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District Level Judicial Candidates
Dallas County
Chart of Texas Judicial Department
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1452920/court-structure-chart-september-2021.pdf
Brochure of the Court System
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/675444/The-Texas-Judicial-System_Print102714.pdf
District Courts
Dallas County (2,613,539 Population)
Criminal District Judge, Dallas County No. 2 Elizabeth Davis Frizell
As a former judge with 30 years of legal experience, she is confident that she can uphold this bench with integrity, fairness, and justice. Her law firm specializes in Criminal Law, Family Law, and Personal Injury. Frizell received her undergraduate degree from Prairie View A&M University and her JD from Texas Southern University. Prior to taking the bench, Frizell was an associate municipal court judge for the city of Dallas. She also previously worked in private practice at her own firm and for the Department of Justice. She received the Outstanding Judge of the year by the J.L. Turner Legal Association.
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Elizabeth_Davis_Frizell
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District Judge, Dallas County No.3 Audra Ladawn Riley (IN)
Judge Riley is the Presiding Judge of the No. 3 Court.
Education: She earned a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston University and a JD from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Profession: Judge Riley is the Presiding Judge of the No. 3 Court. She was the sole practitioner in her own private practice, Specializing in Criminal defense.
Source: https://www.judgeaudrariley.com/, https://trellis.law/judge/audra.riley
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District Judge, Dallas County No.4 Dominique Collins
She is the Presiding Judge. She served Dallas County as an Assistant District Attorney since 2004.Collins has extensive experience handling both felony and criminal cases, and she worked with several specialty divisions within the DA's office, including organized crime, intake/grand jury, public integrity, and the mental health and competency division. Collins was honored with the “Above and Beyond” Prosecutor Award in 2008, and she served on the State Bar of Texas Committee on Crime Victims from 2009 to 2011. Collins received her law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, where she was Associate Editor of "The Scholar" law review and served as a teaching assistant. Before becoming an attorney, Collins had an exemplary career in the United States Air Force for 12 years, serving as an information and personnel manager. Collins' volunteer work includes service as Secretary and Vice President of the Kessler School PTA, as a law instructor, as a volunteer income tax assistant, as a help line volunteer, as well as other community activities. Collins and her family live in North Oak Cliff.
Achievments in office:
- Recipient of 2014 Unsung Hero's Award
- Selected by the Criminal District Judges as Presiding Judge of Jury Services of Frank
Crowley Courts Building
- Runs Dallas County Veteran's Court which gives justice-involved veterans, who complete
treatment of their combat related PTSD issues, an opportunity to have their cases
dismissed and expunged
- Continued Judge John Cruezot's trailblazing rehabilitative efforts to break the cycle of
recidivism through innovative treatment, securing supportive housing and employment
opportunities for Dallas County citizens involved in the criminal justice system.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District 14 Court Judge Eric V. Moyé (IN)
Education: Judge Moyé received his B.A., with distinction, from Southern Methodist University in 1976 and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1979.
Profession: Moyé began his legal career with Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. in Dallas, Texas. He then worked as an attorney and partner with another Dallas-based firm, Hamilton, Koch & Knox, L.L.P. He was a founding partner of Vincent & Moyé, P.C., where he worked until becoming a judge. In 1993, he was appointed to the 101st Civil District Court in Dallas County. He worked there until his election to the 14th District in 2008.
Association Affiliations:
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State Bar of Texas
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State Bar of New York
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American Bar Association
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Association of the Bar of the City of New York
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Dallas Bar Association
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American Association for Justice
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1990-1994: Harvard Law School Alumni Association of Texas President
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1989-1992: Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association
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1989: Dallas Civil Liberties Foundation Treasurer
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1987-1994: Dallas Civil Liberties Union
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1987-1990: Dallas Symphony Association Governor
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1985-1988: Permit and License Appeal Board, City of Dallas
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1985: Dallas Homeowners League Political Action Fund
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1985: Leadership Dallas
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1984-1996: American Judicature Society
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1984-1992: Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
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1984-1986: Office of Public Utility Counsel Advisory Board
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1984-1985: Harvard Law School Association of Dallas Centennial Committee Liaison
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1983-1985: Mayor’s Task Force on Housing and Economic Development in Southern Dallas
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1983-1985: St. Phillip’s Episcopal School Trustee
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1980-1983: Dallas Urban League
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1980-1989: Dispute Mediation Services of Dallas
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Eric_V._Moy%C3%A9
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District 44 Judge Veretta Frazier (IN
Education: Judge Frazier is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Profession: She has served as an Associate at Jenkens & Gilchrist, Associate Counsel at FirstPlus Financial, Inc., Senior Counsel at Snelling and Snelling, Inc. and in private practice. Today she is a Partner at West & Associates, L.L.P., in Dallas. She is a seasoned litigator with more than 25 years in practice. She has broad experience in the areas of personal injury, education, franchises, commercial litigation, labor and employment, licensing agreements, real estate, and contracts. She has appeared before both state and federal courts. Frazier has been an active member of the bar, including prior service as President of the J.L. Turner Legal Foundation, and service on a range of committees for the Dallas Bar Association and the Texas State Bar, including Woman in the Law and Civic Service. Frazier is an active member of her church. She and her husband have six children and are longtime Dallas County residents. Veretta has frequently volunteered on Democratic judicial and legislative campaigns.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District 68 Judge Martin Hoffman (IN)
Education: Judge Hoffman has a Bachelor's from Trinity University, JD from the University of Texas.
