Joyce Elise Williams Warren carries the honor of being the first black female judge in the Pulaski County system and, in fact, the first in Arkansas. She currently serves as 10th Division Circuit Judge in the Sixth Judicial District, which encompasses Pulaski and Perry Counties, where she presides over juvenile and domestic relations cases.
She was the first black female graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law, completing her Juris Doctor Degree in 1976. In 2001, she earned a Diploma of Judicial Skills from the American Academy of Judicial Education.
She shares her knowledge and experience by training judges and attorneys in Arkansas and other states. In 2000, Judge Warren wrote A Booklet for Parents, Guardians, and Custodians in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases. In April of 2012, Judge Warren was named as the National CASA Judge of the Year.
She is the Judge of the Arkansas Pilot Court Team for Safe Babies. She was elected Chairperson of the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission in May of 2013, becoming the first female to serve in that capacity.
In October of 2009, Judge Warren was elected to a one-year term as President of the Arkansas Judicial Council, effective October 2010, earning her the distinction of becoming the first black person to hold that office.
She is married to James M. “Butch” Warren. They have three adult sons and six grandchildren.