Judge Nash was born and raised in Dallas, Texas in the Highland Hills community and attended Wilmer-Hutchins High School. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science; and received her Juris Doctorate Degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Black History Month Presentation: Beyond The Bench

Judge Nash has volunteered her time through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program serving the community through the Hurricane Katrina Legal Clinic, the Housing Crisis Center, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and the West Dallas Center. She has also volunteered at the C.A.W. Clark Legal Clinic at Good Street Baptist Church and currently serves at the monthly Legal Clinic at Friendship West Baptist Church.

Valencia Nash was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, in the Highland Hills community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of Houston and a law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. She has volunteered through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and serves at the monthly legal clinic at Friendship West Baptist Church.

DEI Black History Month Presentation | Beyond The Bench

Valencia was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, in the Highland Hills community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of Houston and a law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. She has volunteered through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and serves at the monthly legal clinic at Friendship West Baptist Church.

Judge Nash was born and raised in Dallas, Texas in the Highland Hills community and attended Wilmer-Hutchins High School. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science; and received her Juris Doctorate Degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Judge Nash is licensed and has practiced law in Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

Valencia Nash has practiced law in Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

Valencia has practiced law in Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

Judge Valencia Nash was sworn into office January 1, 2007 and presides as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2. Precinct 1 is a large area in the southern part of Dallas County which includes: South Dallas, Oak Cliff, Lancaster, Wilmer, Hutchins, Desoto, Duncanville, and Glenn Heights. She was selected as the 1st Administrative Judge for Justices of the Peace in Dallas County in 2023.

She has been re-elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2 for five terms to serve until 2026. Judge Nash created a monthly legal clinic for Seniors Citizens in Precinct 1 to assist with legal preparation and prevention.

Valencia currently serves as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2. She entered office in 2007 and has been reelected five times.

Valencia Nash currently serves as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2. She entered office in 2007 and has been reelected five times.

2026 Texas General Election

Judge Nash is licensed and has practiced law in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. She has practiced in the areas of environmental law and justice, family law, juvenile law, landlord-tenant law, construction law and general litigation.

Judge Nash, JP 1-2

Prior to being elected, Judge Nash was in private practice. She has worked as Corporate Counsel for Thacker Family of Companies in Atlanta, Georgia, and for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as lead enforcement attorney in the Solid Waste section and the Bureau of Emergency Response.

Serves as justice of the peace for Precinct 1, Place 2, a position held since January 2007.

Practiced law in environmental, family, juvenile, landlord-tenant, construction, and general litigation matters.

Worked as corporate counsel and as a lead enforcement attorney for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

- Serves as justice of the peace for Precinct 1, Place 2, a position held since January 2007.
- Practiced law in environmental, family, juvenile, landlord-tenant, construction, and general litigation matters.
- Worked as corporate counsel and as a lead enforcement attorney for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Legal Experience

Dallas Justice of the Peace 1-2 was a strong performer in the Court Operations and Access and Fairness Performance Areas. There was significant opportunity for improvement in the Data-Driven Caseflow Management area. This is driven largely by Judge Nash’s ongoing transition to the Odyssey Case Management System. Prior to October 2022, justice of the peace courts in Dallas did not have a dedicated case management system and were tracking caseflow manually in paper files. Since 2022, the court has made significant strides towards digitizing records, including archival records, and is striving towards a paperless process.

10_20240927_dallas-jp-1-2-nomination-report.pdf

Judge Valencia Nash is a stalwart public servant and committed member of her community. Beyond that, she is an effective administrator and assiduous judge. What stands out most about her court is the way in which each function of the court is tied in and reinforced through the day-to-day court operations. At the windows, Judge Nash uses a sign in and ticketing system to track where court visitors are getting service. This allows her Chief Clerk to identify areas where staff may need training and allows senior staff to provide on the spot support to court users.

This translates further into her calendar, where dockets are kept on a regular schedule every week, and where good caseflow management practices allow Judge Nash to set the docket and ensure every case is heard within the time set on the calendar. This is further aided by a seamless hybrid court model, wherein Judge Nash utilizes her Zoom license to its fullest extent, using her physical court spaces to set up Zoom Rooms and transition seamlessly between live hearings and virtual ones.

