WS Chronicle

Judge Valene McMasters (Democrat) has served the City of Winston-Salem in Seat 1of the 31st District Court since December 2021, after being appointed to the bench by Governor Roy Cooper. She filled a vacancy left by the Honorable Judge Denise Hartsfield’s retirement. McMasters’ journey from a legal aid attorney to a respected district court judge exemplifies her unwavering dedication to serving her community.​ 

In an interview with The Chronicle, McMasters shared that it was a teacher who piqued her interest in law. 

“It was during Black History Month [in sixth grade] that I learned about Thurgood Marshall specifically and I was just inspired. I was really inspired by the kind of work that he did to really make an impact on children and just in general. So, that was when I thought, ‘OK, I think law is really going to be where I’d like to go.’ Although I originally wanted to be a pediatrician because Florence Nightingale was one of my role models.” 

Judge McMasters’ academic journey began at Cornell University, where she graduated in 1995 with Distinction in All Subjects. She then pursued her legal education at Boston College Law School, earning her Juris Doctor in 1998.  

Following law school, Judge McMasters began her legal career as a Trademark Law Department associate with the Kilpatrick law firm’s Winston-Salem office. In 2002, she transitioned to Legal Aid of North Carolina, where she served as the managing attorney for the Winston-Salem office for 19 years. In this role, she supervised a team of over 25 attorneys and paralegals, assisting clients in family law, housing and public benefits cases.   

McMasters drew her judgeship aspirations from other giants in the legal community. 

When talking about the challenges women in the legal profession face, McMasters feels the accomplishments women have made should be acknowledged.  

“We’ve come a long way, in my opinion. There’s always going to be [challenges], maybe one day not. But for now, there’s always going to be new things that can be done and new ways that things can be better for women who practice law or who sit on the bench. But I’m also proud of the ways that we have made a whole bunch of strides. And Forsyth County really has very good representation at this point in time with a large number of the judges on our bench are women.” 

Judge McMasters has been actively involved in her community, serving as a big sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters and as board chair for both Authoring Action youth group and the Shugart Women’s Center at Forsyth Technical Community College.   

She hopes her time on the bench and the decisions she makes bring a difference for the litigants that stand before her each day. McMasters recalls a time when her legal decision was impactful for a woman in her courtroom.  

“It may have been one of the hardest things that she had to do and experience. And I made the best and most informed decision that I could possibly make on that day. I remember saying to her, ‘This decision that I’m making today does not have to be a scarlet letter for you. Do not have this define you.’ A year later, she actually wrote a letter to me, and she talked about how my words that day had such an impact on her. And she has since finished school and she’s now on her career path. But to know that I can have that kind of impact is what makes me proud.” 

We celebrate Women’s History Month along with the accomplishments of Judge McMasters. Her journey from Legal Aid to the judiciary serves as an inspiring example of dedication and leadership in the legal profession.  

“It’s a moment to be proud to be a woman, because there will be much more of a laser focus on the accomplishments of women and the ways that women have contributed. So, it’s a reason to be proud, particularly this month, to be a woman.”