Profession: Judge Hoffman has more than 14 years on the bench, and more than 28 years of combined legal and judicial experience. He has presided over hundreds of jury trials and thousands of hearings in cases encompassing a wide array of civil matters.Judge Hoffman is avidly involved in the legal community and is known as an innovator, mentor and educator. Judge Hoffman recognizes the importance of bringing new perspectives and diversity into the legal field, and his internship program has given more than 250 law students access to the court and real-word experience on the workings of our civil justice system. He has worked to find opportunities to help the community both on and off the bench. He developed a unique "Foreclosure Fairness" program to address home equity foreclosures and give homeowners a voice in the process and a chance to keep their homes. He has been a volunteer for a range of organizations including Habitat for Humanity. He enjoys presiding over mock trials and was a mentor for the Skyline High School Mock Trial Team. Judge Hoffman is a strong supporter of diversity, from his court internship program to work he does within legal organizations. He has been an avid advocate for granting sister bar status for the Dallas Women Lawyers Association and the Dallas LGBT Bar Association. Judge Hoffman takes pride in running a fair, objective and highly-efficient court. He has consistently received among the highest approval ratings for the fifteen civil district and associate judges in the Dallas Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Polls. Judge Hoffman was named Trial Judge of the Year in 2018 by the American Board of Trial Advocates Dallas Chapter. In 2017, the Dallas Women Lawyers Association recognized me as the Outstanding Jurist of the Year. Also, in 2016, he was deeply honored to be awarded the Hon. Cleo R. Steele Committed Mentor Award by the J.L. Turner Legal Association.
Additional past awards include the Texas Attorney Mediators Coalition Outstanding Trial Judge Award, the Texas Tech Alumni Association Outstanding Service Award, the Texas Young Lawyer Association Oustanding Mentor Award and the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Outstanding Mentor Award. Judge Hoffman has been elected four times by the 11,000 members of the Dallas Bar to the Dallas Board of Directors. He was also selected by his peers at the George Allen Courthouse to serve at the Presiding Judge of the Central Jury Room for 2009, and as the Presiding Judgeof the Civil District Judges for 2014.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District 95 Judge Monica Purdy (IN)
Education: Judge Purdy earned an undergraduate degree from Spelman College and a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.
Profession: Her professional experience includes working as a magistrate judge in Dallas County. She was a member of Law Review and began her legal career at the Houston office of the national law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP. Building a practice focused on civil litigation and bankruptcy matters, she relocated to the firm’s Dallas office and was later promoted to partner. In this role, she assisted with various municipalities and other public agencies in the recovery of property taxes and related revenue, and successfully represented these governmental clients, which also included Dallas County, in a number of cases heard in jurisdictions across the United States. In 2004 Judge Purdy opened and built a private law practice in Dallas, primarily serving as regional counsel for Fortune 500 clients in litigation and collection disputes before state and federal courts. In 2010, she was appointed as Associate Judge for the City of Dallas, a position that allowed her to maintain a private practice while performing significant duties in the enforcement of the city’s laws and ordinances. Based on this experience, and backed with her passion for legal issues from both sides of the bench, she pursued and was appointed as Associate Judge of the State Civil District Courts. This position was selected by a merit panel in February 2013, consisting of the presiding thirteen elected State Civil Court Judges of the District Courts. Since her appointment and election to the bench, she has consistently received amongst the highest ratings, being ranked as one of the “top two” civil judges in the yearly judicial evaluation poll, evaluating judicial performance, conducted by the Dallas Bar Association of lawyers appearing before her court.
