DOVER — Today, Governor Matt Meyer announced the nomination of Commissioner Candace E. Holmes to serve as a Judge on Kent County Family Court. 

“Commissioner Holmes brings with her deep experience in family law and a strong commitment to Delaware’s children and families,” said Governor Meyer. “Her record reflects a thoughtful, steady approach to some of the most complex and sensitive cases before our courts. She understands the real impact these decisions have on Delaware families and approaches the work with care and integrity.” 

Previously, Commissioner Holmes worked as a family law attorney and as a Deputy Attorney General representing the Division of Family Services in critical child welfare cases. She earned her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware. 

Commissioner Holmes currently serves as a Family Court Commissioner in Kent County, where she hears a broad range of cases including child support, misdemeanor crimes and youth delinquency, civil protection orders, and bail hearings. If confirmed, she would make history as the first person of color to serve as a Judge on the Kent County Family Court. 

ABOUT THE NOMINEE 

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Commissioner Candace E. Holmes has built a distinguished career focused on family law and public service in Delaware. She was admitted to the Delaware State Bar in 2016 and began her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Felice G. Kerr and the Honorable Natalie J. Haskins, deepening her expertise in the field early on.  Commissioner Holmes then entered private practice, in 2017, with Schmittinger and Rodriguez. Three years later she joined the Delaware Department of Justice as a Deputy Attorney General, where her work focused on representing the Division of Family Services in cases involving dependent, neglected, and/or abused children. 

In 2023, Commissioner Holmes returned to Schmittinger and Rodriguez to pursue her passion for family law, advocating for clients in sensitive domestic matters including divorce, property division, alimony, child custody, child support, third-party visitation, and guardianship.    

She currently serves as a Commissioner in Kent County Family Court, where she hears a broad range of cases including child support, misdemeanor crimes and youth delinquency, civil protection orders, and bail hearings.  She earned her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware. She has been an active leader in the legal community, including service with the Delaware State Bar Association, Kent County Bar Association and Terry-Carey American Inn of Court. 

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