JUDGE EBONY M. SCOTT ’06:


‘You Are Exactly Who You Think You Are — Never Let Anyone Tell You Otherwise’


BY KEITH PIERCE


Long before she ever wore a judicial robe, Judge Ebony M. Scott ’06 was already running her own courtroom.


At family gatherings, she would gather her cousins, insist everyone sit down, and stage some version of “court,” reading cards and commanding everyone’s attention.


“My family would say, ‘Who are you? Where did you come from?’” she recalled with a laugh. “‘And please just sit down and stop trying to control everything.’”


That early instinct never leſt her. Today, Scott serves as an associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, a role she has aspired to for much of her life.


“I’ve always wanted to be a judge,” she said. “I knew that the conduit was to be an attorney.”


Scott chose American University Washington College of Law with intention. She wanted to practice law in Washington, D.C., and saw the city as an ideal place to begin building her career.


Law school, she admits, was challenging, but when she reflects on the experience today, she uses a word that surprises even her.


“It was nurturing,” she said.


Scott remembers strong friendships, supportive faculty, and a collaborative environment that helped her grow as both a student and an aspiring advocate. She participated in moot court competitions


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and developed a passion for trial advocacy. She also embraced opportunities beyond the classroom, including studying abroad in Buenos Aires through one of AUWCL’s international programs. Looking back, she believes the law school provided exactly the environment she needed at that stage in her life.


“AUWCL really seems to emphasize writing,” Scott said. “And I see that now when I hire AUWCL law clerks and interns. They excel at writing.”


Clear, thoughtful legal writing, she explains, can make the difference in litigation and judicial decision-making alike. Whether draſting briefs, presenting legal arguments, or preparing judicial opinions, strong writing remains a fundamental skill for lawyers.


Scott also credits AUWCL for reinforcing another core value that has defined her career: public service. During law school, she participated in the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project and became deeply engaged in community-focused legal work.


“AUWCL really promotes public service,” she said. “It encourages students to either pursue careers in public service or to make it a meaningful part of their professional lives.”


Before joining the bench, Scott worked in several legal roles, including civil litigation, prosecution and general counsel work. Those varied experiences, she says, inform the way she approaches her work as a judge.


“Having been a lawyer handling litigation disputes and appearing in court gives you a different perspective,” she said. “You


understand what attorneys are facing because you’ve been there.”


Her early time on the bench as a magistrate judge also gave her insight into the everyday legal concerns facing District residents. Magistrate judges oſten preside over matters ranging from landlord-tenant disputes and small claims cases to preliminary criminal hearings.


“You really learn the temperature of the city,” she said. “You see what people are dealing with and what issues are most pressing.”


Scott now serves in Family Court, where the cases can be deeply personal and emotionally charged. Balancing empathy with legal responsibility, she says, is an ongoing process.


Family cases oſten involve intense conflict and complex circumstances. To remain grounded, Scott keeps her focus on the core priority of family court proceedings.


“Keep your eyes on the prize,” she said. “And the prize is the child.”


That perspective helps guide her decisions and maintain balance in a courtroom where emotions can run high. While the law ultimately guides the outcome, Scott believes empathy still has an important place in the process.


“When I have to deliver difficult decisions, I try to do so in an empathetic and understanding manner,” she said. “How you communicate matters.”


Scott remains deeply committed to mentoring young lawyers and students.


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