Source: https://judgemonicapurdy.com/about-judge-purdy/
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District 101 Judge Staci Williams (IN)
Education: Judge Williams received her bachelor's degree from Smith College in Massachusetts and her J.D. from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C
Profession: She has worked as corporate counsel in the defense telecommunications and retail industries. She has served as a trial attorney and an administrative judge for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, counsel to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, a municipal judge in Dallas and an attorney in private practice. Williams has also been on the arbitrator panels for the U.S. Postal Service, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers) Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Staci_Williams
Jurisdiction: Dallas
District 116 Judge Tonya Parker (IN)
Education: Judge Parker has a Bachelor's from the University of North Texas and a JD from Southern Methodist University. She has twice served as the Presiding Judge for the Dallas County Civil District Courts. Judge Parker has also served as the president of the Texas Association of District Judges. She is a member of the American Law Institute, and serves as an Adviser to the Institute's Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Remedies project. Judge Parker is consistently recognized for her performance and temperament on the bench. In the Dallas Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Polls for 2013-2019, her overall approval ratings exceed 92 percent, and are among the highest ratings of the judges evaluated in the polls. In January 2021, the Dallas Bar Association awarded Judge Parker the MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. JUSTICE AWARD in recognition of the barriers she has broken in the legal community and her commitment to the principal of equal justice under the law. For the second time in the last five years, the State Bar of Texas African-American Lawyers’ Section awarded her its DISTINGUISHED JURIST AWARD at its 2019 Annual Meeting in acknowledgment of the leadership role Judge Parker played in spearheading the Implicit Bias Project in the Dallas Civil District Courts. In 2018, the Dallas NAACP awarded her the PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR LEGAL EXCELLENCE. In 2017 she won four prestigious awards: the STONEWALL AWARD from the American Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Commission, the DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD FOR JUDICIAL SERVICE from SMU Dedman School of Law, the MAURA WOMEN HELPING WOMEN AWARD from the Dallas Women’s Foundation, and the TRAILBLAZER AWARD from IGNITE. Judge Parker has also been named TRIAL JUDGE OF THE YEAR by the Dallas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. While in private practice she earned the esteem of her peers. She was recognized as one of the top lawyers in Texas by being voted a SUPER LAWYERS RISING STAR three years in a row from 2006 to 2008, and again for a fourth time in 2010 just before she was elected to office. Also in 2010, she received OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARDS from both the J.L. Turner Legal Association and the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers. A few years prior, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers also named Judge Parker OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER OF DALLAS. The Dallas Bar Association recognized her with its OUTSTANDING MINORITY ATTORNEY AWARD and an AWARD OF EXCELLENCE. Judge Parker is also a former AMERICAN MARSHALL FELLOW, in which capacity she traveled throughout Europe for a period in 2005 to promote transatlantic relations and learn about the social, political and economic systems of various European countries. Source: https://judgetonyaparker.com/about-judge-parker.html
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District 134 Judge Dale Tillery (IN)
Education: Judge Tillery has a Bachelor's from the University of North Texas and a JD from Texas Tech University. He has extensive experience in civil trial law, and has more than 38 years of combined legal and judicial experience. Judge Tillery is certified as a specialist in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law. In addition to his service as a District Judge, Tillery also served in the Texas House of Representatives for the 105th District from 1994 through the end of 2001.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District 160 Judge Aiesha Redmond (IN) up for re-election in 2026. A graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, Judge Redmond was a member of the Law Review, graduated 8th out of 210 students and earned her law degree with Honors.
Awards
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Outstanding Service Award, Dallas Lawyers Magazine, 2021
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Who’s Who in Black Dallas, 2019, 2020
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Rising Star Award, Dallas Lawyers Magazine, 2019
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Exceptional Woman in Justice and Education, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., 2019
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Excellence in Service, National Bar Association, 2018
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Nation's Best Advocate, National Bar Association, 2018
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Women of Wisdom Award, Elite News, 2018
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Certificate of Appreciation, D.A. Hulcy S.T.E.A.M. Middle School, 2018
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Humanitarian Award, Suburban Dallas Desoto Section – NCNW, Inc., 2017
Affiliations
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Board Member, Dallas County Juvenile Board (2021-Present)
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Member, Texas Center for theJudiciary (2019-Present)
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Member, Texas Association of District Judges (2019-Present)
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Life Fellow, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (2020-Present)
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Fellow, Dallas Bar Foundation (2020-Present)
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Master, American Inns of Court Mac Taylor Chapter (2019-Present)
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Judicial Section Member, American Bar Association (2019-Present)
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Member, Texas District & County Attorneys Association (2013-2018)
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Member, Dallas Bar Association (2008-Present)
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Member, J.L. Turner Lega lAssociation (2008-Present)
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Member, American Bar Association(2008-Present)
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Member, Dallas Bar Association (2008-Present)
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Volunteer, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (2008-2014)
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Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (2002-Present)
Credentials
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Presiding Judge, 160th Civil District Court
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Litigation Attorney, Complex Commercial Litigation Division, Baker Botts, L.L.P.
