As a 1974 Livingston High School graduate, Justice Richard Hightower became a 4th generation Baylor Bear, receiving his B.A. degree (English) in 1978. Following in his father’s and great grandfather’s footsteps, he received his Baylor law degree in 1980 while serving as a Notes and Comments Editor on the Baylor Law Review.

Justice Hightower began his legal career in East Texas as an associate and then partner with the Sharp, Ward & Ross Law Firm in Longview, Texas. There, he worked hand in hand in many civil trials with T. John Ward, who was later appointed United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas. He and Judge Ward were the trial and appellate lawyers in one case argued before the United States Supreme Court.

In 1986, Justice Hightower moved to Houston and became a trial partner in the state-wide law firm eventually known as Brown McCarroll & Oaks Hartline.  In 2000, he opened his own law practice focusing primarily on the interests of public school districts and other educational entities. During this time, Justice Hightower also served as a certified mediator and hearing officer in hundreds of legal disputes.

As an attorney, Justice Hightower is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine.  Prior to his election to the 1^st Court of Appeals in 2018, he was an active member of the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Council of School Attorneys, and was Of-Counsel to the Oaks, Hartline & Daly Law Firm in Houston. He has argued in both state and federal courts.  Justice Hightower is currently a member of the Houston Bar Foundation, Texas Bar Foundation, and a member of the appellate and judicial sections of the State Bar.  When not at work, Justice Hightower can often be spotted at Houston sports events and college football games.  He has one adult son and an American Staffordshire Terrier rescued from Hurricane Harvey.