Damita J. Dandridge

The Honorable Circuit Court Judge, Damita J. Dandridge is a native Memphian, and a graduate of LeMoyne-Owen College, where she obtained a B.A. Degree in Political Science. She received her Juris Doctorate Degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Houston, Texas.

Judge Dandridge has other professional preparation, such as a participant in Dartmouth College Summer Institute in preparation for Genome and the Law. She also participated in the Harvard Law School Program of Instruction for lawyers.

Judge Dandridge was recently the Assistant Professor of Political Science and the Coordinator of Service-Learning at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee. At the College, she taught in Political Science, Criminal Justice, Business and Service-Learning for over 30 years. She assisted in creating and designing the curriculum for Service-Learning and Criminal Justice.

The Honorable Judge volunteers with several local nonprofits and has served as past board chair for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Memphis Chapter and Knowledge Quest after school program.

Judge Dandridge has served as the Public Relations Chair for the Board of Public Relations and is the Vice-President of the Women at the Cross Society of the Lutheran Women Missionary League at Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church in Whitehaven. She served as President of the Society for over 10 years.

The Honorable Dandridge has practiced in criminal and civil law for over 37 years, including her time in Houston, Texas. Before her election, on May 2, 2022, Judge Dandridge celebrated 20 years as a Shelby County Judicial Commissioner.

Judge Dandridge, professional affiliations are Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Ben Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, Association of Women Attorneys, and the Judicial Commissioners Association. Judge Dandridge is also engaged with the following civic associations; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Phi Lambda Omega Chapter, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, National Council of Negro Women, Women in Leadership Leaning on Wisdom (Willow), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), United Campus Workers of American-CWA Local 3865, and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

Before becoming Circuit Court Judge, Judge Dandridge, recently won the 2018 recognition for “12 Outstanding Women in the Judiciary,” and was recognized by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Memphis, Shelby County Chapter for service as an Educator, 2022 President’s Service Award. Judge Damita J. Dandridge is the mother of two adult sons.