Arlington General District Court

Candidates' Personal Statements 

(& Photos if provided)

RACHEL COLLINS, Esq. 

Judicial Candidate Application

 Personal Statement

Being a judge was never one of career goals. I have been a public defender since graduating law school and have always thought this would be my only career. As a public defender, I have fought for my clients and, in turn, against the system. I have often felt let down by the system and thought the entire system needed to be abolished. It has only been in recent years that I have realized that I continued working as a public defender (as part of the system) because I do still have hope for our legal system. It is during this time that I have started to see the good that can be done in different roles within the system.

Our system has historically been a weapon wielded by those with power to maintain their power and to continue the oppression of low-income and minority communities. This has been accomplished through the criminal and civil arm of our legal system. This type of legal system does not improve our community; it does not address the underlying issues that lead to individuals coming into the legal system. I have been in the Arlington courthouse essentially everyday for the past 10 years. I have seen how far our courthouse has come and I know how far we still have to go. I want to be a part of continuing to move Arlington forward and working toward a model legal system.

I believe in the power of the judiciary to promote fairness and uphold justice. My view of justice is not a one size fits all consideration. I want people to be viewed as individuals and their individual circumstances to be taken into consideration when deciding what is just. I am committed to racial equality and hope to help reduce the racial disparities that currently exist in the Arlington courthouse. I want to increase the use of alternatives to incarceration, support decarceration, and ensure that people from all communities receive fair representation and consideration in legal proceedings.

Jump to Committee Report on Rachel Collins, Esq.

DAVID W. DEANE, Esq.

Judicial Candidate Application

Personal Statement

I am writing to express my interest in serving as a General District Court Judge for Arlington County. Since making this vibrant community my home in 1994, I have been deeply engaged as a resident and parent, raising two daughters who graduated from Washington Liberty High School and basing my career in Arlington County Courts. Over these years, I have come to understand and appreciate the rich diversity that defines Arlington—culturally, socially, and economically. I believe serving on the bench is a natural extension of my commitment to this community and to ensuring that justice is administered fairly and equitably for all.

A key motivation for seeking this position is my unwavering belief that the judiciary must reflect the values of fairness, impartiality, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. I recognize that courts can be intimidating, and it is vital that every person who appears before the court feels that they are being treated with dignity and that their voice is heard.

I also understand the importance of recognizing and confronting implicit biases in judicial decision-making. We all carry unconscious biases shaped by our life experiences, and I am committed to the ongoing self-reflection and education necessary to mitigate these biases in my role as a judge. By being mindful of these influences, I will work to ensure that my rulings are guided solely by the facts and the law, and that every case is approached with the fairness and impartiality that justice demands.

Additionally, I believe that effective communication between the bench and the local bar is crucial to maintaining public trust and upholding the integrity of the legal system. Fostering open dialogue among judges, attorneys, and court staff can help address challenges, promote transparency, and create a more efficient and accessible legal process.

In conclusion, my deep-rooted connection to Arlington County, my commitment to fairness and impartiality, and my dedication to addressing diversity and implicit bias are central to my aspiration to serve as a General District Court Judge. I am eager to contribute to the community in this role by ensuring that justice is administered with integrity, respect, and fairness for all. Thank you for considering my candidacy.

Jump to Committee Report on David W. Deane

G. "Rex" Flynn, Jr., Esq.

Judicial Candidate Application

Personal Statement

I want to be an Arlington County General District Court Judge because I believe in Arlington and know that it can be an incredible place to practice law. Arlington has a rich history and much to be proud of.

Our General District Court is for many citizens, the only court in Arlington that they will interact with. It is far and away the court with the heaviest docket, and as such the court with the greatest impact on the way Arlingtonians (and our guests) view the administration of justice and fairness within our borders. Cornel West once famously stated “You can’t lead the people, unless you love the people.” I believe that is correct, and applicable here.

