Members of the bar, bench and public are hereby notified that upon the expiration of the Chief Judge’s term, or his or her resignation or retirement, the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission (“Commission”) is charged with the responsibility of designating the Chief Judge from among the judges of the Court in regular, active service.

The four-year term of the Honorable Eric T. Washington as Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals will expire effective August 5, 2009. Chief Judge Washington is eligible for redesignation as Chief Judge and has notified the Commission of his interest in being redesignated.

All judges in regular, active service on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals are eligible to apply for appointment to the position of Chief Judge for a four-year term, and may do so by submitting a statement of interest to the Commission. In addition, any individual, organization, or bar association may nominate an active judge for the position of Chief Judge, but must first obtain the judge’s consent. 

All statements of interest and nominations shall be in writing and address the following factors, as well as any additional qualifications relevant to the office of Chief Judge: the candidate’s (a) interest in court administration; (b) administrative and management ability and experience; (c) ability to lead the Court and to promote a sense of cooperation and collegiality among the judges, the Court staff and other governmental and non-governmental entities; (d) ability to promote confidence in the Court and the judicial system; and (e) ability to provide intellectual leadership. The Commission has requested that Chief Judge Washington submit a statement of interest in redesignation that addresses his achievements over the past four years and his vision for the future. 

All statements of interest and nominations shall be mailed to the Executive Director, DC Judicial Nomination Commission, 515 5th Street, NW, Suite 235, Washington, DC, 20001, and received no later than June 30, 2009. In addition, all statements of interest and nominations shall be sent electronically in PDF format to [email protected] by June 30, 2009.

Subsequent to June 30, 2009, the Commission will announce the names of all candidates in a press release and post all statements of interest on its website at jnc.dc.gov. The public will be invited to comment on the fitness of the candidates for the position of Chief Judge.

Information received by the Commission, as well as the Commission’s files and proceedings are privileged and confidential.