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 left 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 and developed a passion for trial advocacy. She also embraced opportunities beyond the classroom, including studying abroad in Buenos Aires through one of AU Law’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 drafting briefs, presenting legal arguments, or preparing judicial opinions, strong writing remains a fundamental skill for lawyers.

Scott also credits AU Law 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 often 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 often 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. She recalled meeting an aspiring law student at an Apple store and inviting her to visit chambers and learn more about the profession. These encounters and subsequent meetings happen frequently. Mentorship, she believes, is essential. 

She encourages law students to immerse themselves in the fields that interest them, through internships, court observations, or networking. She also stresses the importance of building genuine professional relationships early in their careers.

“Relationships are very important,” she said. “People have to know who you are.”

She also advises students to be mindful of their digital presence.

“One of the first things many judges and employers will do is Google you,” Scott noted. “If you want to be in a position of public trust, you have to be thoughtful about how you present yourself.”

Finally, she encourages students to pursue excellence in everything they do, from legal writing to professional communication.

“Your presentation should never contradict your purpose,” she said.

Scott’s path to the bench was not without hardship. She was sworn in as a magistrate judge in January 2020, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the legal system and daily life.

Shortly afterward, she experienced two profound personal losses: her father died from COVID-19 in May 2020, and her grandmother passed away only a few months later.

“It was the best and the worst period of my life,” she said.

Yet Scott persevered, continuing her work on the bench while navigating grief and unprecedented changes in the courts. Today, she often reflects on a Maya Angelou line that resonates deeply with her journey: “I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.” For Scott, the quote is a reminder that no achievement is accomplished alone. Behind every milestone stand family members, mentors, colleagues, and communities who helped make the journey possible.

Although Scott achieved the goal she set for herself years ago by becoming a judge, she says her work is far from finished. She hopes to continue mentoring young lawyers, serving the District community, and growing in her role on the bench.

“My plan,” she said, “is to go as high as I can, because I know I can continue serving the people of this city in deeper ways.”

For Scott, the mission remains clear. Serve with integrity. Support the next generation of lawyers. Honor the institutions that make justice possible.

And in doing so, she continues the calling that began long ago, when a young girl gathered her cousins, declared order in the room, and imagined the courtroom she would one day lead.