Judge Vonda Bailey Shaw
255TH Family District Court in Dallas County
Vonda Bailey Shaw is a Dallas, Texas native. She is the daughter of Charles and Cynthia Bailey and grew up in the historic Oak Cliff neighborhood. Vonda graduated from David W. Carter High School and then attended Dallas College where she obtained her associate degree. Vonda received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and later earned her master’s degree from UTA. Following graduation, Vonda worked for the Dallas County Probation Department, but knew her purpose in life was more than working as a probation officer. Realizing her passion was advocating for others, she attended The Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.
Following graduation from law school in 2014, Vonda established the law firm of Vonda Bailey and immediately made an impact in the Dallas area, especially the Tri-City area (Desoto, Duncanville and Cedar Hill). Vonda hosted an annual Client Appreciation Yacht Party where she collected donated items to give to those in need and children. Vonda is a frequent speaker at local schools’ career day, where she loves to challenge youngsters to do well in school and pursue their passion. Vonda has provided pro bono (free) services to many who have family law issues. Vonda won numerous awards for her legal abilities and is recognized by her peers as a “Super Lawyer.” Seeing a need to educate more people about child support issues, Vonda created the YouTube show Support Court with Judge Vonda B. The show depicts real issues portrayed by actors to illustrate everyday child support matters.
While Vonda experienced success in both her law practice and on her YouTube show, she yearned to make even more of an impact. In 2020, Vonda made the brave decision to move back to Dallas County, where she had moved from years earlier, to run for judge of the 255th Family District Court. In 2022, Vonda won the election by beating the incumbent judge by almost 20,000 votes. In January 2023, Vonda took the bench and immediately took off. In her first couple of months on the bench, Vonda established a monthly night court to enable those litigants who could not get off from work to have their day in court. She also established a monthly pro se court where those who are not represented by an attorney can have a fair day in court with the help of local attorney groups. Vonda has “reopened” the 255th court by taking any steps that will enable litigants to get their day in court in front of a fair and impartial judge who follows the rule of law.
Vonda resides in Duncanville, Texas, with her loving husband, Chris Shaw, and their two children, Austin and Arielle. She attends the Lancaster Church of Christ, where she is a long-time member. Vonda is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.