I believe that to serve as a General District Court judge, you need to love people. You need to derive joy at human interaction, and that this same love for people is the basis for empathy and understanding of people that aren’t like you – people who made decisions much different than the ones that you’ve made, or that live in conditions or circumstances that you will never know. You need to love and empathize with the people suffering from untreated mental illness, substance abuse disorders, those who act entitled or belligerent and may not be on their best behavior in court because they’re exhausted from the daily trauma that often accompanies homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, and mental illness.

I have had the honor of serving the Arlington and Northern Virginia legal community at the local, regional and statewide level for the last several years. I believe in the strength of community, and in the need to develop stronger bonds and relationships within our Bar. In my leadership roles, I have strived for increasing the bonds of community within our membership and to create opportunities that (organically) create connective tissue between disparate sections of our Bar that might not have otherwise come together. Whether it was my creation of the “5 o’clock docket,” our monthly ACBA fitness challenges, or our bowling competitions, my goal was always to create a stronger sense of community here. And that has certainly been reflected similarly in my service to the Virginia State Bar, the Northern Virginia Black Attorneys’ Association, and now the Old Dominion Bar Association. It is who I am.

I believe in leading from the front. Effective leadership is not bestowed by title - it is earned by trust. Whatever leadership credibility I have (or had) was never derivative of my position/title. I believe that the trust imparted to me was due to the fact that everyone understood that I cared, a lot. And my caring, I believe, was infectious. I believe that through thoughtfulness, caring, and concern we can solve any problem that comes before us. For whatever it is worth, that strategy won me the Virginia State Bar’s Bar Leader of the Year award in 2022 when I was President of the Arlington Bar and the Northern Virginia Black Attorneys’ Association, and again this year when the latter won Bar Association of the Year.

When people are confident that you care about their concerns, there is a great deal of good that you can accomplish. If so fortunate as to be selected for this opportunity, I intend to continue with my service to the Arlington community and putting people first. I will be visible, accessible, and approachable. I expect to treat people like people, with empathy, compassion and fairness. I appreciate that in positions like the one I am seeking, that there is an expectation that litigants and the Bar are accountable to the judge. However, I fully expect to be just as accountable in return. I am not infallible, nor have I ever pretended to be. I will do my best to do what is right.

One of the benefits of practicing in multiple jurisdictions is that one gets to learn how other jurisdictions handle matters differently than we do here, in Arlington. If selected, I plan on seeking to mirror some of the best practices of other jurisdictions that seem to work well.

Most importantly, I hope to serve as a source of transformative change in Arlington. I served two consecutive terms as President of our local Bar Association, and my singular goal as President was to create and enhance a stronger sense of Community. I believe that there are opportunities for the Bench to become more engaged and accessible within the local courthouse community, and I would endeavor to increase the connective tissue between the bench and the bar.

I believe that I bring to the table a passion for humble leadership, and most importantly a genuine and caring spirit to try and do the right thing.

Jump to Committee Report on Rex Flynn, Esq.

ROBERT GRAY, Esq.

Judicial Candidate Application

Personal Statement

I am applying to fill this judicial vacancy in the Arlington County General District Court in response to what I view as a call to serve. I answered a similar call when I enlisted in the Air Force shortly after 9/11. Since my time in the military, I have been dedicated to public service, but my goal is to use the many life lessons that I have learned to benefit others. What distinguishes me from the other candidates are the unique set of values and perspectives that I will bring to the bench, because of my life experience, and the challenges and trauma that I have endured and overcome.

This is important because the General District Court has more contact with the public than the other courts. It may be the most important court in our community. And those individual experiences and values give me insight that will inform my decisions. They also provide context for how I will manage cases that I know have profound ramifications for those affected. I have an intimate understanding of the impact judges can have on individuals because of the ways that the legal system has shaped my life.

