Meet MarQ

MarQuetta Clayton is a mother, attorney, community leader, and woman of faith who has dedicated her life to serving others and standing for justice with integrity and compassion. Her journey from a childhood shaped by struggle to a career defined by service reflects the belief that God equips ordinary people to do extraordinary work.

Raised in a low-income, single-parent home, MarQuetta witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by families who work tirelessly yet still fall short of security. Her mother’s strength, faith, and perseverance instilled in her the values that continue to guide her today: hard work, humility, a heart for service, and a deep belief in fairness. These early experiences gave MarQuetta a unique understanding of the everyday people who come before the court and the responsibility a judge carries in their lives.

A proud product of Tarrant County, MarQuetta attended Arlington ISD schools before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Oklahoma and her Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University School of Law. She completed both degrees while raising her children; an accomplishment that strengthened her resilience and taught her the true meaning of discipline, sacrifice, and grace.

Professionally, MarQuetta brings unmatched breadth and depth to the bench. She has served her community as a criminal defense attorney, prosecutor, family law attorney, and the first African American Assistant County Attorney in Hood County. She is the founder of The Clayton Law Firm, a Top Attorney honoree in Fort Worth Magazine, a member of the Texas Bar College, and a recipient of the Texas A&M School of Law Community Impact Award.

Her diverse experience gives her a 360-degree understanding of the justice system, how cases move, where delays occur, the consequences of inefficiency, and the human impact behind every file. She has represented victims, families, and the accused; she has seen brokenness and redemption; and she understands that justice requires both accountability and empathy.

Guided by her Christian faith, MarQuetta believes every person is created with value and deserves dignity and fairness before the law. She also believes in firm, principled decision-making, holding individuals accountable when necessary while recognizing the power of rehabilitation and second chances. Her approach is fair, firm, consistent, and grounded in truth.

MarQuetta’s commitment extends beyond the courtroom. She serves as the Executive Director of the Girl2Girl Foundation, has chaired the Tarrant County Expunction Clinic, co-organized Lawyers Against Injustice, and has served in leadership roles within the L. Clifford Davis Legal Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Her service reflects her calling to uplift the community she loves.

Now, she is running for Judge of Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 1 to restore trust, improve efficiency, and ensure justice is administered with wisdom, compassion, and integrity. She is committed to reducing case backlogs, protecting resources, supporting effective rehabilitation programs, and bringing a balanced, principled judicial perspective to the bench.

With experience, faith, humility, and strength, MarQuetta A. Clayton is ready to serve Tarrant County with fairness, firmness, and a heart for justice.