judicial experience and Community SErvice

Former City of Dallas Judge Cheryl Williams is seeking the Democratic nomination to be the next Judge of County Court of Criminal Appeals No. 2. This court handles many appeals cases from municipal courts, making Williams' background ideal to preside over this court from day one with knowledge and efficiency.

Williams received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Sam Houston State University, and earned her doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Missouri School of Law. Immediately after law school, she served as an Enforcement Attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Later moving into private practice, she represented individuals in both civil and criminal cases.

Williams was appointed to serve as a Municipal Judge for the City of Dallas and has 25 years of judicial experience. She also serves as a magistrate for the five counties within the City of Dallas boundaries. Williams presided over the South Dallas Community Court, a community restitution center. She also serves as Judge of the Drug Treatment Court. Both are housed at the South Dallas Community Court.  This Court was selected by the Bureau of Justice Administration and the Center for Court Innovation as a community court “Mentor” site that other courts visit to learn how to implement and operate a community court.

Williams has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Texas College of Law and as an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Paul Quinn College. She also partnered with the University of North Texas at Dallas to serve as a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

Williams has been recognized by her peers, earning the J.L. Turner Legal Association Distinguished Jurist Award. Williams is an active member in bar associations, non-profit organizations, and civic organizations. She is a Life member of Sam Houston State University Alumni Association; member of the Board of Directors of the Sam Houston State University Alumni Association; member of the National Community Court Justice Board; Life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; member of Omicron Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alliance For Greater Works; past Chair of the Board of Directors of Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas; and past Chair of Mustang District of Circle 10 Council of Boy Scouts of America. 

Williams is involved with women's and children’s issues and has been honored by the Women Called Moses Domestic Violence Coalition and by Boy Scouts of America with the Whitney M. Young Award and the Silver Beaver Award. Williams enjoys being a speaker for bar associations, conferences, schools, community-based organizations, and social and religious groups. She frequently discusses juveniles in municipal court, the role of community courts, and substance abuse treatment courts.