I would not be here without a judge who looked beyond my indiscretions. He considered what I had done since, the environmental factors that may have affected my judgment, and he looked even further into what I could do in the future. Consequently, he gave me the opportunity to make progress and succeed. The truth is that the law has always been a big part of my life for better and for worse., and I had no idea how it would shape who I would become. If it had not been for the problematic contact that every man in my family, including myself and my father (who died at 49 years old), has had, I would not be here. Therefore, I also have firsthand knowledge of the unpredictable and the innumerable direct and collateral consequences that a judge should consider in every case. This will allow me to demonstrate greater levels of compassion, empathy, and understanding than others.

I am a combat veteran, who grew up in an often unstable and uncertain environment. I was separated from my mom and brother when I was young. My father was brilliant, but he was incarcerated for significant periods of time, under house arrest, and tangled up in the criminal process for reasons he did well to hide from me. Consequently, I moved a lot, and, during my adolescent and teenage years, I lived with different biological and surrogate family members. Eventually, I joined the service to escape an environment that was rich with trouble and danger.

During my ten years on active duty in the Air Force, I deployed to places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, with short stops in other locations throughout Southwest Asia and the Middle East. I was an engineer in the service but found myself frequently in harm's way. Though I did not appreciate it at the time, the trauma I suffered during my military service would affect and change my life in immeasurable ways.

Despite the rigors of military life, I earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland University College by taking classes on base, at night, off-duty, online, however I could, both stateside and overseas. There were many long nights and short weekends. I took final exams in combat zones. I took the LSAT between deployments. And as I grew and matured, I sought to put myself in a position to make greater contributions to society (part of what drives me to apply for this judgeship).

At my ten-year mark, I left the Air Force to attend the Howard University School of Law. During law school, I lived with my aunt near South Four Mile Run, here, in Arlington. Additionally, I would serve another three years in the military as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, stationed in Dover AFB, Delaware. I was the Executive Publications Editor of the Law Journal, and after I graduated, I served as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Damon J. Keith, on the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

After my clerkship, I would forgo an opportunity at a large law firm in New York and move back home to Los Angeles. My mother was going through personal and medical challenges, and I needed to support trauma from my military service, and I was not on the path God had intended for me.

After stepping away, gaining perspective, helping my mom work through her issues, and working through my own, I had s number of revelations that led me here. I passed the California bar. I began working at a law firm in Los Angeles, but I immediately sought opportunities for public service. During the pandemic, I wrote letters to our Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, because her serious commitment to criminal justice reform inspired me. I passed the Virginia bar, became a prosecutor, and returned to Arlington in December 2021.

Serving as a judge in the General District Court is one of the most impactful roles that I can fill in service to Arlington and Falls Church. I am as capable, competent, and qualified to manage the administrative responsibilities of this judgeship as any other applicant. I earned my undergraduate degree and admission to law school under circumstances that most would find challenging. I was the Executive Publications Editor of the law journal. As a law clerk in a federal appellate court, I intensely researched, analyzed, and wrote on a wide range of legal matters. During the pandemic, I also researched, wrote, and worked for the oldest Black think tank in America, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. I have also written winning motions and briefs supporting employee worker’s compensation claims as a consultant for a small worker’s compensation firm in Los Angeles. As an associate at Ivie, McNeill, Wyatt, Purcell & Diggs, I worked in several different civil practice areas including commercial litigation, personal injury, labor and employment, and civil rights law.

As an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, I handle every type of criminal hearing that comes through the General District Court. I have prosecuted everything from minor misdemeanors to financial crimes, to rapes and homicides. While working in the courthouse, I take the initiative to observe all types of civil hearings. I have seen the General District Court’s regular civil docket, small claims, traffic dockets, detinue proceedings, landlord-tenant, protective orders, contract disputes, and personal injury claims. About two or three times a semester I guest lecture at Howard. I have judged moot court competitions and taught classes on professional responsibility, contracts, and legal research and writing. I have excellent command of the rules of evidence. I learn and retain information quickly and I can follow any legal issue or matter. As a law clerk, in private practice, and as a prosecutor, I have consistently demonstrated the ability to prepare and promptly get up to speed on any issue presented to me.

