VOTE411 Voter Guide

The business of the Chancery Court is devoted to matters involving deep emotional and stressful family issues, probate matters, minor settlements, and real property disputes. It also has jurisdiction over litigation involving state agencies. The last thing the parties or legal counsel need is a judge who is rude, disrespectful, opinionated, and making snap decisions on the issues in dispute without giving due consideration to all sides. My general judicial philosophy is to ensure that the foundation of my rulings will be based upon competency: my ability to render justice in accordance with law; compassion: to show respect as to the parties and legal counsel; and civility: to maintain a spirit of humble civility on the bench. Supreme Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is my role model as she has exemplified these qualities on the Supreme Court of the United States.

Although judges are elected, the elections are non-partisan and their rulings are based upon the facts before them and the rule of law. I will balance being an independent judge by rendering rulings that are not partial. I will adhere to the principles of an independent judge which will rule without impartiality, maintain an independent decorum, and not engage in politics as an elected official.

With 30-years as a practicing legal professional, I have practiced law in Justice Court, County Court, Circuit Court, and the Mississippi Supreme Court. I have also practiced law before the federal district courts, and I am licensed to practice law before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in civil and criminal matters of law. I served as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Jackson for 10-years where I professed the requisite skills to effectively render sound rulings in various areas of law which came before me as a presiding judge. My law practice has consisted of jurisdictional areas of law which come before a Chancery Court Judge such as family law; real property disputes; probate and estate disputes; as well as litigation involving state agencies. I have the integrity, emotional stability, wisdom as well as the intellectual ability to bring justice within the rule of law while maintaining a courtroom with civil decorum.

My judicial philosophy is rooted in three important and impactful concepts--safety, security, and stability. I know first hand the importance of safety for our children, as I am a former foster child, turned licensed foster parent raised by my seventh grade reading teacher. Security comes from being safe. My rights were protected by my foster parents. I now protect the rights of everyone who stand before me in court. I also ensure that the law works for everyone. Stability is the final product. Stability ensures that our children and families can thrive because they have been kept safe, their rights have been protected, and they have been given an opportunity to live productive lives.

As your incumbent judge, I am unbought. I pride myself on being independent and doing what is in the best interest of our children and families. I know first hand the importance of someone being my voice when I was once voiceless as a child in transition. Therefore, I prioritize the people, not the powerful.

As your incumbent judge, my life and legal experiences have given me a unique perspective to most effectively serve our children amd families of Hinds County. I am a former foster child, turned licensed foster parent, who was ultimately raised by my seventh grade reading teacher. Those life experiences make me effective in prioritizing safety for a our children, security for our seniors, and stability for our families. Legally, I have championed the rights of injured workers at Morgan & Morgan, provided security for families across the State in various family law courts, and priortized safety for the citizens of Hinds County as an Assistant District Attorney.