This translates further into her calendar, where dockets are kept on a regular schedule every week, and where good caseflow management practices allow Judge Nash to set the docket and ensure every case is heard within the time set on the calendar. This is further aided by a seamless hybrid court model, wherein Judge Nash utilizes her Zoom license to its fullest extent, using her physical court spaces to set up Zoom Rooms and transition seamlessly between live hearings and virtual ones. This functionality provides greater access to justice for the court visitors, a cause to which Judge Nash is imminently dedicated to.

This functionality provides greater access to justice for the court visitors, a cause to which Judge Nash is imminently dedicated to. All forms that a court visitor could need are available in the lobby area of her court. Beyond that, forms and court guidance about what to do following a hearing are also provided in that same area.

Furthermore, the court has faced challenges in the past with timely reporting, largely due to the lack of a dedicated case management system. As the court has adopted and begun configuring Odyssey to its needs, Judge Nash and her staff have coordinated with the county and a staffed business analyst to ensure that her court’s needs are met by the system and can accurately meeting the reporting requirements set by the legislature. Furthermore, the judge ensures that all available options to satisfy fines and fees are available in writing in her lobby, while providing deferred payments, community service in multiple forms, and keeping track of overdue payments.

As the court has adopted and begun configuring Odyssey to its needs, Judge Nash and her staff have coordinated with the county and a staffed business analyst to ensure that her court’s needs are met by the system and can accurately meeting the reporting requirements set by the legislature. Furthermore, the judge ensures that all available options to satisfy fines and fees are available in writing in her lobby, while providing deferred payments, community service in multiple forms, and keeping track of overdue payments.

As a justice of the peace, is transitioning the court to the Odyssey Case Management System and digitizing records toward a paperless process.

As a justice of the peace, uses a sign-in and ticketing system to identify court-service areas where staff may need training or support.

As a justice of the peace, maintains weekly dockets and uses case-management practices intended to ensure cases are heard on their scheduled dates.

As a justice of the peace, uses a hybrid court model with Zoom Rooms to move between in-person and virtual hearings.

As a justice of the peace, provides court forms and post-hearing guidance in the court lobby.

As a justice of the peace, coordinates with the county on court-system setup and legislative reporting requirements.

As a justice of the peace, provides written fine-and-fee options, deferred payments, and multiple forms of community service.

- As a justice of the peace, is transitioning the court to the Odyssey Case Management System and digitizing records toward a paperless process.
- As a justice of the peace, uses a sign-in and ticketing system to identify court-service areas where staff may need training or support.
- As a justice of the peace, maintains weekly dockets and uses case-management practices intended to ensure cases are heard on their scheduled dates.
- As a justice of the peace, uses a hybrid court model with Zoom Rooms to move between in-person and virtual hearings.
- As a justice of the peace, provides court forms and post-hearing guidance in the court lobby.
- As a justice of the peace, coordinates with the county on court-system setup and legislative reporting requirements.
- As a justice of the peace, provides written fine-and-fee options, deferred payments, and multiple forms of community service.

Judicial Administration

As of July 22, 2026, Valencia Nash’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Created a monthly legal clinic for senior citizens in Precinct 1 to assist with legal preparation and prevention.

Volunteered through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program at community legal and housing-service clinics.

- Created a monthly legal clinic for senior citizens in Precinct 1 to assist with legal preparation and prevention.
- Volunteered through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program at community legal and housing-service clinics.

Community Involvement

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Valencia Nash

Judge Nash was born and raised in Dallas. She graduated from Wilmer-Hutchins High School. She attended the University of Houston and received a Bachelor of Science Degree. She received her Juris Doctorate Degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

Valencia Nash is originally from Dallas. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.

Beyond The Bench

Valencia previously worked in private practice, as corporate counsel for Thacker Family of Companies, and as a lead enforcement attorney for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Worked in private legal practice before being elected.

Served as corporate counsel for Thacker Family of Companies in Atlanta, Georgia.

Served as lead enforcement attorney for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Solid Waste section and Bureau of Emergency Response.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Black History Month Presentation | Beyond The Bench

Judge Nash is married to Melvin W. McShann and they have twin daughters, Madeline and McKenna. They attend Friendship West Baptist Church where Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, Ill is their Pastor.

Judge Nash is licensed and has practiced law in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. She has practiced in the areas of environmental law and justice, family law, juvenile law, landlord-tenant law, construction law and litigation.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Judge Nash is a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also the President of the Lancaster Lions Club.