Most importantly, my journey allows me to identify and interact with the community differently than others. I was a young, Black man without any plan and no structure that needed a wake-up call. I have been the victim of violent crime committed by members of my own community. I have seen war, and I know the challenges of reacclimating to civilian life. I have good friends buried in the Arlington National Cemetery. I once had a problematic relationship with alcohol as a by-product of depression and anxiety triggered by post-combat stress. And I know, despite missteps and struggles, there are ways to overcome life's challenges, but accountability, responsibility, and atonement are the first steps toward recovery and rehabilitation. On a case-by-case basis, these qualities lead to a safer and more productive community.

My history, values, and perspective are important because they help explain why you can trust me to responsibly wield the authority and discretion of a judge. I will ensure that people have had their day in court. I will carefully consider the interests of victims, defendants, plaintiffs, petitioners, respondents, witnesses, and other interests affected by my decisions. I will hear the voices of all who appear and take them seriously. I will stay professional but humble and display the type of demeanor that reinforces respect for the court by first respecting the individuals who appear. And, because of my journey, I am blessed with the maturity and wisdom to balance accountability, with compassion, empathy, and understanding by fairly and justly applying the law.

Jump to Committee Report on Robert Gray, Esq.

ADAM M. KRISCHER, Esq.

Judicial Candidate Application

Personal Statement

A judge’s most important quality is their ability to treat all parties who appear before them with respect. Studies have shown that the public’s perception of the fairness of the judicial system is more closely related to the perception that they were treated fairly, not that they achieved their desired outcome. Listening to the parties and their advocates, treating everyone with dignity and respect, and taking the time to explain decisions are very simple ways a judge can contribute to the public’s perception of procedural fairness. Adherence to the law and procedural fairness are not mutually exclusive. Acting in a manner that promotes procedural fairness is consistent with my belief that a judge’s role is primarily defined by their service to the community, not the authority they hold.

Wherever my family has been stationed during my wife’s career as a United States Air Force officer, I endeavored to find ways to serve my community. In Colorado, I volunteered in the local prosecutor’s office, worked in my law school’s Domestic Violence Clinic and sponsored cadets at the United States Air Force Academy. In Germany, I volunteered at the Army Garrison legal office providing legal assistance to service members and their families, advising the leadership regarding morale and welfare programs and mentoring military justice lawyers. For the last 20 years, I have served the Arlington legal community.

As President of the Arlington County Bar Association, I continued monthly educational programs with our courts, provided appellate updates and expanded CLE topics to include court related services such as the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) and the jail and county mental health teams. As Chair of Arlington’s Disciplinary committee, I reviewed bar complaints to ensure local lawyers were upholding their ethical obligations. I joined the Arlington ASAP Policy Board to ensure that ASAP’s customers, individuals ordered to participate in their programs, had a voice. Now as Chair of the Policy Board, I am overseeing the formalization our processes and instituting training for current and new board members. Having represented an increasing number of individuals with serious mental illnesses, I volunteered to teach Arlington and regional law enforcement officers the legal requirements related to involuntary commitment, competency, and pleas of not guilty by reason of insanity as part of Arlington Department of Human Service’s Crisis Intervention Team training. I have recently been asked to provide similar training to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police. As Chair of the Arlington Bar Foundation, I led efforts to raise and distribute charitable contributions to programs and organizations that support the Arlington legal community such as Argus House, Doorways, Arm in Arm, Legal Services of Northern Virginia and many others. Since 2021, I have served as a representative of our district on the Virginia State Bar Council.

