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Judge Sheva M. Sims

Judge Sheva M. Sims, a life-long resident of Shreveport, Louisiana, was elected Judge on November 19, 2011, for Shreveport City Court, Division D.  Judge Sims was re-elected to the Shreveport City Court bench in November 2014.  Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Sims was a practicing attorney for over 17 years, handling civil and criminal litigation, small claims, and domestic cases.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Dillard University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Southern University Law Center.  After graduating from Dillard University, Judge Sims worked as a high school mathematics teacher.  She has also served as a Minister of Music for various churches over the years throughout the State of Louisiana. She presently serves at two churches in Shreveport, LA.   Passionate about her mathematics skills and her desire to empower others with this knowledge, she regularly tutors individuals in mathematics in her spare time

Judge Sims is a member and/or past member of the following association & committees:

  • Advisory Council of the National Association for Court Management (2020)
  • American Judges Association
  • National Association of Women Judges, District 6 Director (2017-2019)
  • International Association of Women Judges
  • Louisiana Judicial Council, National Bar Association, Secretary (2017-2018)
  • The Harry V. Booth-Judge Henry A. Politz American Inn of Court (2018-2021)
  • Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society
  • YMCA, Board of Director President (2007-2008)
  • Judicial Council of the National Bar Association (Board member)
  • League of Women Voters
  • North Shreveport Business Association
  • Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • Louisiana Bar Foundation Education Committee (2018-2019 and 2019-2020)
    • Louisiana Bar Foundation Communication Committee (2017-2018)
    • Louisiana Bar Foundation Grant Committee (2016-2017)
    • Louisiana Bar Foundation Development Committee (2014-2015)
    • Community Action and Lawyers in Transition Committee (2011-2012 and 2012-2013)
    • House of Delegates

Judge Sims has received the following awards:

  • Service and Leadership Recognition by the Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards (2019)
  • The Power of Influence Woman of Inspiration Award (2018)
  • Judge Benjamin Jones Judges in the Classroom Award (2017)
  • HERA Award Nominee (2016)
  • SUSLA Upward Bound North Trio Achiever Award (2015)
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Award, Shreveport, LA (2014)
  • David Raines Community Center Seminar of Excellence Award (2014)
  • Crystal Gavel Award (2013)
  • Jesse N. Stone Pioneer Award (2013)
  • NAACP City of Shreveport (2013)
  • Women Motivating Women Award (2012)
  • Gospel Music Living Legend Award (2011)
  • SB Magazine Top Attorney (2009)
  • Leah Hipple McKay Memorial Award Outstanding Volunteer (2009)

Since Judge Sims’ election to the bench, she made history by participating in the first Judicial Ride-Along Program at Shreveport City Court, a program the Louisiana Supreme Court launched to invite members of the Louisiana Legislature to spend a half-day “on the bench” with judges.  Judge Sims is the first judge in Shreveport to convene neighborhood informational seminars entitled “Know Your Legal Rights,” in an effort to educate and inform members of the community of their legal rights. Judge Sims has spoken to thousands of citizens on numerous occasions relative to the same.

Because of Judge Sims’ unwavering focus to improve the community’s understanding of the judicial system, she has been nationally and locally recognized for her public service efforts. While serving as the National Association of Women Judges (2017-2019), Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson selected Judge Sims to spearhead the Women in Prison Initiative in north Louisiana.  While serving as the District 6 Director of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) from 2017-2019, Judge Sims was responsible for implementing the historic cosmetology program at the Louisiana Transitional Center for Women in Tallulah (LTCW), LA.  She also collaborated with the Southern University of Shreveport and Bossier Parish Community College to initiate skills and educational reentry programs for incarcerated women at the Louisiana Transitional Center for Women in Tallulah and the Caddo Correctional Center (CCC) in Shreveport.  Judge Sims has inspired other community organizations and businesses to assist with the collection of books, toiletries and dental hygiene products in support of the Women in Prison Initiative.  To date, over sixty (60) boxes of books, toiletries and dental hygiene products have been donated to the women incarcerated at the Louisiana Transitional Center for Women.

Judge Sims has been a frequent speaker throughout Shreveport at various schools for graduations, honor convocations and events such as the Judges/Lawyers in the Classroom, a program implemented by The Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education (LCLCE). In 2012, Judge Sims was selected by the Louisiana Supreme Court to participate in the Louisiana Judicial Leadership Institute, a program designed to recognize and train future leaders in the judiciary.  In 2015, Judge Sims’ portrait was added to the Southern University Law Center’s “Wall of Fame” for her level of excellence and outstanding achievements in the legal profession

Judge Sims is the daughter of the late Dr. Howard Sims, Jr. and Mrs. Eva L. Sims.  Her siblings are Dr. Sharon D. Sims (Nia) and Ms. Shunta E. Sims.  She is the proud mother of two wonderful daughters, Taylor and K.C.