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Assistant District Attorney, Dallas County District Attorney, Civil and Criminal Division
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Graduate, Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, with Honors
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Bachelor of Arts Degree, Southwest Texas University
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District Court 162 Kim Bailey up for re-election in 2024. Kim Bailey is a respected attorney and lifelong Democrat campaigning for the 162nd Civil District Court in Dallas County. Her long experience in civil law, and her strong commitment to fairness and efficiency, make her an ideal candidate to preside over this court. Kim Bailey is a highly experienced civil trial lawyer and litigator with more than 30 years in legal practice. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and Harvard University. Kim Bailey Phipps is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1991. Over the course of her career, Kim Bailey has gained first and second chair jury trial experience, and a broad background in civil matters like those handled by the 162nd Civil District Court. Her judicial philosophy is founded on the belief that fairness and justice are the ultimate goal in every case. Kim Bailey is committed to making sure every litigant is heard, and that the judicial process is fair and objective.
Source: https://kimbaileyforjudge.com/about-kim-bailey
Jurisdiction: Dallas
District 191 Judge Elizabeth Ginsberg
Education: Graduate of the University of Texas School of Law.
Profession: Ginsberg has more than 30 years of legal experience. She owns and operates her own law firm, representing both individuals and businesses in both state and federal court, at the trial court and appellate levels. Ginsberg has first chair trial experience and appeals in matters involving commercial disputes, real estate disputes, health care disputes, bankruptcy, employment claims, insurance coverage, environmental claims, products liability claims, personal injury claims, and injunctions. She served as a Briefing Attorney to the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas for Justice Davie L. Wilson. She has been named Best Lawyer by Texas Monthly. She and her husband are longtime Dallas residents who raised two daughters here. Besides her work as an attorney, Ginsberg has a long track record of volunteerism with community organizations and the Democratic Party.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
District 192 Maria Aceves Attorney (IN)
Eduction: Bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 2010. Aceves earned a law degree from the Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law in 2013.
Profession: Aceves' career experience includes working as an attorney at Aceves Law, PLLC. Aceves is an active member of the Mac Taylor Inn of Court, the Dallas Bar Association, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association. Aceves is also board secretary for Avance North Texas.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
District 193 Judge Bridgett Whitmore (IN)
Education: Tulane Law School , Yale University, Booker T. Washington H.S.P.V.A
Profession: Judge Whitmore was an Assistant District Attorney from1999 - 2002 and 2015 - 2017 which represents the State of Texas and Dallas County in civil matters within the County of Dallas. She was also First-Chair trial attorney representing Child Protective Services in termination of parental rights litigation.
She was a Regional Attorney from 2014 - 2015 which is an Attorney for the State of Texas serving the Department of Family and Protective Services within the Region 3 territory. Represented state agency in protective services litigation matters.
She was Attorney/Partner from 2002 - 2013 Which is an Attorney in the Dallas Office of a civil defense litigation law firm specializing in defending Fortune 500 Corporations in general litigation matters, including product liability, toxic tort, asbestos and silica, insurance defense, business and commercial litigation and employment litigation.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District Court 194 Judge Kim Cooks
Judge Kim Cooks has been a licensed attorney for 24 years and a Texas District Court Judge for the past 11 years. Judge Cooks was a trial attorney for 13 years in Criminal, Family, and Civil. She currently presides over Criminal Felony Cases. On the bench, Judge Cooks has an unwavering commitment to ensuring fairness, justice, and dignity when adjudicating cases. She is dedicated to upholding the integrity of the Judiciary. Judge Cooks is also a licensed medical technologist, a licensed realtor, a mediator, a certified personal trainer, a professional body builder, a mentor, a public speaker, and a social media influencer. Judge Cooks has been serving the Dallas Community for over 20 years, working tirelessly to make it a better place for everyone and for the next generation.
