Helen Wallace, JD '99, Montgomery County’s first female judge elected to the juvenile court bench, was sworn in in January. Wallace says she is honored that she can be seen as a role model in her new position. "I think it’s very important that our girls in our county can look up to a female judge, especially if they happen to come before the court, and know they can have a future like mine and they can strive to be at the very top of the legal profession." She says she is looking forward to making a difference for kids in the community.
Q&A
How did you become interested in serving as an elected official?
"A beloved judge was retiring from the Juvenile Court in Montgomery County and I believed that I would be the best person to take his place and lead the Court in the future. I also thought it was high time a woman was elected to the bench of Montgomery County, Ohio Juvenile Court. No other women were running and so I decided to toss my hat into the ring."
What do you think from your legal education helped you in your election and do you use your degree in your daily work?
"Everything in my legal education helped me learn to be a judge. Yes, I use my degree every day as Judge of the Montgomery County Juvenile Court. I hear cases ranging from Aggravated Robberies with Firearm Specifications to Child Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Cases to Cases involving Custody of Children with Unmarried Parents."
What are some lessons you take from your days at GW Law?
"Work hard and strive to learn how to best apply the law. Also, bad facts make bad law! I did an administrative law clinic with Professor Gutman and learned that there is nothing more rewarding than helping others, especially those in need. I will never forget how good it felt to help get a man with AIDS social security benefits as part of my work in the clinic. That experience sparked a desire in me to be of service to the public.
GW Law will prepare you for anything you wish to do in life. Running a campaign is a lot different than practicing law, but having a GW Law trained mind is an absolute benefit across the board. My time at GW Law has always served me well. First as a practicing attorney in civil litigation, then as a prosecutor, defense attorney and guardian ad litem. It is now helping me be the best elected official and Judge I can be."
What are your goals/objectives in your position?
"I am excited to do many things in my new position as Judge. Montgomery County, Ohio is quite large with a population of 550,000 people. I would like to see all our children begin life with an equitable education and having their basic needs met. I believe children can learn from mistakes and look forward to creating more programs to help them do so. I am also excited to be an example of diversity as the first female Judge of our Juvenile Court."
What advice do you have for students who also want to serve their community as an elected officer?
"Work hard and smart. Volunteer in campaigns so that you know what it will take to run a winning campaign. Network and get to know as many people in the community as you can. Do public service with a sincere desire to help others."