Superior Court Welcomes Two New Magistrate Judges
August 13, 2024
Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring swore in two new magistrate judges, Meti Abebe and David Richter, on August 12 inside her chambers at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Abebe made history by becoming the first Ethiopian American judge on the court. Asked to share her thoughts on breaking a proverbial glass ceiling, Abebe said she felt “very honored and privileged to be the first.”
“When [the chief judge] mentioned it, I said, ‘Wow! This is a big deal,’” Abebe said. “Over the years of just coming to the courts, I’ve noticed that there is a huge community of Ethiopian Americans who live in the area and utilize this court. So, in some regards, I thought [becoming a judge] might be important because it makes a difference for people to see people who might understand where they come from. But it doesn’t [necessarily] mean I’m going to make different decisions.”
Before becoming a magistrate judge, Abebe worked 16 years as the managing attorney of her own firm, The Law Office of Meti Abebe, LLC, where she focused on immigration and child abuse and neglect cases. At Superior Court, she will work in the Family Court.
Abebe describes herself as very compassionate, and she wants people who come into her courtroom to know that she will “listen to them regardless of whatever circumstances they come from.”
“I’ve dealt with different people who have been through so many kinds of crisis. I’ve dealt with people whose family has been torn apart, people who are new immigrants and are trying to find their way. I just want people to know that I’ll be there to listen and make sure that I’ll do the right thing.”
Richter also led his own D.C. practice before becoming a magistrate judge. He worked as a solo attorney for 12 years defending low-income individuals in criminal cases and one year as a senior attorney advisor for the Criminal Code Reform Commission. Reflecting on his appointment, Richter said the journey to the bench has been a “whirlwind” and “a long road.”
Richter said that he first applied for a magistrate judge position five years ago, then multiple times since. “I’m glad that I continued trying because it has finally paid off after many attempts,” he said.
Serving the D.C. community inspired Richter to become a judge. “I grew up in Washington, D.C.; my family is here. My children are in public schools. This is my home. And I think [being a magistrate judge] is a position where I can serve my community in a very meaningful way,” he said.
Richter will work in Superior Court’s Civil Division. When asked what D.C. residents can expect from him as a judge, he responded, “patience, fairness, and someone who will come to the court prepared every day ready to work.”