The love Judge Cooks has for all people, explains why she understands that
Justice and Safety are Better Together.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District 195 Judge Etta Janette Mullen
Education: Texas Woman's University and Law degree-Texas Southern University
Profession: Etta has over 34 years of combine legal and judicial experience.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District Court 203 Judge Raquel “Rocky” Jones (IN)
Judge Jones is an exemplary attorney with 24 years of diverse legal experience including prosecution, criminal defense and civil law. Over the past three years, I prided myself on dispensing justice with reliability, impartiality and fairness to both victims and the accused. I am running for re-election to ensure that accountability and justice remain on the court. You deserve a judge who will continue to hold people accountable for their actions by examining the root causes of why offenses are committed. The true test of a good contender often unfolds in the second round. As your current Judge of the 203rd Judicial District Court, I will continue to keep our communities safe and provide fairness to those accused. I am running because the citizens of Dallas County deserve a judge who has a thorough knowledge of the law and honors the laws she is sworn to uphold. When I took office, my goals were to restore accountability, reliability and justice to the Court, and if Dallas County voters allow me the honor of continuing to serve, I promise to maintain dependability in these areas. I am proud and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the presiding Judge of the 203rd Judicial District Court, and I would be honored to be re-elected, so I can continue making a difference in our judicial system. Since my election in 2018, I have been working to keep our communities safe and provide fairness to those accused, but there is still much work to be done. I need your continued support in the fight for equality and justice for all persons who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Source: https://rockyjonesforjudge.com/#about-rocky
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District 204 Judge Tammy Kemp (IN)
Education: Bachelor's University of Oklahoma, Law University of Oklahoma.
Profession: The Honorable Tammy Kemp is the Presiding Judge of the 204th Judicial District Court in Dallas County, Texas. Since taking the bench in 2015, Judge Kemp has successfully streamlined the court’s docket process, resulting in cost savings to taxpayers and the 204th consistently ranking among the top criminal district courts in the county. Kemp’s genuine commitment to serve the citizens of Dallas County has earned her a reputation of being accountable to the public, compassionate towards victims and fair to the accused.
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2015-Present: Judge, 204th District Court
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2006-2014: Assistant district attorney - criminal law, Dallas County
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1999-2000: Criminal law attorney in private practice
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1994-1999: Assistant district attorney - business organization and administrative law, Dallas County
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1990-1993: Retirement and administrative law assistant, Oklahoma Secretary of State
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1988-1990: Assistant attorney general, Oklahoma
Source: https://judgetammykemp.com/#hero
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Family District 254 Judge Kim Brown(IN)
Education: Bachelors from Spellman College and JD from the University of Texas School of Law.
Profession: State Attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Attorney for Lawyers Against Domestic Violence and Legal Services of North Texas. Managing Attorney of her own successful private law practice Kimberly C. Brown PC by serving clients in all areas of family law including protective orders, divorce, custody, paternity, child support and property actions in high conflict cases. Certified Mediator in Family and Civil law matters. Visiting Judge for Dallas County courts. At an early age, Kim Brown made a commitment to work against Domestic Violence in her career and as a community volunteer. When she was 12 and in junior high school, she received an opportunity to volunteer at a women's shelter. And she has continued to serve Dallas County’s shelters ever since. After graduating from law school, she went to work representing victims of violence in all areas of family law. She also is a child advocate and represents children who have been abused and neglected. Kim Brown is committed to helping and serving our families. She is also a board member with Anna’s House, Dallas Chapter Jack and Jill; and a former PTSA President at her daughter’s high school Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School. She and her family attend Greenville Avenue Church of Christ.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Family District Court 255 Judge Vonda Bailey (IN))
Education: bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2007. She earned a graduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2009 and a law degree from the Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2014.
Profession: She is the managing partner of the Law Office of Vonda Bailey, PLLC. She provides legal assistance in family law, which includes child support, child custody, divorce, and adoption. Vonda’s dedication to leadership is evident through her various service roles she has performed in the community. Her activities include hosting an annual Client Appreciation Yacht Party and Holiday Party where she collects donation items for the less fortunate and children, speaking at Career Day seminars at local schools, sponsoring little league football teams in Oak Cliff, and often providing pro bono services to those who have family law related issues. In an additional effort to give back to the community, Vonda created the viral show, which airs on Youtube,"Support Court with Judge Vonda B." to educate people about child support laws in Texas. Vonda, partnered with another TMSL alum, started the Bailey-Clarke Bar Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to current third year students at TMSL to assist with their Texas Bar related expenses. Through these efforts, they have awarded over $50,000 in scholarships. In September 2021, the bar scholarship was extended to include the University of North Texas College at Law. As a result of Vonda’s dedication to this endeavor, she was named 2019 Attorney of the Year by the Texas Southern University Dallas Alumni Chapter. Some other notable achievements include the Honorable Ron White Award (Dallas NAACP) and the Dorethea N. Hornbuckle Business Entrepreneur Award (Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.). Furthermore, Vonda formerly held a leadership position as Fundraising Chair with the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas Organization. She is also a member of the Dallas Bar Association, Super Lawyers Texas Rising Stars, Rated 10 Best Law Firms in Texas by The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and nominated for Best Lawyer Under 40 in Dallas. Given Vonda's commitment to service in the community, true compassion for others, and dedication to restoring fairness in the courtroom, Vonda embodies the characteristics necessary to be an effective and competent judge.
