### Javier Laynez Potisek Resigns from Mexico’s Supreme Court
Javier Laynez Potisek, a justice of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) since December 10, 2015, has announced his resignation effective August 31, 2025. Laynez, who was appointed by then-President Enrique Peña Nieto, cited recent constitutional reforms as part of his decision. In a letter addressed to José Gerardo Rodolfo Fernández Noroña, the president of the Chamber of Senators, Laynez confirmed his decision to step down to align with the stipulations of a recently passed constitutional reform. This reform mandates justices to resign ahead of the extraordinary electoral process scheduled for June 1, 2025.
### Background on Javier Laynez Potisek
Javier Laynez Potisek was born in Torreón, Coahuila, on June 2, 1959. He holds a law degree from Universidad Regiomontana and advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Fiscal Administration and Public Law, as well as a Doctorate in Public Law from University of Paris IX Dauphine. An academic at heart, Laynez has taught various law courses at prestigious institutions such as Colegio de México (COLMEX) and the Center for Economic Research and Teaching (CIDE). He is also well-noted for his publications in constitutional law and public administration.
His career began in the Federal Treasury Prosecutor’s Office as a tax lawyer in 1983, followed by several notable positions in Mexican public administration, including Director of Legislation and Norms in the Federal Programming and Budget Secretariat, and Director of Normativity in the Secretariat of Public Education. Laynez also held roles as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Affairs and International Matters in the now-defunct Office of the Attorney General, and as an advisor in the executive branch during the administrations of Presidents Ernesto Zedillo and Vicente Fox.
### Additional News on Judicial Resignations
In related news, the Mexican Senate has recently received resignation notices from eight other Supreme Court justices, sparking discussions on the impacts of the constitutional reform. Notably, Justice Margarita Ríos Farjat has opted out of receiving a lifetime pension, citing personal principles, a decision that has ignited public debate. The reform, passed earlier this year, aims to reshape the country’s judicial landscape by encouraging turnover and introducing new perspectives in the SCJN. This wave of resignations has set the stage for an upcoming appointment process, which promises to be highly scrutinized as the new administration seeks to appoint justices that align with the country’s evolving legal framework.