Probate Judge Robert E. Price sums up his career so far by saying he “has enjoyed every minute of it.”

After graduation from Waco High School, he traveled north to Southern Methodist University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. Although Judge Price had no close relatives who were lawyers, he always thought the law would be an interesting career, so he remained at SMU to attend law school. While there, he was Editor-in-Chief of the Southwestern Law Journal, and received his Bachelor’s of Laws degree in 1954. He is also a 1976 graduate of the Air War College and a retired Colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Department of the U. S. Air Force Reserve.

From 1956 until 1986, Judge Price was in private practice with the firm of Taylor, Mizell, Price, Corrigan and Smith. However, he wasn’t through studying; he returned to SMU for a Master’s of Laws, which he earned in 1976. Judge Price’s practice heavily emphasized probate and estate administration, and he enjoyed the work so much that he realized he’d like to continue it from the bench. He has been the Judge in Dallas County Probate Court No. 2 since 1986.

Judge Price says that because of the broad jurisdiction of the Probate Courts, he hears a wide variety of legal matters, so there is always something new and interesting. He finds that the attorneys who appear before him are generally experienced and know the law and how to present their cases. Judge Price also stresses how much his job is enhanced by his “exceptionally qualified and conscientious staff.”

Probate cases often involve intense family drama, but Judge Price remembers that his most high profile case turned out to be anything but. He presided over the trial to determine ownership of the gun with which Jack Ruby killed Lee Harvey Oswald, and the case naturally drew considerable media attention. Both Ruby’s heirs and the executor of Ruby’s estate claimed the gun. Court TV, then in its infancy, expected a case of wide general interest and planned to televise the trial. The Judge recalled with some amusement that, unfortunately for the fledgling network, the testimony ended up being “too boring” to warrant national television coverage.

Judge Price’s interests extend to teaching, and he has taught at his alma mater, SMU Law School. He has also taught in the SMU paralegal certification program, and given CLE courses on probate for both the State Bar and Professional Education Systems. He is a fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel and the Texas Bar Foundation.

Being a native Texan, Judge Price is naturally a connoisseur of barbecue and Mexican food. He’s also particular about his fresh ground pepper; those who know him are probably familiar with the small personal pepper grinder he carries. This item proved quite challenging to airport security during a recent vacation trip. Judge Price was required to open the grinder and demonstrate that the contents were indeed peppercorns, to the surprise of the security screener. But by far the Judge’s favorite hobby is spending time with his son, three daughters (triplets), and eleven grandchildren. He is planning to gather all the grandchildren, who range in age from six to 19, at Disneyworld in 2005, and his eldest grandson predicts he’ll be the oldest kid there.

Attorney Anne Pohli is a member of the DBA Publications Committee.