Source: https://www.vondabaileyforjudge.com/about
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Family District Court 256 Judge Heather Nicole Johnson
Education: Johnson earned a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University in 2001 and a law degree from the Southern University Law Center in 2011.
Profession: For over a decade, Heather Nicole Johnson has stood in Dallas County family courtrooms representing parents, children, and survivors through life’s most difficult moments. As Owner and Managing Partner of H. Nicole Law, she’s handled the cases that shape families’ futures: custody battles, domestic violence, divorce, child protection, and support matters. Heather Nicole Johnson didn’t come up through courthouse politics. She came up through the trenches of family law. For over a decade, she has stood in Dallas County courtrooms beside parents, children, and survivors, fighting for safety, stability, and truth in the moments that matter most. Heather leads with hope, heart, and honor, while bringing sharp legal judgment, real-world experience, and an unshakable commitment to fairness.
Heather isn’t a courthouse politician. She’s a family law attorney who knows what’s at stake.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District Court 265 Judge Jennifer Bennett (IN)
Education: Old Dominion University, Bachelor of Science, Criminalistics and Criminal Science JD from
Southern Methodist University.
Profession: Prior Asst. District Attorney for Dallas and Harris Counties. 265th Judicial District Court State Judge; Assistant District Attorney, Dallas County District Attorney's Office, Assistant District Attorney,
Harris County District Attorney's Office
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District Court 282 Judge Alison Grinter Allen
Alison is Board Certified and has been practicing criminal law for twenty years here in Dallas County. She has handled over ten thousand criminal cases in Dallas County, from misdemeanors to the most serious capital felonies. Alison is a former Dallas County Public Defender, and served for over two years in the Mental Health division working closely with our community mental health providers. Alison has maintained a pro bono civil rights docket throughout her career, focusing on voting rights, freedom to protest, and maintaining humane jail and prison conditions. Alison has served as Councilwoman Paula Blackmon’s appointed board member on the Dallas Community Police Oversight Board, and she volunteers her time at the Good Street Baptist Church Legal Clinic.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Felony Criminal District Court 283 Judge Lela Lawrence Mays (IN)
Judge Lela Mays established the Successful Treatment of Addiction Through Collaboration (S.T.A.C.) Court, providing judicial oversight and directional guidance for over 250 felony probationers in a post-adjudication, drug-treatment court that reduces recidivism and saves hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. I continue to preside over the S.T.A.C. Court today. I began my work in specialty courts in DIVERT court in 2002 and established and presided over the I.I.P. Court, Intensive Intervention Program from 2007-2009.I have been a member of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church for over 30 years. I am proud of the "Corrections Ministry" that we established in 2015 to work with individuals that have had any contact with the criminal justice system where we assist to identify resources and guide those individuals to get back on their feet. Then, in 2020 we partnered with Legal Aid of Northwest Texas and began ID Impact Texas, which assists all individuals, in clearing up tickets and getting their ID and driver's license free from barriers and suspensions.
There is much work ahead of us. The 283rd Judicial District Court will continue to have someone leading it with experience, demonstrated leadership, dedication and a thorough knowledge of Dallas County, its laws, its courts and its culture. Your endorsement and vote for me will allow Dallas County to continue to have someone who has that and more.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Criminal District Court 291 Judge Stephanie N. Mitchell-Huff (IN)
Education: Bachelor's University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Law University of Kansas, School of Law. She is a former District Attorney at Dallas County District Attorney's Office.
