What experience and attributes of yours make you believe you will be (or already are) a good judge?

Since 2012, I have worked every day as a Circuit Judge to apply the law consistently, treat everyone with dignity, and run a courtroom that is prepared and efficient.

I began with a juvenile docket and later expanded my work to Veterans Treatment Court and Drug Treatment Court.  I have presided over civil litigation cases since 2020. When I assumed that docket, more than 2,000 cases were pending. In my first 18 months, I closed more than 1,300 cases—because timely access to justice matters, and litigants deserve to be heard without unnecessary delay.

The attributes I bring to the bench are steady judgment, patience, and a strong work ethic. I prepare. I listen. I treat people respectfully and work to ensure every litigant receives a fair, timely, and lawful decision. That is why I believe I am, and will continue to be, a good judge.

What are your top two values in life that inform everything you do?

Service and integrity.

I have spent much of my career serving the public as a judge.  I’ve focused a lot of my time, both on the bench and as a lawyer before that, on families and our youth.  I also work hard to serve our veterans and people working to rebuild their lives through Veterans Treatment Court and Drug Treatment Court.

As the famous C.S. Lewis quote says, “Integrity means doing the right thing when no one is watching.”  As a judge, I believe that means being fair, following the law, treating every person with dignity, and making decisions based on the facts and the record.

How would you describe the role of the judiciary in protecting our democratic republic?

The judiciary is an important part of our system of checks and balances. Courts don’t make policy, but they do interpret and apply the Constitution and laws, and they ensure that government officials stay within their legal authority. This is especially important for protecting individual rights and for people who may not have power or influence.

The courts also support democracy by giving people a fair and peaceful way to resolve disputes. When people feel heard, treated with respect, and given a thoughtful decision based on the law, they are more likely to accept the outcome even if it isn’t what they hoped for. That trust helps keep our society stable.

The Arkansas motto is Regnat Populus, or “The People Rule.” What does that phrase mean to you?

Regnat Populus, or “The People Rule,” means the government exists to serve the public.  Regarding the court system, I believe it means that the courts protect the public’s right to a system where the law is applied fairly for all regardless of political belief, public opinion, or power.  

It serves as a reminder that, as a judge, I am a public servant.  My job is to uphold the Constitution, apply the law consistently, and ensure an impartial and timely decision for every person that comes before my court.

Which one of the United States Supreme Court Justices most reflects your judicial philosophy? Why is this the case?

I don’t know that my philosophy completely aligns with any one particular Justice.  There are things that I admire about the approaches taken by many Justices that have served on the United States Supreme Court, both current and former, although I may have not always agreed with decisions they reached.

For example, I admired Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s careful preparation, hard work, and deep respect for equal dignity under that law.  On the other hand, I admired Justice Antonin Scalia for his insistence that judges keep personal policy preferences out of legal interpretation.  

Each of those things are reflected in my own philosophy: be thoroughly prepared, follow the law, decide each case on the record before me, and treat every person who comes to court with dignity and respect.

How will you balance being an independent judge and an elected official?

I listen to the public and remain accountable for how I serve, but I remain independent in how I rule.  I believe I am accountable to the voters for my integrity, work ethic, and the way I run my courtroom.  The public has every right to expect that I will treat people with dignity, manage the docket responsibly, and make timely decisions based upon the law and the record.  

What the public cannot expect is that I will decide cases based on public pressure, donations, politics, or headlines.

Tell us about a time when there were no good options regarding a court case. How did you navigate that situation?

Judicial ethics rules prevent me from discussing any specific case. In every case, someone will be unhappy with the outcome. My responsibility is to review the law and the facts carefully and make the decision that is legally correct and as fair as possible.  

Are you a member of any civic, educational, or charitable organizations? If so, which one(s) and what motivated you to choose to work with them?

Judges must stay impartial and avoid even the appearance of bias. That’s why I limit memberships that could raise questions about fairness or create conflicts, and I avoid groups that take positions on issues that may come before the court. My goal is to stay connected to the community while protecting the integrity of the bench.

I do maintain membership in professional organizations because I find they provide excellent opportunities for continuing legal education and help me stay up to date on changes in the law.  I am a member of the Pulaski County Bar Association, where I served as president from 2009 to 2010.  I am also a member of the Arkansas Bar Association, Judge Henry Woods Inn of Court, and previous member of the Junior League of Little Rock. 

What are the three most important areas where the administration of justice can be improved in district courts, and what improvements do you plan to make if elected? If already elected, what progress have you made toward these goals?

I believe the most important ways to improve justice are resolving cases on time, making sure everyone can access the courts, and being consistent and professional so people can trust the system. People in circuit court deserve clear expectations, efficient scheduling, and decisions based on the law and facts.

As judge, I have already worked to improve these areas by using scheduling to move cases forward without unnecessary delays, and I will continue to make the docket more efficient.

  A fair court should be clear and easy to understand. I will continue to make expectations clear, give practical guidance about procedures, and issue clear orders to avoid confusion and prevent repeat hearings. 

Finally, I will continue to expect professionalism and readiness from everyone in the courtroom and make sure each person is treated equally, no matter who they are or what resources they have. The court’s job is to apply the law, protect rights, and treat every person with dignity.