Judge Bonnie Hellums, career has been based on helping people better their lives from the beginning. She became a certified alcohol and drug counselor and worked in prevention by helping children who were exposed to drugs and alcohol in utero. After 18 years in the university setting, she earned a law degree and practiced family law for 10 years. She ran for family court judge and served for 20 years (1994 - 2014) in the 247th District Family Court before retiring.

As the Family Court judge she was able to assist parents in understanding how their actions impact their young children. Judge Hellums started the first (and only) Family Drug Court in Harris County and incorporated the Infants and Toddlers Court as well. This was established because Judge Hellums realized the damage being done to families and children because of substance use/abuse. The Family Drug Court works to keep families together while parents seek treatment for substance abuse in an effort to minimize the impact on young children in the family.

Judge Hellums has been an advocate for infants and toddlers for more than 25 years and continues to do so in her retirement. She is most proud of the work she has done in coordination with the child welfare system and the Infants and Toddlers Court to help young children have a safe environment while experiencing family transitions. She served on the Supreme Court's Permanent Judicial Commission on  Children Youth and Families for 8 years. She is trained in Trauma Informed Care and is designated as one of nine to serve on the Texas Department of Family Protective Services Advisory Board.  Beginning in September she will serve as a visiting judge for the Child Protective Court in Harris County until December.