Profession: After being admitted to the State Bar of Texas in November 2006, she practiced civil litigation and criminal defense before joining the Navarro County District Attorney’s Office in 2007 as the Chief Juvenile Prosecutor. In 2008, she began prosecuting at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, where as a misdemeanor prosecutor, she received the coveted “Heavy Hitter” award for her outstanding work as lead counsel in countless jury trials. This subsequently led to her being recognized as the 2010 Dallas County “Rookie of the Year”. In 2012, she assisted in starting the Dallas County District Attorney’s Citizens Prosecutor Academy, where she helped establish the curriculum and served as a presenter on a variety of criminal law topics. Judge Mitchell Huff’s outstanding track record of successfully prosecuting felony cases and working with victims of domestic violence led to her being awarded the 2012 Dallas County District Attorney’s Office “Prosecutor of the Year”.From 2013-2014, she served as the Chief Felony Prosecutor of the Dallas County Gang Unit where she handled the prosecution of all criminal cases involving documented gang members and/or gang violence for the entire county including all 17 felony district courts. During this time she announced her candidacy for the 291 st Judicial District Court and after a landslide victory in the Democratic Primary, she went on to be sworn in as the youngest sitting Criminal District Court Judge in Dallas County, Texas on January 1, 2015. In addition to her judicial duties, Judge Mitchell Huff is involved in a number of civic organizations, is a member of Concord Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Felony Criminal District Court 292 Judge Brandon Birmingham (IN)
Education: Judge Birmingham earned an undergraduate degree from Baylor University, going on to receive his J.D. from the South Texas College of Law.
Profession: "I promise to apply the law fairly and impartially, and fiercely maintain an independent judiciary."Judge Birmingham has experience as a chief felony prosecutor and a cold case unit chief. Judge Birmingham’s vast experience as lead counsel in all types of felony cases and as the presiding judge in nearly 100 jury trials (none of which have been reversed) guide his judgement and temperament. Being a Judge isn’t a popularity contest. It’s about making decisions so that outcomes in criminal cases stand firmly on two pillars: the law as equally applied and the facts as they are fairly and fully developed.
Innovation In an effort to avoid mass incarceration, Judge Birmingham established the A.I.M Court, a unique second chance specialty docket that has allowed over 150 youthful offenders the opportunity to avoid the permanent effects of a felony conviction.
Source: https://judgebirmingham.com/about/
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Civil District Court 298 Judge Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith has broad experience in Texas civil law, including service as both a plaintiff's attorney and a defense attorney. She has represented individuals and businesses in a wide range of civil matters. Ashley is uniquely prepared to serve as a judge on day one, due to her familiarity with the kinds of cases handled by the 298th District Court. The most important thing that anyone appearing in court deserves is fair and unbiased proceedings. Ashley Smith has a 360 degree understanding of civil law, and her number one goal is ensuring fairness for every person, no matter who they are."Ashley Smith has been named a Super Lawyers "Texas Rising Star" from 2023 to 2025. She made the Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" list in 2023 and 2024. She served as the Course Director for the State Bar Advanced Personal Injury Planning Committee, and was also an American Board of Trial Advocates National Trial Judge Fellow in 2022. She is a graduate of Texas Tech School of Law.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Family District Court 301Judge Danielle Clark
Education: Bachelors of Arts in Government and Sociology and Juris Doctor
Profession: I have spent over a decade on the bench presiding over family law matters and understand both the legal and human impact of every decision. My leadership is grounded in fairness, preparation, and respect for all parties. Docket management should balance efficiency with due process. Courts must move cases forward in a timely manner while ensuring parties are heard and decisions are thoughtful. Preparation, clear expectations, and flexibility are key to fair and effective case management. Judges must strictly follow ethical rules and ensure transparency. Contributions can never influence decisions, and judges must be willing to recuse themselves when impartiality could reasonably be questioned. Protecting public trust is paramount.
A judge must be patient, impartial, and composed. The proper temperament includes careful listening, emotional restraint, and the ability to balance firmness with compassion. Judges must remain fair and respectful, especially in high-stress situations, to maintain public trust.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Family District Court 302 Judge Sandra Jackson (IN)
Profession:
Judge Sandra Jackson presides over the 302nd District Court of Texas, a family court with jurisdiction in Dallas County. She has 40 years of combined legal and judicial experience.
Judge Sandra Jackson believes that the most important thing everyone deserves when they go to court is the chance to be heard. She listens. She makes sure there is a fair hearing of the facts. Her goal is achieving the most just result possible. Judge Sandra Jackson knows how stressful family court can be. She is particularly concerned about the impact on children. She has the wisdom and compassion to administer justice and help families through a difficult process.
Source: https://judgesandrajackson.com/
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Family District Court 303 Judge LaDeitra Adkins (IN)
Education: .A graduate of Dallas’ Skyline High School, LaDeitra studied Criminal Justice at Prairie View A&M, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1997. She is the first in her grandmother’s lineage to become a college graduate. LaDeitra went on to obtain her Juris Doctor degree in the year 2000 from South Texas School of law.
