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American Law Institute, The Hon. Tonya Parker

Tonya earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas and a law degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

In addition to being a judge, Tonya is a keynote speaker.

Tonya Parker currently serves a judge for Texas's 116th Judicial District Court. She was first elected in 2010 and is serving her third term.

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As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As a legal scholar, frequently serves as a panelist, makes presentations on legal topics, and publishes articles on a variety of subjects related to legal issues and trial practices.

- As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As a legal scholar, frequently serves as a panelist, makes presentations on legal topics, and publishes articles on a variety of subjects related to legal issues and trial practices.

Legal Experience

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Said, "each day that I have held the privilege of presiding over the 116th Judicial District Court, I have consciously tried to be three things: fair, prepared, and dignified in the manner in which I approach and handle proceedings."

- Said, "each day that I have held the privilege of presiding over the 116th Judicial District Court, I have consciously tried to be three things: fair, prepared, and dignified in the manner in which I approach and handle proceedings."

Judicial Administration

As of September 7, 2024, Tonya Parker’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Regular volunteer with IGNITE, a non-partisan organization that encourages and trains young women to pursue careers in politics.

Serves as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for Southern Methodist Dedman School of Law.

- Regular volunteer with IGNITE, a non-partisan organization that encourages and trains young women to pursue careers in politics.
- Serves as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for Southern Methodist Dedman School of Law.

Community Involvement

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Tonya Parker

Tonya has bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas, and a law degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

Tonya is a keynote speaker, in addition to being a judge.

Tonya Parker has been is currently a judge in the 116th district court. She was first elected in 2010 and is serving her third term.

Presented a paper and presentation on expert witness qualifications and disqualifications at the State Bar of Texas seminar "Winning Your Case Before Trial" in January 2016.

- As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As a legal scholar, frequently serves as a panelist, makes presentations on legal topics, and publishes articles on a variety of subjects related to legal issues and trial practices.
- Presented a paper and presentation on expert witness qualifications and disqualifications at the State Bar of Texas seminar "Winning Your Case Before Trial" in January 2016.

Believes the 5th District Court of Appeals is crucial for handling family law, civil law, and criminal law cases in North Texas.

Plans to continue administering justice for the 116th Judicial District Court while campaigning for appellate court justice.

- Plans to continue administering justice for the 116th Judicial District Court while campaigning for appellate court justice.

Believes in thorough investigation before investing in franchises, as highlighted in "The Franchise Enterprise: Investigate Before You Invest," MINORITY OPPORTUNITY NEWS, September 2000.

Believes inclusion is "the older and better looking sister of diversity."

Believes that employee knowledge can impact businesses, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct and employee training to protect company interests.

Supports allowing contributions from corporate PACs and labor union PACs, as well as common law firm entities, with specific rules on contribution limits and entity types.

Believes in the importance of ethical communication and understanding the legal implications of business defamation and disparagement claims.

Attended the SMU Black Law Students Association Graduation Dinner (2017).

Attended the DeSoto ISD Education Foundation Gala (2016).

Attended the University of North Texas College of Law Incoming Law Students Fundamentals Dinner (2015).

Attended the Garland NAACP Chapter Freedom Fund Luncheon (2014).

Attended the Cutting Edge Youth Summit at UNT Dallas (2015).

Participated in the Dallas County Tax Assessor’s Employee Enrichment Day (2016).

Has participated in the Center for Women in Law, Women's Power Summit, and Reprisal of TEDx Talk, Lesson in the Label (2019).

Participated in the Dallas Bar Association Transition to Law Program Dinner.

Participated in the Dallas Bar Association Annual Law Student Professionalism Program (2016).

Recognized at the Texas Lawyer Extraordinary Minority Attorney Awards Luncheon (2015).

Volunteered at the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club Annual Luncheon (2014).

Participated in the Law and Leadership Symposium hosted by the Dallas Women Lawyers Association and Irma Rangel in 2016.

Supports community involvement and transparency, and has spoken at various bar and community events during her public office tenure.

Believes in addressing bias and race issues in the legal system, as highlighted in the National Trial Lawyers' publication "Lessons from an American Courtroom: Anote Bias and Race (2020)."

- Regular volunteer with IGNITE, a non-partisan organization that encourages and trains young women to pursue careers in politics.
- Supports community involvement and transparency, and has spoken at various bar and community events during her public office tenure.
- Believes in addressing bias and race issues in the legal system, as highlighted in the National Trial Lawyers' publication "Lessons from an American Courtroom: Anote Bias and Race (2020)."

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

Tonya Parker is the Judge of the 116th Judicial District Court, a position she has held since 2011. She has also served as the Presiding Judge for the Dallas County Civil District Courts and as the president of the Texas Association of District Judges.

Tonya Parker has been Judge of the 116th Judicial District Court since 2011 and has twice served as the Presiding Judge for the Dallas County Civil District Courts. She has also served as the president of the Texas Association of District Judges and is a member of the American Law Institute. In 2024, she is seeking the Democratic Nomination for Justice, 5th District Court of Appeals, Place 13.

Presented "Ten Tips from a Trial Judge on Daubert/Robinson Challenges and Hearings" at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Medical Malpractice Seminar in 2013 and 2015.

Presented on the impact of social media on legal professionals and juries at a Texas State Bar webcast in December 2013.

Presented a paper and presentation on expert witnesses at the Texas Center for the Judiciary’s College for Judicial Studies in April 2013.

Wrote an article titled "All Rise! : Reflections on My First Jury Trial," published in The Dicta in July 2000.

Presented a seminar on voir dire (jury selection) at the JLTLA Trial Advocacy Program in February 2010.

Presented "Know Thy Trial Judge" at the Texas Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy in April 2013.

Presented on employment torts at the University of Houston's Advanced Employment Law Continuing Legal Education seminar in May 2009.

As a panelist with several state and federal court judges, presented on courtroom professionalism and ethics continuing legal education (CLE) to the Dallas Bar Association in April 2008.

- 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.