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Ballot Pedia, Kim Cooks

Kim received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. She is a mother.

Kim previously worked as a Texas attorney and trial attorney.

Kim Cooks previously served as the Judge of the Texas 255th District Court. She held this position from 2015 to 2022.

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As a state district court judge, she oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As an attorney at the Law Office of Kim A. Cooks, she researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in family, criminal, and juvenile law.

Received the 2019 Thurgood Marshall Law School Exemplary Service to the Judiciary & Legal Community in Family Law award.

- As a state district court judge, she oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As an attorney at the Law Office of Kim A. Cooks, she researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in family, criminal, and juvenile law.
- Received the 2019 Thurgood Marshall Law School Exemplary Service to the Judiciary & Legal Community in Family Law award.

Legal Experience

Supports mediation to resolve court cases and was awarded the 2016 Dallas County Dispute Resolution Service Award for doing so.

Plans to address the current dismissal rate of cases, specifically the "430 cases...dismissed in fiscal year 2023." Said, "Justice has been DELAYED and DENIED."

- Supports mediation to resolve court cases and was awarded the 2016 Dallas County Dispute Resolution Service Award for doing so.
- Plans to address the current dismissal rate of cases, specifically the "430 cases...dismissed in fiscal year 2023." Said, "Justice has been DELAYED and DENIED."

Judicial Administration

Believes in ensuring "judicial justice" for all through community relationships and cultural understanding.

Believes his candidacy supports "Progress and Inclusivity" and embodies "resilience, intellect, and a commitment to justice that transcends boundaries."

Says her candidacy supports "Progress and Inclusivity" and embodies "resilience, intellect, and a commitment to justice that transcends boundaries."

- Believes in ensuring "judicial justice" for all through community relationships and cultural understanding.
- Says her candidacy supports "Progress and Inclusivity" and embodies "resilience, intellect, and a commitment to justice that transcends boundaries."

Judicial Philosophy

Believes in the importance of inclusiveness and representation in the judicial system.

- Believes in the importance of inclusiveness and representation in the judicial system.

Ethics & Conduct

Served as a speaker at the 2024 Texas A&M University MSC Spencer Leadership Conference, discussing "selfless service."

Received the 2023 Jenny Beauty Supply Community Leader Award of Excellence.

Received the 2022 Fresh Start Foundation Community Influencer Award.

Recognized with the 2021 WPS TV Leadership Award for community involvement.

Received the 2020 Dallas Lawyers Magazine Outstanding Service in the Judiciary and Community Award.

Awarded the 2019 Dallas Lawyers Magazine Community Outreach Award for educating the community about the Court.

Recognized as an Outstanding Leader in the Community by Elite News in 2019.

Recognized as a 2019 CASA Champion for Children.

Recognized as a 2019 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Champion for Children.

Received the 2015 Bishop Dunne Community Honor for Excellence in Serving the Dallas Community.

Served as the keynote speaker at the Korean Gala in 2014, supporting the Korean and Asian Community.

As a community volunteer, hosted voter registration drives, candidate forums, and provided court system education.

Mentored women and girls in the community.

Has mentored women and girls in her community.

- Served as a speaker at the 2024 Texas A&M University MSC Spencer Leadership Conference, discussing "selfless service."
- Received the 2023 Jenny Beauty Supply Community Leader Award of Excellence.
- Received the 2022 Fresh Start Foundation Community Influencer Award.
- Recognized with the 2021 WPS TV Leadership Award for community involvement.
- Received the 2020 Dallas Lawyers Magazine Outstanding Service in the Judiciary and Community Award.
- Awarded the 2019 Dallas Lawyers Magazine Community Outreach Award for educating the community about the Court.
- Recognized as an Outstanding Leader in the Community by Elite News in 2019.
- Recognized as a 2019 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Champion for Children.
- Received the 2015 Bishop Dunne Community Honor for Excellence in Serving the Dallas Community.
- Served as the keynote speaker at the Korean Gala in 2014, supporting the Korean and Asian Community.
- As a community volunteer, hosted voter registration drives, candidate forums, and provided court system education.
- Has mentored women and girls in her community.

Community Involvement

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Kim Cooks

As of September 12, 2024, Kim Cooks’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kim Cooks is a Licensed Texas Attorney with 22 years of experience, a Trial Attorney for 13 years, and has served as a State District Court Judge for the past 9 years.

Judge Kim Cooks has served as a State District Court Judge for the past 9 years. She is the 2024-2025 appointee to the Texas Realtors Professional Standards Committee and is endorsed by the Communication Workers of America Union for the 5th District Court of Appeals.

As a licensed Texas attorney for 22 years, trial attorney for 13 years, and State District Court Judge for the past 9 years, has ensured justice is "fair and equally provided for all people."

Believes contribution limits are "per election" and supports allowing partnership and professional corporation checks while prohibiting corporate checks.

Supports strict contribution limits for judicial candidates, including $5,000 per person and $30,000 aggregate from law firms, with additional restrictions attributing contributions from spouses and children to the individual member of the law firm.

Served as the Social Justice Chair for the 2024 Upsilon Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Believes electing the first Black woman as Justice of the 5th District Court of Appeals Place 11 will make history.

Believes in pursuing justice and righteousness, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. saying, "We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."

Believes in being a dedicated community leader with a strong commitment to equality and justice.

Believes in ensuring the justice system reflects community diversity.

Supports donations to fund her campaign for the 5th Court of Appeals.

Recognizes the importance of prioritizing children's welfare in legal matters, saying "The Best interest of the children was the Court’s priority."

Recognizes the importance of prioritizing children's welfare in legal matters, and as a CASA Champion for Children in 2020, supported child advocacy and community service.

Endorsed by the Communication Workers of America Union for the 5th District Court of Appeals in 2024.

- In Texas, appeals from district and county courts, except death penalty cases, go to one of 14 intermediate courts of appeal.
- There are a total of 80 appellate court seats, distributed variably among the courts based on population across the 14 districts.
- Courts with more than three justices decide cases in rotating panels of three.
- Justices are elected in partisan elections for six-year terms.
- The yearly salary for a Court of Appeals justice in Texas is between $192,500 and $255,050 based on the total number of years they have served.

Hears appeals on orders and decisions made by lower trial courts.