TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Judge Dimple Malhotra is raising the bar when it comes to diversity on the bench in Travis County.
In a ruling of a lifetime, Malhotra is the first and only person of Asian Indian decent elected to a judicial seat in Travis County. Malhotra is also the first female Asian American elected judge in the county’s history.
“Never in my wildest dream did I imagine that someone who looks like me could be sitting here. That is just something that I never thought could happen. Certainly not as young adult, not in college, not in law school. I never saw that,” said Malhotra.
Born in New Delhi, the capital of India, Malhotra and her family came to America when she was only 2 years old.
She grew up in Dallas before making the move to Austin to attend the University of Texas. Malhotra received her undergraduate degrees in government and sociology at UT Austin. She later graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, where she worked as an attorney ad litem for abused and neglected children.
“I actually moved away after graduating from law school. My husband and I moved to the San Francisco Bay area and that’s where I worked for seven years. We made the decision to come back to Austin because it’s a place that we love and to see how Austin has changed and now be a part of this change,” recalled Malhotra
Malhotra was appointed as a county judge in November of 2019, before being elected the following year.
"It was a very emotional day for me and for my family. I didn’t recognized the significance at the time but it was an historic moment,” said Malhotra.
Malhotra presides in County Court 4 specializing in cases surrounding domestic violence.
“The bulk of my job is risk assessment so what I do every day, day in and day out is make decision about ... can someone get released on a bond? What kind of conditions need to be in place?” said Malhotra.
Malhotra believes having diversity on the bench sends a strong message to the community she serves.
“I think it says to people that those of us who are in the Asian community that we do offer a lot to our society and that we are instrumental in bringing change and that we should be recognized and respected. That impact is overreaching. If I’m able to inspire even one person to follow their dreams and achieve the things they want to achieve then that’s a huge moment for me.”
While not all heroes wear capes, it’s fair to say robes are in favor in this court of law.