Ellis County DA shifting up the ladder of good results
Freshly-elected Ellis County District Attorney Ann Montgomery was not born and lifted below in Waxahachie, but considering the fact that her arrival in the spring of 2016 she’s built her mark on the city and has been greatly associated in the neighborhood government procedure at any time considering the fact that.
Montgomery was sworn into her new posture on Jan. 1, 2021.
Born and raised near Cleburne in Johnson County, Montgomery is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Billy Gene Montgomery. She claims, “The past several years have been really hard for me, as I missing my mother in 2018 and then my father passed away in 2019. Both equally lived in Cleburne at the time of their deaths.”
She has two older siblings, a brother and sister. And she is extremely happy to be called “Aunt Ann” to her prolonged relatives of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and terrific-nephews.
Since the spouse and children lived just outdoors the town boundaries in Johnson County, developing up, the
Montgomery youngsters experienced the choice to show up at Cleburne or Grandview universities. It was the youngest child’s (Ann’s) wishes to go to Cleburne colleges in the Cleburne I.S.D., until eventually she designed the selection to transfer to college in Grandview from 8th grade by her significant university yrs.
Montgomery clarifies, “I generally realized that I liked the regulation. In high faculty, I was a participant in the Lincoln-Douglas debates and went to condition my senior year representing Grandview. When I was older, my father would brag and say that he realized I would be a great legal professional sometime since I was extremely fantastic at arguing!”
Her road map to results
Montgomery shares her very long journey to obtaining her intention of starting to be a bona fide legal professional: “While I was attending Tarrant County Junior College, I labored aspect-time for a local criminal protection and family regulation lawyer. I graduated from University of Texas at Arlington in December of 1989 – with a B.A. in Political Science and a minimal in History. From there, I went to operate for a individual harm lawyer. Although there, I grew to become a Board Certified Authorized Assistant in Individual Injury Trial Legislation and a Accredited Authorized Assistant by way of the Countrywide Association of Authorized Assistants.”
When she had progressed as substantially as she could as a lawful assistant, she applied and was recognized to Texas Wesleyan College University of Law, wherever she continued to operate a regulation-linked job throughout the day although attending college at night time. Montgomery worked for the Main Disciplinary Counsel’s Place of work of the Point out Bar of Texas.
“My obligations provided investigating and then prosecuting attorneys for misconduct,” she included. “The transition from prosecuting lawyers to prosecuting folks accused of crimes was not a hard just one. At long final, I graduated in December in 2001 with a Physician of Jurisprudence diploma.”
Doing work her way up in Ellis County
She came to get the job done in Ellis County on Feb. 3, 2003, as a misdemeanor prosecutor. “Later on, I commenced to work mostly in the civil division of the place of work,” relays Montgomery. “Although in the civil division, I ongoing to operate on prison cases, but my primary responsibilities improved to advising elected officers and litigating civil asset forfeitures and bond forfeitures.”
In December 2018, she was appointed To start with Assistant by Patrick Wilson, the elected County and District Lawyer. “In that place, I became concerned in the management of the office,” Montgomery continues. “When Mr. Wilson resolved to retire at the end of his time period, I determined the time was right for me to operate for the place. I experienced worked in every single facet of the business office and was familiar with all of the capabilities that we carry out, both legal and civil, as effectively as with the administration and finances of the business office. I felt that I was uniquely qualified to proceed to serve the citizens of the county in this place.”
Montgomery claims, “What I seriously take pleasure in most about my task is that I appreciate doing work with all of the unique folks and police companies. To me, each day is a new obstacle. It is hard to come across a increased target than searching for justice for the citizens of Ellis County. My plans contain performing on my personal skills and top an office that is effective every single working day to do the finest feasible occupation for these citizens.”
On the downside, nonetheless, she says “a single of the most difficult parts of my position is conference with the family members of victims. Sadly, that has took place several instances since I took workplace, and it is often pretty challenging to get by means of.”
Having fun with her new town and favored pastimes
Montgomery has cherished living in Waxahachie since she arrived 5 a long time ago. She admits, “I have been active in numerous organizations and have designed terrific buddies listed here. I a short while ago worked with some others to convey the new amphitheater to downtown and I glance ahead to the gatherings, concerts, and performs at that facility in the yrs to occur.”
She relays, “I am a genuine pet-lover. In November, my 16 calendar year old Cocker Spaniel mix, Chloe, passed absent. In December, I adopted a 3-calendar year-outdated German Shepard blend, Jagger. Most of my absolutely free time is spent with him and education him. I engage in seven diverse musical instruments but primarily engage in my tenor saxophone at church (Initial United Methodist Church of Waxahachie), and I’m also in the Waxahachie Space Live performance Band (whilst I took this semester off). I also get pleasure from shelling out time with my pals and reading.”
Montgomery is certified to observe in Texas, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, 5th Circuit Court docket of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Courtroom. Some of the lots of clubs and businesses Montgomery is an actively included in involve:
-Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center, situation director
-Rotary Club of Waxahachie, Board Member, Paul Harris Fellow
-Tri County Vehicle Theft and Burglary Undertaking Power, Board of Director and current Vice-Chair
-North Central Texas Council of Governments, Felony Justice Coverage Committee
-Texas District and County Attorneys Association, member
-University of the State Bar of Texas
-American Legion Auxiliary, Sergeant at Arms
-Waxahachie Challenge Ally
-Management Waxahachie Course of XXII
-Ellis County Republican Women, Parliamentarian
-WISD Lighthouse for Learning Advisory Committee member
-WISD District Education Advancement Committee member
-Waxahachie Symphony Affiliation, Board Member
-Ellis County Gals in Business
-Women’s Developing Board Member
As the new Ellis County legal professional, Montgomery will be mainly liable for felony prosecution, misdemeanor prosecution and domestic battery prosecution. The business office is also responsible for giving protecting orders, mental health and fitness commitments, victim assistance, lawful guidance, counsel for county officials and the commissioner’s court docket and representation for the Texas Office 6 of Relatives and Protective Providers.