Outside of the legal community, I have served on the board of the local Jewish Day School and been active in the high school and county sports in which my children participate. I graduated the Leadership Center for Excellence’s Leadership Arlington program in 2020 and currently serve on the Board of Culpepper Garden, a not-for profit providing high-quality, affordable, independent and assisted living, services and programs that allow older adults on fixed and very low incomes to age with comfort and dignity in Arlington.

In addition to my volunteer service, I have been a licensed Virginia attorney since 2003. Having appeared almost daily in the state and federal courts of Virginia since 2005, I have had the opportunity to observe many judges. Most upheld the highest standards of the law, and a small few could have done more to ensure that the parties that came before them felt they had been heard and afforded a fair and impartial hearing. This remained true whether I appeared as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County, a defense attorney, a child’s Guardian ad Litem or representing parents who were brought before the court because their child was in need of services or suffered from abuse or neglect.

My belief that a judge’s role is to serve their community has been confirmed through my service as a substitute judge. Each day I have the privilege to sit, I strive to live up to the example of the finest judges I have appeared before and, most importantly, ensure that every person that comes before the court leaves feeling heard, respected and that they received a fair and impartial hearing regardless of who they are, where they have come from, or why they have appeared before the court. It is this experience that has led me to apply for the judicial vacancy in the Arlington General District Court.

Jump to Committee Report on Adam Krischer, Esq.

JEFFREY G. OVERAND, Esq.

Judicial Candidate Application

Personal Statement

I want to serve my community. As a former public defender and current prosecutor, I have seen first-hand the power that the General District Court has over the lives of people, especially the most vulnerable in our community. I have always sought to treat people fairly and with respect regardless of what had brought them to court, or which role I was playing in the system. Having seen the system work from both sides of the criminal docket, I am ready to continue my role as a public servant as a General District Court judge. My extensive experience with people suffering from serious mental illness and substance use disorders has taught me the importance of understanding those conditions in the context of the criminal legal system. They have taught me that patience and de-escalation are better ways of solving problems than confrontation. I believe the lessons I have learned in public service will help me to approach litigants’ problems from a broad and well-informed perspective.

General District Court judges have a unique opportunity to shape the culture of the legal system in the jurisdiction in which they serve. It is a court that handles a high volume of cases and the one most members of our community will encounter at some point. Appearing in court is often one of the most stressful times in someone’s life. I want the Arlington County Courthouse to be a place where litigants, witnesses, victims, and lawyers feel respected, heard, and treated fairly.

I began my career in public service, returned to it in my current position, and want to continue in this new role. I will be acutely aware of the limitations on the power entrusted to me, and I will strive every day to earn that trust.

WILLIAM "Bill" TURNER, Esq.

Judicial Candidate Application

Personal Statement

I want to be a judge because I believe it is the ultimate form of public service, and I am well-prepared to uphold the law while understanding the human condition behind every case. My personal journey, along with my past role as a prosecutor and my current work as a defense attorney and Guardian ad Litem—which have trained me to rigorously analyze and apply the law—allows me to empathize with people from all walks of life. As a judge, I would ensure that justice is administered impartially, while never losing sight of the fact that each case involves individuals deserving of respect and dignity. My commitment to fairness, integrity, and compassion drives me, and I am eager to serve my community in this capacity.

My formative experiences have instilled in me a deep understanding of the law’s power to protect, uplift, and deliver justice with both fairness and compassion. As someone who survived child abuse and instability at home, my sense of what is right and just developed at an early age, leaving a lasting impact. One vivid memory I carry is of watching my younger brother being violently swung by his hair while feeling powerless to stop it. That moment, and the decision to literally run away from that environment, forced me to grow up quickly and independently.

My early years taught me resilience and self-reliance, but they also deepened my empathy for those facing difficult circumstances. I learned to navigate life on my own, yet I also found community in the kindness of others. I was welcomed into the homes of diverse families who, despite having limited material resources, generously shared their cultures and perspectives with me, fostering a deep sense of belonging. This inclusiveness, combined with the independence I developed, shaped my worldview and made me keenly aware of the struggles many individuals face through no fault of their own. These experiences are part of why I feel drawn to the judiciary, where I can use my position to ensure that everyone is treated with fairness and dignity in the eyes of the law.