Profession: LaDeitra has practiced law for 21+ years concentrating in the area of family law with experience in all aspects therein. She also has extensive experience in the area of child welfare and juvenile law matters. LaDeitra has served as amicus attorney for children in high-conflict private child custody cases and has handled a number of these complex cases as principal attorney. LaDeitra is a past chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee and the 6A Grievance Committee, both calculated positions extending her desire to serve into her profession. After helping a number of colleagues accede to the bench, LaDeitra founded Candidate Connection Group, a campaign consulting firm whose clients shared her values, her dedication to fairness, her respect for others and a respect for the rule of law while insisting on efficiency of the process. In her commitment to serve and give back to the community, LaDeitra continues to dedicate innumerable pro bono hours representing grandparents and others seeking custody of children in their extended family.
Source: https://ladeitraadkinsforjudge.com/about/
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Juvenile District Court 304 Judge Andrea Martin (IN)
Education: Bachelor's Our Lady of the Lake University, Law Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. Former Profession: Owner at Martin Law Firm, Former Assistant District Attorney at Dallas County District Attorney's Office, Studied at Texas A&M University School of Law
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Juvenile District Court 305 Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon (IN)
Education: Bachelor's University of Houston, Law University of Houston Law Center.
Profession: Hon. Cheryl Lee Shannon has been a District Judge in Dallas County for the past thirteen years, presiding over the 305th District Court hearing juvenile matters, child abuse and neglect cases and a myriad of matters relating to parental
termination/adoption issues. She was formerly an Associate Judge in Dallas County for both the 304th and 305th District Courts and held this position for four years before being elected to the Bench. Judge Shannon graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Political Science in 1979 and from the University of Houston Law Center in 1982. Upon completion of Law School she worked in various areas of the legal profession including real estate, corporate and family law. Judge Shannon currently serves as the Chairman of the Dallas County Juvenile Board, President of the Dallas County Charter School Board, Chairman of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, is a member of the State Bar of Texas Juvenile Justice Committee and has recently been appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to serve on the Judicial Commission for Youth, Children and Families. She has formerly served as a Board Member of Texas CASA, Board Member of Texas School Safety Center Board, Supreme Court Task Force of Foster Care and Committees relating to Youth Issues that are too numerous to name. She is active member of the Juvenile Section of the Dallas Bar Association and has served on the Nominations Committee for the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas. She has been recognized by Dallas CASA and many local civic organizations for her commitment to children. Judge Shannon has been a previous presenter to the Advanced Family Law Course in 2004 – “Kinship – The Ties that Bind” replicated by the Dallas Bar Association and Juvenile Law Conference in 2005 and 2006 respectively and Advanced Family Law Course in 2007 – Gestational Agreements, Termination and Adoption. Judge Shannon is a frequent presenter in Dallas County in Seminars and Conferences relating to Juvenile Law and Child Abuse and Neglect Matters.
Source: https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/juvenile/board/shannon.php
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Family District Court 330th Judge Tamika Jones
Education: I earned my law degree from Texas Wesleyan School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law), where I graduated in the top quarter of my class, was a Dean’s List honoree, and founded a fellowship to support public-interest legal work.
Professio: I am a family law attorney and judge, and I have dedicated my career to serving children and families right here in Dallas County. I am board certified in both Family Law and Child Welfare Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Only 1% of Texas lawyers hold this distinction. I earned these certifications through years of rigorous practice and hands-on experience. Throughout my career, I have handled complex family law matters, including custody disputes, CPS cases, property matters, and high-conflict litigation, always keeping the safety and well-being of children at the forefront.
My professional journey includes serving as an associate judge to the 7 Dallas County Family District Courts, working as a senior associate at a respected family law firm, founding my own family law practice, and spending nearly a decade as a staff attorney with Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, representing low-income families throughout Dallas County. During that time, I litigated jury trials, argued appeals, and was part of the legal team that successfully represented mothers in the largest child custody case in United States history.
Jurisdiction: Dallas
Felony Criminal District Court 363D Judge Cynthia Garza
I’m running for judge of the 363rd Judicial District Court in Dallas County, Texas and have over 21 years’ experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney. I’ve been instrumental in the exoneration of many innocent individuals. I am honored to be the recipient of the Mexican American Bar Association-Dallas public service Campeona de la Comunidad Award (Community Champion Award) for my work as Chief of the Conviction Integrity Unit of the Dallas DA’s office, exonerating innocent individuals. Thank you for this recognition and for the opportunity to remind everyone that we, as a country but especially as individuals, should never forget or take for granted the grave consequences of neglecting the Constitutional rights afforded to all. Remember to always do good and keep your compass calibrated!
Jurisdiction: Dallas