10 The Honorable Vernetta Perkins Walker
Vernetta Perkins Walker is the District Judge in Dallas County, Alabama. She is the first female judge on the county bench in Dallas County history. Before becoming a judge, Ms. Perkins Walker was a licensed attorney, practicing in Alabama for over 22 years, specializing in criminal law, education law, non-profit management, and project management. Judge Perkins Walker formerly served as General Counsel for Montgomery Public Schools in Montgomery, Alabama. As General Counsel, she was responsible for all legal affairs of the board of education and the school district, while also serving as advisor to the superintendent and senior staff on strategic planning, public policy, community engagement, general compliance issues, and fiscal issues affecting the district. Before joining MPS as an attorney, Judge Perkins Walker worked as a full-time prosecutor in the Office of Ellen Brooks, District Attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit. She also served as a part-time homicide prosecutor in the Office of Michael Jackson, District Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit, and had a solo law practice. In her solo practice, she handled juvenile court, family law, and general civil cases. She was also formerly an associate attorney with the Montgomery law firm, Davis & Hatcher, LLC. Judge Perkins Walker is very active in her community and has served as a consultant on project management and strategic planning projects for various nonprofit organizations and community initiatives. She is the founder of the Selma-Dallas County Children’s Policy Alliance, a foundation established to relaunch the local Children’s Policy Council, facilitate community advisory boards, and convene the community to strategically plan for the needs of local children. Judge Perkins Walker is a product of Selma City Schools, graduating from Selma High School in May of 1993. She is also a graduate of Spelman College and the University of Alabama School of Law.