Pursuant to DC Code § 1-204.33(b), no person may be nominated or appointed a judge of a District of Columbia court unless the person— 

• is a citizen of the United States;
• is an active member of the unified District of Columbia Bar and has been engaged in the active practice of law in the District for the five years immediately preceding the nomination or for such five years has been on the faculty of a law school in the District, or has been employed as a lawyer by the United States or the District of Columbia government;
• is a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia and has maintained an actual place of abode in the District of Columbia for at least 90 days immediately prior to the nomination, and shall retain such residency while serving as such judge;
• is recommended to the President, for such nomination and appointment, by the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission; and
• has not served, within a period of two years prior to the nomination, as a member of the Tenure Commission or the Judicial Nomination Commission.

The Judicial Nomination Commission will only consider applications of individuals who fully meet the qualifications. All applicants must undergo a background investigation.

The Judicial Nomination Commission was created pursuant to Section 434 of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganizational Act, Public Law 93-198 (December 24, 1973).