Today we’d like to introduce you to Judge Amber Givens-Davis.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
There was no roadmap to the bench for me. I found my place in purpose. In 2013, as a prosecutor, I proudly accepted my duty to seek justice and never saw myself doing anything else. It wasn’t until a victim in a white-collar crime case brought it to my attention that a particular case had been indicted by the grand jury and several years passed without one scheduled Court date. My research revealed that this was not an isolated incident and that it was a widely-known issue. Neither the victim or the accused receives justice from a system that allows cases to sit stale for years on end without any Court settings. I realized that I was uniquely positioned to help remedy this issue and in August 2013, I decided to run for Judge of the 282nd Judicial District Court.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I never expected the road to be smooth based on the purpose my journey is rooted in. I don’t let that discourage me. In fact, it serves as motivation as I create programs to bridge the gap between the community and the courthouse. My advice to young women who just purchased their ticket on the wild ride of life… be bold, be present, and remember that your true potential is found right outside of your comfort zone.
Please tell us about the 282nd Judicial District Court.
I serve as the Presiding Judge of the 282nd Judicial District Court. I preside over a felony court and hear cases ranging from enhanced theft to capital murder. Since taking the bench in January 2015, I am extremely excited about the programs I created to serve the Dallas Community. The Empowerment Program is a supplemental felony probation program that equips probationers with the necessary life skills and support to successfully complete probation and pay it forward to the community. The Word of Mouth Series [WOM] is an enlightening series that demystifies the criminal law justice system. I partnered with three other colleagues and created Pipeline to Possibilities [PTP]. PTP creates a space for high school and middle school students to learn about the criminal justice system and leadership.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
My Mother has always jokingly called me her “persistent child” because she underwent a tubal ligation procedure and years later she gave birth to me. When I reflect on my life there has been one major constant…God. He has carried me through my life’s challenges… losing my Father several weeks before law school graduation, financial aid struggles in law school, sitting for both the New York and Texas bar exams, etc. He has been my rock and has always challenged me to serve my community, whether it was NAACP President at Tuskegee University, AmeriCorps member, Vice President of the Syracuse University College of Law Student Union, to my current day service as a Judge and much more. I have found that service rooted in purpose is rewarding and long-lasting.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ambergivensdavis.com
- Phone: 214-771-8985
- Email: amber@ambergivensdavis.com
- Instagram: @judgeambergivensdavis
- Twitter: @judgeamber
Image Credit:
Amber Givens-Davis Facebook and Instagram
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