Judge Milton C. Lee, Jr. has been designated as the new Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, effective October 1, 2024. The Judicial Nomination Commission selected him after a comprehensive evaluation that included background checks, interviews, and public feedback, surpassing Judge Marisa J. Demeo.
As Judge Lee comes in, the Commission has extended its gratitude to the outgoing Chief Judge Anita M. Josey-Herring for her exemplary service. Under her leadership, the Superior Court navigated the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, including the transition to hybrid hearings and trials, and embraced technological advancements and creative scheduling methods to enhance court operations.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has also thanked her while congratulating Judge Lee. “I congratulate Judge Milton C. Lee Jr. on being selected as Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Judge Lee’s extensive experience and dedication to public service will be an asset to the Court and his leadership will be instrumental in addressing issues to ensure justice. I look forward to working with Judge Lee, and at the same time, I urge the Senate to approve the nominations before them so that we can finally fill Court vacancies.
“I also want to thank outgoing Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring for her years of dedicated service and leadership. She led the Court through many challenges, including the pandemic. The Superior Court has benefited from her leadership, and I wish her well,” she added.
A native of Washington, D.C., Judge Lee graduated from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and has dedicated nearly 27 years to serving the District. His career began with the Public Defender Service, followed by his appointment as a Hearing Commissioner in the Superior Court in November 1997.
In 2002, the Hearing Commissioner role was reclassified as Magistrate Judge via the Family Court Act. He served as the Presiding Magistrate Judge until President Barack Obama appointed him an Associate Judge in 2010. Over his nearly twenty-seven years with the Superior Court, Judge Lee has worked in the Family, Civil, and Criminal Divisions.
Throughout his tenure, Judge Lee has shown outstanding leadership. He has served as both the Presiding and Deputy Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division and has been involved in various judicial administration committees and leadership teams. Notably, Judge Lee led the development of the Superior Court’s Fathering Court Initiative, which has received national recognition for its innovative approach to family reunification.
Judge Lee has shown exemplary leadership throughout his tenure, including as Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division. He is recognized for his innovative initiatives, such as the nationally acclaimed Fathering Court, which focuses on family reunification.
