structure, and sound judgment support meaningful resolution.
AALM: What challenges did you face moving from the bench, and what have you enjoyed most?
JR: The biggest adjustment was shifting from being the “decider” to becoming an intermediary and facilitator. Judges aren’t always the best mediators—mediation requires patience, creativity, and an ability to help parties take ownership of their outcomes. What I’ve enjoyed most is the direct engagement: watching parties make real progress, observing different lawyers counsel their clients, and seeing the relief that comes with resolution.
AALM: Have you sought to mentor others in the legal industry? What is your best advice for legal professionals?
JR: I was fortunate to have exceptional mentors, and I’ve always taken seriously the responsibility to pay that forward. Some of my favorite moments in practice have been mentoring young lawyers, clerks, and colleagues exploring judicial or ADR paths.
My best advice? Remember that we are both attorneys and counselors. Listen carefully, advocate honestly, and advise with integrity. A reputation for fairness and professionalism is one of the most valuable assets a lawyer can have.
AALM: Looking back, were there cases that shaped your approach or prompted your move to ADR?
JR: It wasn’t one case, but a pattern: litigants exhausted by disputes that could have been resolved earlier with better communication and structure. Those experiences help me show mediation clients the value of resolving disputes on their own terms and avoiding the time, expense, and uncertainty of litigation.
AALM: Looking ahead, what do you hope to accomplish next?
JR: I am enjoying building my mediation practice, especially in complex commercial, real estate, and public sector matters, and I’m excited to be expanding my footprint beyond Texas.
For more information, visit roseresolutiongroup.com
