Hon. Tena Callahan, elected judge of the 302nd Family District Court in November 2006, certainly did not follow a “typical” path to the bench. Born and raised in Dallas, Judge Callahan graduated from Bryan Adams High School and proudly displays her high school diploma in her office. After graduation, Judge Callahan enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Instead of obtaining a degree in political science, business, accounting, finance, or another “typical” pre-law major, Judge Callahan received a BFA with a focus on acting, an experience to which she attributes her confident demeanor in the courtroom. Though she ultimately chose not to pursue a career on the stage or big screen, Judge Callahan still enjoys watching her classmates, who occasionally appear in movies, television sitcoms, and in the theater. After earning her college degree, Judge Callahan returned to Dallas in 1977, where she worked in sales and advertising for more than 10 years to support her two children before deciding to pursue a law degree. Interestingly, her decision to become a lawyer was greatly influenced by a landlord/tenant dispute she had with a former roommate, which eventually ended up in small claims court. Judge Callahan “enjoyed” preparing for court and her experience in front of the judge. She felt comfortable and confident speaking in open court, due in large part to her experience as an actress. She also received compliments on her public speaking ability and preparedness from other litigants. After this life-changing experience, Judge Callahan began to seriously consider changing careers. Aided by a benevolent employer, Judge Callahan took the LSAT and applied to law school, despite working full-time and raising her children. She was accepted to law school at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. Although Judge Callahan did not focus on family law while in law school, she gained valuable experience in the field working part-time for a solo practitioner in San Antonio. Upon graduation from St. Mary’s, Judge Callahan returned to Dallas with her children, where she founded a family law practice in 1992. For more than 14 years, her practice focused exclusively on family law, probate and domestic relations. During her time as a solo practitioner, Judge Callahan also served as a volunteer associate judge for the 256th and 330th Family District Courts and was active as a member of the State Bar Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. When asked why she decided to run for judge, she emphasized that she wanted to make a difference in peoples’ lives and impact the community. Judge Callahan says the family courts present a unique opportunity to positively influence the lives of children through adoption and child custody proceedings. Judge Callahan cites her predecessor, Judge Frances Harris, as a judge she particularly admired. In the courtroom, Judge Callahan appreciates lawyers who are prepared for hearings and trial, and she cautions attorneys to conduct themselves politely and not to interrupt the judge and their opposing counsel. In her free time, Judge Callahan is an active volunteer. She especially enjoys participating as a cast member and assistant director of the “Bar None” production, an annual variety show sponsored by the Dallas Bar Association and Dallas Bar Foundation, benefiting Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Scholarships at SMU’s Dedman School of Law. The event also allows her to display her talents as an actress. Judge Callahan emphasized the amount of time and effort that goes into planning the event and how important the volunteers are to the ultimate production. Judge Callahan has also volunteered for Father’s for Equal Rights, The Family Place, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Altrusa International Inc. professional women’s service organization, and the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, and she was named a Parent of the Year by the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Association of Dallas.