Milton Lee Wins Appointment as D.C.'s Chief Judge

WASHINGTON -- Milton C. Lee Jr. won an appointment last week to become District of Columbia Superior Court’s newest chief judge.

Lee started as a magistrate in 1998 before a 2010 Obama administration appointment as a judge. He was the court’s presiding judge from 2018 to 2019.

He faces recurring challenges such as vacancies of judgeships that have left the court with a backlog of cases and a shortage of private contract attorneys to represent indigent criminal defendants.

Lee, 64, has handled civil, criminal and family court issues. He is a graduate of Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and a former public defender. He will take over as chief judge on Oct. 1.

He is replacing Anita Josey-Herring, who announced this spring she would not seek a second four-year term.

Lee was chosen by the seven-person Judicial Nomination Commission over Judge Marisa J. Demeo, a former federal prosecutor. The commission is composed of attorneys and D.C. residents.

The commission said in a statement that it “took into consideration each candidate’s experience, qualifications, judicial temperament, interest and experience in Court administration…”

Lee distinguished himself by developing a diversion program for teenage offenders. He also led creation of the “Fathering Court” that trains young men to become better fathers and family members, particularly following incarceration.

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