Judge Ashleigh Parker Dunston

Tell us your story. How did you get to where you are today?

I'm a District Court Judge in Wake County, North Carolina. I hear all types of cases ranging from misdemeanors to family court. I attended Wake Forest University for undergrad and North Carolina Central University for law school. My first job was as a prosecutor in the Wake County District Attorney's Office and then an Assistant Attorney General representing the Division of Motor Vehicles. I was appointed by Governor Cooper to become a District Court Judge in November of 2017.

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Why did you want to become a lawyer?

Technically I wanted to become a doctor, but quickly realized after my first Biology course at Wake Forest University that it was not a plausible reality. So, once I decided to become a lawyer, my inspiration was my father, a retired career prosecutor and the first African American to practice law on the western-side of North Carolina. I wanted to become a career prosecutor like my dad and ironically we had the same first job out of law school—the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. I sought to be a judge after realizing that there was only one African-American Female District Court Judge out of 19 and that I had unique experiences in practice and in life that would allow me to further serve the community and (hopefully) make a difference in people’s lives.

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Was it a smooth road becoming a lawyer and getting to where you are now? If not, what are some of the struggles you encountered?

As a young, African American female, I've had several unique experiences and challenges. I've been asked if I'm a secretary or completely ignored while in the courtroom. I've been told my natural hair isn't attractive. As a Judge, I've been told, "You're too young/pretty to be a Judge." I just humbly smile or laugh it off, but it doesn't the comments feel any less demeaning or annoying.

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What are you most proud of as a judge? What do you love the most about what you do?

I'm most proud of being in a position where I can hopefully make a huge and positive difference in people's lives and in their belief of the judicial system. My judicial philosophy is to keep it "R.E.A.L:" Respectful, Efficient, Active in the Community, and Learned in the law. Everyday, I try to ensure that I am honoring that philosophy.

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If you could change, improve or disrupt one thing about the practice of law, what would it be?

I would end sexism, racism, and implicit biases. These are all things that compromise the impartiality and equity that is the core of our judicial system.

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What are you doing when you're not lawyering?

I am spending time with my husband and two children, working out, attending church, and serving in the community.