BADC Celebrates D.C. Judges, Welcomes New President-Elect Higuchi at Judicial Reception
October 02, 2024
At its annual Judicial Reception on September 30, the Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC) welcomed Shirley Ann Higuchi as its president-elect for 2024–2025, the first Asian American to hold the position in the organization’s 153-year history.
The BADC also honored six District judges who have retired or are taking senior status: Jennifer M. Anderson, John M. Campbell, Anita Josey-Herring, Peter A. Krauthamer, and Hiram E. Puig-Lugo of D.C. Superior Court and Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
In her remarks, Higuchi said that the District stands out for having “the best judges ever,” applauding them for being “honest, hardworking, ethical, intelligent, and committed.”
“And you don’t see that everywhere. So, I think D.C. is an example, and I’m proud to be a part of that example,” added Higuchi, who served as D.C. Bar president in 2003–2004.
Earlier in the evening, BADC President Rawle Andrews Jr. said a society is only just when its judiciary is “independent, [at] full-tilt capacity, and able to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution and rule of law.”
Andrews touched upon the ongoing judicial vacancy problem in the D.C. Courts that continues to increase the caseloads of many sitting judges and to cause delays in court proceedings. Nevertheless, Andrews saluted the judges for their indefatigable commitment to justice.
“We can never say thank you too many times for knowing that you’re overworked and, in many instances, underappreciated,” Andrews said.
In her speech, Josey-Herring said her 27 years working in D.C. Superior Court as an associate judge, presiding judge of Family Court, and Superior Court’s first woman chief judge has been “a labor of love.”
“It’s hard to break that relationship,” said Josey-Herring, whose four-year term as chief judge ended on September 30. “But I’m moving on. I think there are so many fantastic judges on the court that you all will make it even better than it has ever been. And that gives me a great deal of solace.”
The event also welcomed 14 new judges: D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judges Meti Abebe, Melanie A. Acuña, Risa Berkower, Robert J. Hildum, and David Richter, as well as Associate Judges Tanya Jones Bosier, Danny Lam Nguyen, Adrienne J. Noti, Katherine E. Oler, Charles J. Willoughby Jr., and Judith Pipe; U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Loren L. AliKhan; U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge Robin M. Meriweather; and new Superior Court Chief Judge Milton C. Lee Jr.
Lee said one of the most comforting things he discovered going into his new role as chief judge was the “incredible amount of support” that he didn’t know he had. “That gives me the ability to feel good about the challenges that are coming,” Lee said.
“I know how hard you work during the course of the day. But I need you back at work tomorrow,” Lee said to the judges in attendance. “I look forward to working with each and every one of you over the next four years.”
