Danielle Edwards
Danielle Edwards is the Paralegal Coordinator and a Foreign-trained Lawyer at the Dallas City Hall, where she leads efforts to conduct research on legal matters. Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, she brings a thoughtful approach to handling legal matters, informed by her experience across litigation, contract law, business law and organizational management. Prior to joining Dallas City Hall, Danielle served as an Analyst at the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Accountability (ICA) at Caribbean Development Bank where she worked on law, accountability and development. She was able to establish a strong foundation in dispute resolution and environmental law. Her background also includes roles as an adjunct lecturer, consultant with the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) and environmental democracy intern, giving her a well-rounded perspective on legal operations across sectors. Danielle holds a Master of Laws (2014) from the American University Washington College of Law and a Bachelor's Degree in Law (2011) from the University of the West Indies, where her academic work focused on environmental law, international legal studies and peace & conflict negotiations. She also completed studies in the Hague Academy of International Law in 2016. She is actively engaged in the legal community, having served on the board of You R Queen, a non-profit for single moms in Dominica, as well as the American Bar Association. Passionate about charitable work, Danielle is also recognized for her volunteer work within the legal profession.
• Master of Laws
• American University Washington College of Law
• The University of the West Indies
• LLM Outstanding Research & Writing
• Dominica Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• You R Queen
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a genuine passion for the law, justice and development, paired with a lifelong commitment to learning. I am an avid reader, and dedicated wife. My knowledge has given me a strong foundation. My family and friends have supported me, which has allowed me to approach complex challenges with confidence and clarity.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never give up! from a fellow lawyer.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the industry to
- be resilient
- be confident
- stay focused
- try new things, such as a sport or musical instrument
- travel to keep in touch
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating male-dominated environments. At the same time, this presents a significant opportunity to bring diverse perspectives to the table, break barriers, and create more inclusive pathways for future generations.
Furthermore I take great pride in learning from male and female counterparts who are very experienced in my profession and working with both men and women often.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Maintaining a strong work-life balance is one of the values most important to me, both professionally and personally. I believe that taking care of myself and making time for life outside of work allows me to show up more focused, present, and effective in everything I do. I try spend time with my family and friends and learning to dance, hiking, exercising and traveling.