Tonya Parker is from Chicago, Illinois. She has a bachelor[27s degree from the University of North Texas and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. She has lived in Dallas County for approximately 30 years.

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Tonya Parker is from Chicago, Illinois. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. She lives in Dallas County. 

Tonya is a judge for the 116th Judicial District Court in Dallas County, Texas. Before taking the bench, she was a trial attorney. She started her legal career as an associate at White Hill Sims & Wiggins, where she became a partner in 2004. In 2007, she joined Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail LLP, where she was also elected to the partnership and worked as a trial attorney until her election to the bench. She also served as an American Marshall Fellow, promoting transatlantic relations in Europe. 

Tonya previously worked as an associate and partner at White Hill Sims & Wiggins and as a trial attorney and partner at Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail LLP.  She also served as an American Marshall Fellow, promoting transatlantic relations in Europe. 

Tonya is currently a judge presiding over the 116th Judicial District Court. She was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 and 2020.

Tonya Parker | The American Law Institute

Tonya is currently a judge presiding over the 116th Judicial District Court. She was first elected in 2010. 

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 an attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

- 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 an attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

Legal Experience

An Interview with Judge Tonya Parker | Attorney at Law Magazine

Aims to create an atmosphere of preparedness, thoughtfulness, transparency, courtesy, and commitment to deciding cases according to the law.

- Aims to create an atmosphere of preparedness, thoughtfulness, transparency, courtesy, and commitment to deciding cases according to the law.

Judicial Administration

Values fairness, preparedness, and dignity as a judge.

Aims to deliver fair and impartial justice by reading filed briefs, listening to court arguments, and carefully studying the law.

Advocates for mitigating unethical behavior in the judiciary through unlimited counseling for judges and court staff, mandatory paid sabbaticals, and fair compensation increases.

Advocates for mitigating unethical behavior in the judiciary through unlimited counseling for judges and court staff, mandating paid sabbaticals, and fair compensation increases.

- Values fairness, preparedness, and dignity as a judge.
- Aims to deliver fair and impartial justice by reading filed briefs, listening to court arguments, and carefully studying the law.
- Advocates for mitigating unethical behavior in the judiciary through unlimited counseling for judges and court staff, mandating paid sabbaticals, and fair compensation increases.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, Tonya Parker’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Volunteers with IGNITE, a non-partisan organization focused on building political ambition and training young women to run for public office.

Dedicated public servant and thought leader in the community, delivering keynote addresses at bar and civic events across the country.

Participates as a dedicated public servant and thought leader in the community, delivering keynote addresses at bar and civic events across the country. 

Served on numerous legal and civic boards and commissions, including as Chairperson of the Dallas Arts District Alliance’s Board of Directors, Commissioner on the City of Dallas Community Development Commission, At-large Director for the Dallas Bar Association Board, and more.

Frequently speaks at CLE programs related to implicit bias in civil jury trials, courtroom advocacy, and judicial independence.

- Volunteers with IGNITE, a non-partisan organization focused on building political ambition and training young women to run for public office.
- Participates as a dedicated public servant and thought leader in the community, delivering keynote addresses at bar and civic events across the country. 
- Served on numerous legal and civic boards and commissions, including as Chairperson of the Dallas Arts District Alliance’s Board of Directors, Commissioner on the City of Dallas Community Development Commission, At-large Director for the Dallas Bar Association Board, and more.
- Frequently speaks at CLE programs related to implicit bias in civil jury trials, courtroom advocacy, and judicial independence.

Community Involvement

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Tonya Parker

As a regular volunteer with Ignite, a non-partisan organization, she helps train young women (ages 14-22) to run for public office.

For Candidate Tonya Parker on Issue judicial-administration: Supports reforms to prevent unethical behavior in the judiciary and questions the effectiveness of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct as a deterrent.

Supports reforms to prevent unethical behavior in the judiciary and questions the effectiveness of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct as a deterrent.

Cannot fairly embrace either label regarding judicial philosophy, emphasizing the complexity of legal interpretation and the governing authorities involved.

Judge Tonya Parker Archives - Diversity and Flexibility Alliance

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.