Spend a short amount of time speaking with Fifth District Court of Appeals Justice Carolyn Wright and you'll see that Justice Wright is dedicated to being a true public servant. If you take a look at her record, you'll find that her commitment to public service has guided her in every step of her professional career.

            Justice Wright has served on the bench for 17 years. She is the highest ranking African‑American in the Texas State Judiciary. Justice Wright's transition from advocate to judge began only five years out of law school when Justice Wright was the first African‑American appointed as Master in Family District Court. In 1986, she was elected State Judge of the 256th District Court, defeating three opponents in the process. Justice Wright's victory marked the first time that an African‑American woman had won a county‑wide election for the District Court bench. She served in the 256th District Court until she was appointed by Governor Bush to fill a vacant seat on the Fifth District Court of Appeals. She has since been elected twice to the same seat, and although her current term doesn't expire until 2004, she is quick to note that she plans to run again.

            Justice Wright, a fourth generation Texan, was born in Houston but lived in a number of places before coming back to Texas after law school. Since her father was in the United States Air Force, Justice Wright's family was frequently on the move. She attended junior high at Ashiya Air Force Base in Japan and two years of high school at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan before moving back to the United States. Although she doesn't speak much Japanese anymore, Justice Wright continues to love Japanese culture, particularly Japanese sumo wrestling.

            While grateful she was able to experience life in another culture, Justice Wright admits the transition back to the United States was very difficult. When she returned in the 1960's she was shocked to find the country in political and racial turmoil. This experience forced her to question where she fit in society and how she could make a difference. Her questions were partially answered during her junior year in high school when Justice Wright became the first African‑American selected to go to Delaware's Girls State. At Girls State, she was elected Attorney‑General and argued a case for the abolition of Delaware's whipping post. This marked the point in her life when she decided to dedicate herself to the law.

            After graduating from high school Justice Wright enrolled in a paralegal program at Strayer College in Washington, D.C. After receiving her degree, she worked for the Citizens Crusade Against Poverty, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Office of Youth Advocacy. While working at the EEOC, Justice Wright met her mentor, Dr. James Jones, who convinced her to go back to school and get her law degree. Justice Wright enrolled at Howard University School of Law and received her J.D. in 1978.

            Upon graduation from law school, Justice Wright decided to move back to Texas and began a private law practice in Dallas. She describes the beginning of her legal career as "breaking into a new frontier." At that time in Dallas, there were no African‑American attorneys practicing in the major law firms and only one other African‑American woman engaged in the full time practice of law.

            As a young attorney, Justice Wright was both advocate and mentor to the youth she frequently represented in court. One problem that nagged Justice Wright were the opinions frequently espoused by her clients that the system was unfair. Justice Wright believes that "justice is as much about the appearance of justice as it is actual fairness." She further believes that a diverse judiciary greatly enhances the perception that our legal system is fair and just to all. With that in mind, Justice Wright quickly made it her goal to ensure greater diversity in the ranks of the Dallas judiciary.

            When asked what advice she would give to lawyers practicing in the Fifth District Court of Appeals, Judge Wright quickly responds that lawyers need to remember that oral arguments are for the judges, not the lawyers. Lawyers should be particularly prepared to answer questions if they argue a point of law that is not well settled. Justice Wright's biggest courtroom pet peeve is inattention to the court's standard of review and attempts to rely on the sympathy of the court. She notes that it is completely irrelevant whether she feels sympathy toward the appellant unless the appellant can show there are points of error within the court's jurisdiction.

            As for things we all want to know about Justice Wright:

(1) Favorite movie ‑ any World War II movie with a "love theme"

(2) Favorite TV show ‑ CNN News and 60 Minutes

(3) Last book read ‑ "Gifted Hands" ‑‑ an autobiography of African‑American neurosurgeon, Dr. Ben Carson

(4) Favorite food ‑ seafood and rice

(5) Favorite sports team ‑ Dallas Mavericks

(6) Person she'd most like to meet ‑ Nelson Mandela