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Position/philosophy statement
Candidate for District Court Judge - Durham District Court needs a judge, like me, with expertise in the laws that address children and families!
Current Occupation
Senior Assistant County Attorney in Durham County Attorney's Office
Age (optional)
46
Campaign Phone
919-283-9033
I’m a lawyer with twenty years of experience in district court including child abuse/neglect, custody, divorce, equitable distribution, spousal and child support, domestic violence, juvenile, general civil matters, and traffic court. I have learned intersecting aspects of criminal and immigration law to better represent clients. I have litigated hundreds of cases and have experience in private practice, government employment, and nonprofit work. I’m an experienced leader (former Durham Bar president, Chair of Durham’s Child Protection and Child Fatality Prevention Teams, and founder of JusticeMatters’ Family Law services). I’m certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist. I’m a hard worker and will be a fair and impartial judge.
I am a Democrat, but a judge’s role is not to advance a political platform. Judges must be independent decision-makers who are open-minded and impartial. I will be that. A judge must give all parties an opportunity to be heard, consider all evidence, apply the law fairly and equitably, and communicate orders clearly (using an interpreter if needed). I will do that. My party affiliation reflects my views on public policy, but it will not guide my rulings from the bench. As a judge, I will rely on my legal education, professional experience, and commitment to fairness, due process, and equal treatment under the law. I will treat everyone with respect and will serve with humility.
I grew up in Durham (RHS ’97, Duke ’01, NCCU Law ’05) and have dedicated my career to serving children and families through private practice and the NC Guardian ad Litem Program. I developed JusticeMatters’ family law initiative and learned from my clients the daily challenges and strengths of our immigrant community. I have been involved with the court system as a witness, an adoptive parent, and as a family member of criminal defendants. My brother and husband served in Iraq, giving me insight into veterans’ experiences. I understand the powerful impact of the court system on families and the need to make courts trauma-informed.
I am proud that our Durham County District Court has hosted many pilot programs over the years because of its commitment to trying new things to address systemic injustices. I believe there is one key area in which the Durham County District Court can improve right now, and I believe I am uniquely qualified to help. District court is often unnecessarily stressful for plaintiffs, defendants, victims, family members, and court personnel. The mental health principles of trauma-informed care should be applied to each court room by a team of stakeholders with the guidance of a mental health professional. JusticeMatters has consistently applied trauma-informed principles to its legal services, and I was responsible for its application to family law services and for teaching other professionals to do the same. I would love an opportunity to guide Durham District Courts toward being more trauma-informed. The cost to bring this change would be relatively low with significant benefits.
