The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr., Designated Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission ("Commission") has designated the Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. to serve as Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ("Superior Court"). Judge Lee will assume the office on October 1, 2024.

The Commission considered two highly qualified candidates for the position of Chief Judge: the Honorable Marisa J. Demeo and the Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. Each candidate has served the Superior Court with distinction and brings a wealth of experience and commitment to the Superior Court. The Superior Court and the residents of the District of Columbia are fortunate that such talented and committed individuals were willing to take on the additional duties and responsibilities of Chief Judge.

In making this designation, the Commission carefully considered the results of each candidate's background investigation, interviews, public comments, and statement of interest. The Commission also took into consideration each candidate's experience, qualifications, judicial temperament, interest and experience in Court administration, ethics, commitment to diversity, leadership skills, ability to advocate for and promote confidence in the judicial system, intellectual leadership, and vision for the Superior Court, including plans for addressing the unique challenges facing the Court in the coming years.

The Commission invited public comment on each candidate, and it is pleased to note that it received more than 300 letters, evaluations, and calls from a diverse group of individuals and organizations. The Commission expresses its sincere appreciation to all those who took the time to submit the many thoughtful and insightful comments received.

Judge Lee has devoted his legal career to serving the citizens of the District of Columbia. He is a native of the District of Columbia. Judge Lee obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. Following law school, he joined the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia as a staff attorney, representing indigent persons in the Family, Misdemeanor, and Felony Divisions of the Superior Court. He also argued a number of cases before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

Judge Lee joined the Superior Court as a Hearing Commissioner in November 1997. The position of Hearing Commissioner was redesignated as Magistrate Judge in 2002 with the passage of the Family Court Act. Judge Lee served as the Presiding Magistrate Judge from 2006 until President Barack Obama appointed him to serve as an Associate Judge in 2010. Since joining the Superior Court nearly twenty-seven years ago, Judge Lee has served in the Family, Civil, and Criminal Divisions.

Judge Lee has demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities throughout his tenure at the Superior Court. He has served as the Presiding and Deputy Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division. Judge Lee served on the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration and the Superior Court's Judicial Leadership Team. He has also led numerous initiatives to improve the quality of justice and service to litigants and attorneys alike. For instance, he is credited with spearheading the development of the Superior Court's Fathering Court. The initiative represented a partnership between the Court, several governmental agencies, and the private sector that was directed toward creating opportunities for noncustodial parents to become meaningful contributors to the development of their children. The Fathering Court Initiative garnered national recognition for its innovative problem-solving approach to reuniting families.

The Commission sincerely thanks Chief Judge Anita M. Josey-Herring for her outstanding service during her term as the Chief Judge of the Superior Court. Among her many accomplishments, Chief Judge Josey-Herring successfully led the Court through the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, including reopening after a year to in-person and virtual hearings and in-person trials. Under her leadership, the Superior Court reimagined operations by incorporating technological advancements and adopting creative calendaring processes in high-volume courts.

Questions concerning the application process for these judicial vacancies shall be directed to the Commission at (202) 879-0478 or [email protected].

Members of the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission

The Honorable Marie C. Johns
PPC-Leftwich
1400 K Street, NW
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005-2403
(202) 434-9124
[email protected]

Benjamin F. Wilson, Esq.
7825 Orchid Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 657-2534
[email protected]

Addy R. Schmitt, Esq.
Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler LLP
1775 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 650
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 617-5791
[email protected]

Vincent H. Cohen, Jr., Esq.
Dechert LLP
1900 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006-1110
(202) 261-3432
[email protected]

Yaida O. Ford, Esq.
Ford Law Pros P.C.
1001 L Street, SE
Washington, DC, 20003
(202) 792-4946
[email protected]

The Honorable Linda W. Cropp
4001 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 726-0505
[email protected]

The Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan
United States District Court
for the District of Columbia
United States Courthouse
333 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 354-3390
[email protected]

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