Warren announces candidacy for new circuit judge position

FAYETTEVILLE — Diane Warren has announced her candidacy for judge of the new 8th Division of the 4th Judicial Circuit, which will serve Washington and Madison counties.

The position was approved during the last legislative session and is expected to hear juvenile and family law cases.

“With over 20 years of experience in juvenile and family law, I have seen the critical role courts play in shaping the future of some of our community’s most vulnerable children and families,” Warren said in an announcement. “I have learned that to help, the court must understand — and for the court to understand, the court must listen. As circuit court judge, I will listen to children, social workers, parents, foster parents and child advocates.”

Warren, 55, of Fayetteville is a former attorney ad litem for Arkansas and was named attorney ad litem of the year by the Court Appointed Special Advocates organization. She is chairwoman-elect of the Juvenile Justice & Child Welfare Section of the Arkansas Bar Association and has been selected to author an updated version of the Domestic Relations Handbook, a legal resource.

Warren has operated Warren Law Firm since 2012. She is a member of the American, Arkansas and Washington County Bar associations.

Warren said she believes with the right approach, courts can help families get back on track. She said she would put families first, keeping them together when possible and, when that’s not possible, helping create opportunities for them to stay connected and rebuild.

Warren grew up in Gunnison, Colo., and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colorado State University. She studied at the University of Lancaster in England on a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship. She received her law degree in 1996 from Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington.

Warren moved to Arkansas in 1997 when her husband, Ron, got a job with the University of Arkansas.

Conrad Odom, Tim Snively and Brian Hogue are the other announced candidates for the position.

Elections in Arkansas for circuit judges are nonpartisan. The 2020 election will be March 3. Runoffs will be on the general election ballot in November. The judge will take office Jan. 1, 2021.

Circuit judges serve sixyear terms and are paid $168,096 a year.

Warren