About MarQ

As a young child I grew up in a low-income single parent home where my mother struggled to maintain a steady household to raise three children. She worked extremely hard to provide us with our necessities even if that meant standing in lines to receive food and other living assistance. However, no matter how difficult life got for my mother, she never allowed it to defeat her. In my mother I saw a strong, determined, and hardworking black woman who was not afraid of the curve balls life threw her way. Standing here today it is those very same qualities I inherited from my mother that has pushed me through life giving me the attitude that I can conquer anything I set out to do.               

I am an Oklahoma City native relocated to Tarrant County in grade school. My Tarrant County ties runs deep. After relocating to Arlington, Texas I attended Morton Elementary, then Workman Junior High School. I am a proud high school alumnus of Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas. I went on to attend the University of Oklahoma, where I received my Bachelor of Art in Mathematics, Boomer Sooner! I worked in corporate America as a senior pension analyst for 6 years before going to law school. I received my Juris Doctorate from Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth, Texas. I, then, went to work as the 1st African America Assistant County Attorney in Hood County, Texas, before opening The Clayton Law Firm. Now, I am a criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth, Texas. I have been admitted to practice in the Northern and Eastern District Courts of the United States District Courts. I was named 2017 and 2021 Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine and have been admitted to the Texas Bar College.

 I am a proud mother to Ariana Lynn (19) and Joshua Cayden (9). I became pregnant with Ariana in my second year of undergrad. I saw this as another curve ball that life threw my way to build my discipline.  Balancing coursework, a job, and a baby could be defeating. Nonetheless, I was able to work, care for Ariana, and finish school in the 4 years required for my Mathematics degree. Similarly, I became pregnant with Joshua in my second year of law school. Let’s just say I will likely not be going to school for any other degrees. LOL. This was a great challenge as I was also tasked with preparing for and taking the Texas bar as Joshua turned 1. Again, my determination and hard work pushed me through it all.  As a mother I am faced with the typical ups and downs that comes with being a parent. In raising my children, I have learned the true meaning of patience, compassion, and determination.                

I also contribute much of my time to the community through my founded nonprofit, Girl2Girl Foundation, where I serve as the Executive Director. I serve on the board of the L. Clifford Davis Legal Association in Tarrant County where we serve the Tarrant County community with various legal clinics and seminars. I am the Tarrant County Expunction Clinic Chair where we provide pro bono expunction and nondisclosure services for individuals who otherwise would not have been able to afford it. I co-organized the Tarrant County Lawyers Against Injustice, who provided pro bono services to several protestors who were unlawfully arrested. I am also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Xi Theta Omega chapter in Arlington, Texas, where I serve on the Executive Committee as Treasurer and as captain of the Global Impact Committee. I also serve in other community-engaged organizations in and around the DFW metroplex. I have a strong desire to serve and help others. I am humanity-driven, fair, and trustworthy. I will apply these same principals to my commitment on the bench.              

Throughout my life I have been thrown several curve balls and each one I have taken by storm. I am a strong black woman who is not afraid of the curveball’s life throws my way. I have proved to possess the skills necessary to successfully carry out the duties of Judge for Tarrant County Criminal District Court 2.