With over 25 years of experience in juvenile and family law, she brings compassion, accountability, and strong community partnerships to the bench. Judge Diane Warren is a family law judge who is transforming how juvenile and family court serves the people of Washington and Madison Counties. Elected in 2020 to lead the newly created Eighth Division of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, she went to work
immediately building the court from the ground up. Today, she runs a courtroom that is responsive, compassionate, and where everyone is held accountable. Judge Warren leads a team of juvenile officers and staff dedicated to helping families stabilize and succeed. She has established partnerships with organizations such as 4-H, the University of Arkansas’s Service-Learning Initiative, Potter’s House, and art therapy providers to bring meaningful support into the courtroom. She sets clear expectations and moves cases through court efficiently, so children and families obtain closure. With more than 25 years of experience in juvenile and family law, Judge Warren knows the issues from every angle. As an attorney for children in foster care for 15 years, she visited homes, treatment centers, and schools to understand the needs of the families she represented. As a judge, she brings that same hands-on approach, making decisions informed by experience and understanding how her rulings will impact families and often the community. Judge Warren implements restorative justice approaches such as victim offender mediation and family group conferencing to resolve issues before they escalate. She partners with schools, mental health providers, and community organizations to keep youth out of the system and families on track. Judge Warren earned her undergraduate degree from Colorado State University and her law degree from Indiana University. She has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education focused on child development, family dynamics, trauma, and public benefits. She chaired the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Section of the Arkansas Bar Association and worked on updating the Domestic Relations Handbook to help improve legal practice statewide. In addition to her work on the bench, Judge Warren has a long record of community service. She previously served on the boards of the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home for Children, the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation, and the Fayetteville Area Community Foundation. She currently serves as an elder at First United Presbyterian Church, is a member of Rotary International, and serves on several committees of the Judicial Council. She and her husband Ron raised their two sons in Washington County, where they remain deeply rooted. As a judge, a mother, and a community leader, Diane Warren is acting every day to strengthen families and build a safer, more supportive community for all.
