The schedule of a judge is usually a very hectic one. They have cases to hear and dockets to clear and Judge Vonda Bailey is no exception. The Honorable Judge Vonda presides over the 255th District Family Court in Dallas, which includes child support, child custody, divorce and adoption. She has served as a judge since January 1, 2023 and prior to that position, she was a very successful family law attorney. Southern Dallas Magazine was pleased to get an opportunity to interview the ever-busy judge.
SDM- Judge Vonda, you are a Dallas native, having graduated from David W. Carter High School. You then you went on to get both your bachelors and masters degree from The University of Texas at Arlington and in 2014, you received your law degree from The Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Growing up, did you always have an interest in law?
Judge Vonda B-Yes, I did. I was literally raised in a law enforcement family. My dad was a lieutenant with the Dallas Sheriff’s Department then later a Deputy Chief with the Dallas Constables Office. As a child, my mother worked as a clerk in the felony courts for the Dallas County District Clerk’s Office. She later became a supervisor with the same office until retirement. I also have a plethora of family members who worked for the Texas Department of Corrections as well as law enforcement throughout the state of Texas. Needless to say, law was already a huge part of my family so I almost immediately had exposure to it.
SDM- You are also married with kids. How have you been able to balance being a busy judge as well as a wife and mother?
Judge Vonda B-Honestly, I still haven’t figured out the balance and not sure if I ever will. For the most part, my husband and I incorporate family time into the various things we have going on in our professional lives. Because I set my court’s docket, I have the flexibility to leave the bench and attend to the different activities that my husband may have or either of our children. It is nonetheless constant on the go and moving but we do our best to make moments for each other and our children.
SDM- You were a successful family law attorney prior to becoming a judge. Did you just wake up one day and want to become a judge or was it something else?
Judge Vonda B-It was something else. No one in their right mind would walk away from making money daily with a successful family law firm and creating social media content to getting paid once a month!! It was a decision that required much prayer and support from my family. At the time I decided to run for judge, I wasn’t even a resident of Dallas County. I lived in Ellis County so when the decision was made to run, we immediately started house hunting and able to purchase a new home in two months. It was calculated perfectly. To be eligible, I knew I had to be a resident of Dallas County two years prior to the November election so we acted fast and it worked out. It was one of the most challenging yet regarding decisions that I have made in my professional career. I truly enjoy doing what I have always done since I was a small child: giving back to my community.
SDM- What brings you the most fulfillment as a family law judge?
Judge Vonda B- Thinking outside of the box. I have never been a “status quo” or “go along to get along” type of person so I knew I would be an outsider. I was around judges my entire life so I didn’t have a reason to fear them. I quickly learned my experience was rare considering my frequent interaction with judges because of my mother working with them in the courts. Many people feared judges. Some of them were not “friendly” and were not visible in the community. From what I remember, I never seen some of them smile. My personality was not one of the typical judges I experienced growing up. I am fashionable, bubbly, very outgoing, and always creating some idea. I understand that my duties as a family court judge involve serious matters; however, that does not mean I cannot show my personality in a way where people know I stand on business and that I am down to earth. I love being my authentic self. It is a character trait I believe sets me apart from anyone else and allows people to see me not only as a judge but someone who is relatable. I am like anyone else: I am a child of God, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and human being at the end of the day.
SDM- Although you are busy behind the bench, you are also immersed in the community. Giving back to the community seems to be very important to you. Why is that so vital?
Judge Vonda B-Service is all I know. When we were little, our parents had us participate in feeding the homeless frequently on the weekends. We also did clothing drives often. I was too young to appreciate what my parents were trying to show me. There are so many less fortunate people in the world, and we needed to be more like Christ in giving back to them. Those lessons stuck with me to this day. You will always see me volunteering, donating time and money, and often busy with some sort of community engagement event.
SDM- Politics can be very nasty at times, especially in today’s often toxic political environment. How do you deal with that and do the job at hand?
Judge Vonda B-Great question and the answer is simple: I don’t care enough to be bothered. Prior to taking the bench, I asked God for three things: patience, discernment, and strength. I knew coming into politics what I would potentially encounter but I also knew God was the source of everything I needed. In essence, I live by a “let them” motto. I let them talk. I let them gossip. I let them believe whatever they want to believe or think of me. That is literally none of my business.
SDM- Many people know you through social media. It’s just one of the tools you use to communicate and engage positively with the community. How has social media changed political messaging as you see it?
Judge Vonda B- You will hardly ever see me post about politics on my social media platforms. That is very intentional. I have found that not everything you are thinking should be posted on social media because it can lead to mischaracterization and misinterpretation and when I consider the pros the cons, it’s not worth the energy.
SDM- What are some things that you are proud of as judge that the public might not be aware of?
Judge Vonda B-I am most proud of my growth. I was a fighter. I used to be a very hot-headed person. If you looked at me wrong or your voice tone was slightly louder than I could tolerate, it was going down like Smackdown. Through the years, I learned that it got me into trouble, and I knew if my intentions were to become an attorney someday, I had to change the fighter mindset from one that was physical to mental. Back then, I thought I had something to prove but God has a way of humbling each of us. The Vonda today lives to be a testimony for the next person on how a positive mindset is a major key towards success.
SDM- How has your faith shaped you as a judge?
Judge Vonda B-In every way. It starts from the moment my feet touch the floor in the morning until I close my eyes at night. My faith is present from the moment I step into the courtroom and I believe it is necessary for others to see this in me. How I treat every single person I encounter in the courtroom is governed by my faith. There are times I have had to step away from the bench and pray because of the stories told in the courtroom. I pray to ensure I not only maintain a certain decorum from the bench but to also ask God for guidance in making the right decision.
SDM- You could return to practicing law, but you want to continue as judge and seek re-election. Why should voters cast their ballot for you?
Judge Vonda B-I encourage voters to look beyond my race, gender, or any other trivial reason they have voted for judges in the past. Since my date of matriculation to the bench, January 1, 2023, I have shown what it means to be a family court judge. I love helping people navigate the somewhat challenging world of family law as well as use the courtroom as a resource for the community. All seven Dallas County family courts are a resource and one of our priorities should be to improve the bench from where we found it. Through each of my Lunch & Learn sessions, maintaining efficiency by allowing litigants to appear via Zoom, live streaming of cases on Youtube, opening the courtroom to spectators, allowing students to regularly visit the courtroom, and constant visibility in the community—not only during election season, I have proven my dedication to service both on and off the bench. Voters should cast their vote for me because I have EARNED it.
SDM- For those who would like to know more about you, how can they follow you or get more information about you?
Judge Vonda B-You may follow me on Facebook (Vonda Bailey Shaw) and Instagram (judge_vondab). Both are verified accounts so I should be easy to find on social media. My campaign’s website is vondabaileyforjudge.com. Follow me. Thank you for your time!