She has been re-elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2 for five terms to serve until 2026. Judge Nash created a monthly legal clinic for Seniors Citizens in Precinct 1 to assist with legal preparation and prevention.

Has practiced environmental, family, juvenile, landlord-tenant, construction, and litigation law, and is licensed in Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

Created a monthly legal clinic for senior citizens in Precinct 1 to assist them with legal preparation and prevention.

Is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Created a monthly legal clinic for senior citizens in Precinct 1 as a justice of the peace.

Valencia is a judge at the Dallas Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 1, Post 2. She has served in this role since January 2007. She previously worked as an intern for the United States Environmental Protection Agency and with the City of Houston Environmental Law and Land Use Department. She then served as assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, where she was the lead enforcement attorney for emergency response and solid waste. After that, she worked as in-house counsel for a construction management company in Atlanta on the City of Atlanta Wastewater Systems Improvement Program, leading the environmental justice segment. Upon returning to Dallas, she established a solo law practice focusing on family law, juvenile law and child protective services cases.

Justice of the Peace and Justice Courts - Dallas County

The Honorable Valencia Nash - Texas State Directory Online

Valencia Nash is currently the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2 of Dallas County. She was first elected in 2007.

November Election - Dallas County Democratic Party

TJC | Members - Texas Courts

As in-house counsel for a construction management company, assisted with the City of Atlanta Wastewater Systems Improvement Program and led the environmental justice segment of the project.

Valencia is from Dallas, Texas. She attended Wilmer-Hutchins High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Houston. She has a juris doctorate degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.

Valencia is a Justice of the Peace in Dallas County, Precinct 1, Post 2. She has served in that role since January 2007. She previously practiced law in Florida, Georgia, and Texas, focusing on environmental law and justice; family law; juvenile law; landlord-tenant law; construction law; and general litigation. Before taking the bench, she worked as an intern at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with the City of Houston Environmental Law and Land Use Department, as Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection leading emergency response and solid waste enforcement, as in-house counsel for an Atlanta construction management company on the City of Atlanta Wastewater Systems Improvement Program, and as a solo practitioner in Dallas handling family, juvenile, and child protective services cases.

Valencia Nash is currently Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2, representing the southern part of Dallas County. She is chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Texas Judicial Council.

SPCA of Texas Receives Custody of 133 Birds Used for Cockfighting

As an attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in family law, juvenile law, and child protective services cases.

Valencia is a Justice of the Peace in Dallas County. She works at the Dallas County Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 1 Place 2, where she has served since January 2007. She previously worked as an environmental law intern for the United States Environmental Protection Agency and for the City of Houston’s Environmental Law and Land Use Department, as Assistant General Counsel at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection overseeing emergency response and solid waste enforcement, and as in-house counsel for a construction management firm in Atlanta advising on the City of Atlanta’s wastewater systems improvement project. Before taking the bench, she practiced law in Dallas as a solo attorney focusing on family law, juvenile cases and child protective services.

Valencia Nash is currently the Justice of the Peace for Dallas County Precinct 1 Place 2. She was first elected in November 2006 and sworn into office on January 1, 2007. She was appointed by the Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice to the Texas Judicial Council in 2008 and has been reappointed by two Chief Justices for an additional six terms.

Member Clubs/Zones - Lions Clubs International District 2-X1

Valencia is from Dallas, Texas. She attended Wilmer-Hutchins High School. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Houston. She has a Juris Doctorate degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.

Valencia is a Justice of the Peace for Dallas County Precinct 1, Post 2. She works at the Dallas County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 1, Post 2, where she has served since January 1, 2007. She previously worked as a solo practitioner in Dallas handling family law, juvenile law and child protective services cases. Before that, she was in-house counsel for a construction management company in Atlanta on the City of Atlanta Wastewater Systems Improvement Program. She also served as assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, leading emergency response and solid waste enforcement. Early in her career, she interned at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and worked with the City of Houston Environmental Law and Land Use Department.

Valencia Nash is currently the Justice of the Peace for Dallas County, Precinct 1, Place 2, representing South Dallas, Oak Cliff, Lancaster, Wilmer, Hutchins, DeSoto, Glenn Heights and Duncanville. She took office on January 1, 2007.

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- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.