Page 8 - Dallas Vol 6 No 1

JUDICIAL PROFILE
I think my legal hero, as well as my just plain hero, would havetobemylatefather.He had the wonderful ability to connect to people and make them feel heard.”
AALM: How did you transition from your career as an attorney to your career as a judge? What prompted the change?
Brown: Prior to being hired as an associate judge for the Family District Courts in 1996, I worked for the District Attorney’s O ce representing Child Protective Services in cases where children had been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. My o ce was in the George Al- len Courts Building, and all my hearings and trials were held before one of the seven Family District Court judges or associate judges, so the scenery didn’t really change at all, just my role. I had
A Conversation
Judge
an 18-month old at home at the time, and not having to spend large periods of time outside of work hours preparing for trials was a big positive for me, as was the fact that no longer would my wok consist solely of child abuse cases. In Family Court, I would hear cases involving a variety of issues. Applying for an associate judge position when one became open was a logical next step for me. A er 18 years as an associ- ate judge, I made the decision to run for the 301st District Bench. I was elected and began my rst term in January 2015 and ran un- opposed for a second term which just began in January 2019.
AALM: Describe your style in the courtroom.
Brown: I would say that my style in the courtroom is focused on getting things done. I like to think that my rules, written and
unwritten, are grounded in prac- ticality.
AALM: Describe your relation- ship with your sta .
Brown: My sta members are the best! But it’s not just the court sta that make up our team. e deputy district clerks assigned to 301, as well as the baili s sup- plied by the Sheri ’s department, are also crucial members. In fact, we received the Dallas Bar Asso- ciation’s Best Court Sta award for 2018, so it’s not just me who thinks they are wonderful. Each member works hard to serve the public and to ensure that the court runs e ciently and e ectively.
ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · DALLAS· VOL. 6 NO. 1 8