WS Chronicle

Judge Kristin Kelly Broyles (Democrat) has been serving Winston-Salem and Forsyth County for three years, since first taking the bench in 2022. She currently occupies Seat 9 of the North Carolina 31st Judicial District. Since the fourth grade, Judge Broyles knew she wanted to help her community through the lens of the law. “My teacher asked the class what they wanted to be when they grew up and my response was that I wanted to be a judge in divorce court,” said Judge Broyles in an interview with The Chronicle. “And while my parents are still together and we don’t know why I said a judge in divorce court, once I did finally go to law school and started practicing, I did end up focusing my career on family law.” 

Judge Broyles attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received her degree in political science, and thereafter obtained her law degree from North Carolina Central University. She started her career working in public interest work for the North Carolina nonprofit organization Legal Aid, specifically within their domestic violence unit, alongside fellow district court judge Valene McMasters. She then transitioned her career into family and criminal law through private practice, before ultimately pursuing judgeship.  

For Judge Broyles, much of her inspiration for her own work is drawn from the women who have paved the way in the legal field both locally and nationally. “I think that it’s important to recognize the number of women that have been on at least the bench here in Forsyth County before me. Judge Vickery has been on the bench for years before me, as well as Judge Menifee and Judge Hutchins, Judge Hartsfield … these are people that you look up to and you learn from as far as the everyday and what to do on the bench,” said Judge Broyles.  

“But I would be remiss if I didn’t say Ruth Bader Ginsburg was somebody that I looked up to … the notorious RBG, you know, this is someone that we learned about. And I was fascinated with some of the briefs that she wrote and the appearances that she made on behalf of women … she wrote the brief for the first Supreme Court decision, I think it was Reed v. Reed, where the Supreme Court extended the rights for women under the Equal Protection Act and the 14th Amendment. And that’s just so empowering because there was a time when women weren’t allowed to be in the courtroom. Women weren’t allowed to argue in front of the Supreme Court. And so, if we look at these people that came before us, it’s awe-inspiring.” 

Through her duties as a judge, Judge Broyles not only works toward making a broad impact within the community, but she also seeks to help others through small acts in her day-to-day work in the courtroom. Homing in on her experiences from working in family law – as well as personal perspective as a mother to a young child – Judge Broyles and one of her colleagues have taken the initiative to collect stuffed animals and distribute them throughout the courtrooms for judges to provide comfort for children sitting through hearings. Through small acts of compassion, Judge Broyles fosters her dedication to making people feel heard and dignified. 

This Women’s History Month, we are proud to celebrate Judge Broyles, her resilience in her path to the bench, and her commitment to making a difference for families across Forsyth County. “To quote someone that I’ve already mentioned, Justice Ginsburg, she said, ‘Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.’ And so, you know, that really resonates being a woman and, you know, starting off your career, going to law school, taking the bar, finding that first job, stepping foot into the courtroom, and then ultimately being a judge,” said Judge Broyles. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the women that were before me. And certainly, I mean, doesn’t that resonate with all of us? Shouldn’t we be at the table? And to be able to celebrate the women that came before us, although it did take a long time to get where we are, these women were so brave to have stepped forward and done that before us. 

And to be able to celebrate that is great.”