Hon. David Wellington Chew sworn in as Chief Justice

David Wellington Chew was sworn in as chief justice of the 8th District Court of Appeals of the State of Texas by Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, right, April 3, 2007 at the El Paso County Courthouse. Mandy Chew was at her husband's side. (Rudy Gutierrez / El Paso Times)

Native El Pasoan David Wellington Chew made history by becoming the first Asian-American chief justice of the 8th District Court of Appeals.

Chew, 59, was sworn in as chief justice before more than 150 people at an investiture ceremony in the El Paso County Courthouse.

"It's a little awe-inspiring because there are so many former chief justices that have gone before you and have made a real mark," Chew said. "But it presents a new opportunity to try to not take the court in another direction, but to basically continue the traditions, which are great traditions."

Chew was appointed chief justice by Gov. Rick Perry in October. Chew will be chief justice until the next general election. He succeeds Richard Barajas.

The 8th Court of Appeals, made up of a chief justice and two justices, has jurisdiction over civil and criminal appeals in 17 West Texas counties.

Chew has been a justice on the court since 1995. He was first elected to the court in November 1994.

On Tuesday, he was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson of the Texas Supreme Court. Jefferson is the first African-American to be sworn in as chief justice of the state's high court.

Judge William "Bill" Moody of the 34th District Court in El Paso said Chew's appointment as chief justice is something the community should be proud of.

"It's certainly a distinct honor to the community where we have such talented people like Justice Chew. You know he has the experience, the knowledge and integrity and to have him recognized formally through the appointment is just a great honor for the Chew family and the community," Moody said.

Chew attended Irvin High School and the University of Texas at El Paso before accepting a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the academy in 1971 with a bachelor of science degree.

He earned his law degree in 1978 from Southern Methodist School of Law. After law school, he went into private practice.

Chew is also a former West-Central city representative.

He is married to Mandy Chew, and they have a son, Wellington Montgomery Chew.

Reprinted with permission, Tammy Fonce-Olivas, El Paso Times; tfonce@elpasotimes.com; 915-546-6362.