Throughout my legal career, I have sought to serve the vulnerable and ensure justice is applied equally and equitably. As an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, I prosecuted a wide range of cases, from serious felonies to traffic offenses, always guided by the principle that doing the right thing was more important than securing a conviction. Some of the hardest decisions I made as a prosecutor were saying no—whether to victims who understandably sought accountability or to law enforcement officers who wanted charges pursued without sufficient evidence. These moments required empathy, fairness, and a commitment to the truth—qualities that I believe are essential for a judge.

My time as a defense attorney has further deepened my understanding of how the criminal justice system affects individuals. I now use my prosecutorial experience to dismantle cases, ensuring that my clients’ rights are protected and that the system holds itself to its own high standards. I also see the human side of the law—those facing addiction, mental health struggles, or the harsh realities of socioeconomic disadvantage. Witnessing firsthand my clients succeed in Drug Court and on the Behavioral Health Docket has reinforced my belief that the legal system can be both just and compassionate. As a judge, I would strive to balance these elements in every case before me.

In addition to my work as a defense attorney, my role as a Guardian ad Litem has allowed me to advocate for some of the most vulnerable individuals within the legal system. Since 2017, I have frequently been appointed by the Arlington Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court to represent the best interests of individuals in complex abuse, neglect, and contentious custody cases. One particularly memorable case involved a 16-year-old boy in detention who was experiencing suicidal ideations. Unable to reach his mother, I filed an emergency motion for judicial consent to ensure he received the necessary medical treatment. In another instance, as a defense attorney, I discovered exculpatory evidence late one night concerning my client, who was being held in detention. Without delay, I requested an emergency midnight hearing by phone, bringing the judge, prosecutor, and myself together to present the new evidence, and successfully secured my client’s release. These examples reflect my broader commitment to going above and beyond for the vulnerable—whether they are children, adults, or anyone else in need of a voice in the justice system. It is this dedication to ensuring fairness and compassion for all that drives me, and I am prepared to bring that same level of care and attention to my work as a judge.

Finally, when considering the question of “Why?” I would be remiss not to mention the greatest influence in my life—my grandfather. After running away from home, the summers I spent with him provided the stability and self-confidence I desperately needed, and they profoundly shaped my perspective. He was the shining star I aspired to follow—and the person to whom I always hoped I would measure up. Grampy grew up during the Great Depression, yet he triumphed over circumstance. Raised in extreme poverty, his family couldn’t even afford basic necessities like bananas or indoor plumbing. Despite these challenges, he began working as a bookkeeper at a grocery store at just 12 years old, helping his family survive. His story of perseverance didn’t end there—on a whim, in the early 1950s, he moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, after hearing that a radio station was trying to introduce television to the market. What began as a bold leap of faith ultimately led him to become the general manager of that station, and later, he was instrumental in bringing the first American television broadcast to Europe via the Telstar Satellite, even directing one of the scenes—American buffaloes, at the foot of Mount Rushmore, running toward the camera on live television. Despite his success, he always sought to impact disadvantaged people in his community, living by the principle: "Always be kind to people on the way up; you'll never know when you'll see them on the way down." He helped establish the Indian University of North America, a community college in South Dakota that offers scholarships to members of federally recognized tribes. His journey from poverty to leadership has always been a source of inspiration for me, reminding me that no matter where we start, hard work and perseverance can lead not only to remarkable achievements but also to enduring contributions that uplift the communities we serve—and that we are always following the light of our shining star.

Jump to Committee Report on Bill Turner, Esq.

FRANK WEBB, Esq.

Judicial Candidate Application

Personal Statement

I want to become a Judge because I want to continue to serve my local community by providing a welcoming, fair, and empathetic forum for the resolution of disputes, both criminal and civil, brought before the District Court of the 17th Judicial District.

I believe that I have the temperament and the intellectual curiosity to provide parties before the Court with a true hearing of their claims and arguments, to actively listen, and let them know they’ve been heard, while applying the law fairly.

As the son of an immigrant, I was raised in a bilingual and multi-cultural home. As a child, we lived abroad in Mexico City and Sao Paulo, so I am familiar with the challenges of changing cultures, languages, and norms while adapting to new places, and our County has many immigrants from places much further afield.

As a young man, I worked as a dishwasher, in retail, as a short-order cook, and a variety of jobs on campus to help afford the cost of a college education. I am the first person from either side of my family to become a lawyer. Having started my own practice right out of law school in the immediate aftermath of the ’08-’09 Financial Crisis—I may be one of the few lawyers who has taken buses to get to my office and the courts of Northern Virginia. My wife and I were renters in Arlington for the first 10 years of our marriage, as we had our children, and supported one another’s careers.

Over the course of my legal career, I have represented hundreds of indigent and near-indigent criminal defendants, many of whom spoke English as a second language or came from countries with different legal systems. Likewise, as a prosecutor, I have worked with pro se litigants or defendants concerned about immigration consequences and other collateral consequences, attempting to reach agreeable resolutions that balance accountability, public safety, and the appropriate sanctions to place them on a path to success. I believe this experience demonstrates that I have the patience and empathy required of a General District Court Judge.

During law school, I had the honor of interning in the chambers of Judge Robert W. Wooldridge of the Fairfax Circuit Court, and then later I took his class on Virginia Practice. I learned first-hand how a judge could render his decisions, for or against litigants, and be the most respected and well-liked judges on the bench; and he demonstrated to me how lawyers in Virginia could be fierce advocates and yet collegial with one another. He was an inspiration for how I have conducted my legal career so far, and his standard would be the one I would seek to meet if appointed.

I thank the Committee and our local Bar for their consideration.

Jump to Committee Report on Frank Webb, Esq.

CAMERON  WILLIAMS

Judicial Candidate Application

Personal Statement

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been dedicated to advocating for marginalized communities and giving back to the people around me. In high school, I became involved in community service, preparing meals at homeless shelters and working with Habitat for Humanity. This commitment only grew when I began my professional career as a Special Education paraprofessional in DC Public Schools.

Having personally felt the impact of systemic inequalities, I’ve long been aware of the challenges facing underserved communities. My work with minority students, many dealing with past and present trauma, deepened my conviction that everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed. While I did everything I could to support my students in the classroom, it became clear to me that addressing the larger systems holding them back was just as important. This realization led me to law school, where I could better equip myself to fight for equity on a larger scale.

I entered Antonin Scalia Law School with the express purpose of serving the community. During both summers, I worked with Public Defender Offices in Northern Virginia and I also participated in a clinic that assisted military servicemembers secure deserved benefits and assisted with their civil legal matters. After graduation, my passion to serve the community did not fade. I accepted a position as a Judicial Clerk with the Fairfax County Circuit Court, where working closely with judges, hearing their perspectives on legal issues, and witnessing their dedication to justice solidified my desire to become a judge. I realized I could most effectively serve my community and deliver justice from the bench.

My aspiration to become a judge stems from my commitment to both justice and service. I believe serving as a judge means ensuring the law is applied fairly and protects the rights of all individuals, especially those historically marginalized. In this role, I would have the opportunity to serve my community of Arlington in a meaningful way, working to create a legal system that is not only just but holds space for compassion and equity for everyone.

My journey has prepared me to embrace the challenges and responsibilities of a judge. I am eager to champion justice and serve my community, advocating for those who need it most and working tirelessly to create a legal system that reflects our shared values of equity and compassion.

Jump to Committee Report on Cameron Williams, Esq.