The District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission has selected Associate Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee as the next chief judge of the D.C. Superior Court.
Lee will assume office on Oct. 1, the commission said Friday. He will succeed Anita Josey-Herring in the position.
Lee was selected after a process that included a background investigation, interviews, public comments and his statement of interest. The commission also looked at his experience, qualifications, judicial temperament, interest and experience in court administration, ethics, commitment to diversity, leadership skills, ability to advocate for and promote confidence in the judicial system, intellectual leadership, and vision for the Superior Court.
Lee is a District native and holds a juris doctor degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. After law school, he joined the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia as a staff attorney.
Lee became a Superior Court hearing commissioner (magistrate) in November 1997. He served as the presiding magistrate judge from 2006 until President Barack Obama appointed him to serve as an associate judge in 2010.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser praised the selection of Lee.
“Judge Lee’s extensive experience and dedication to public service will be an asset to the court and his leadership will be instrumental in addressing issues to ensure justice,” the mayor said. “I look forward to working with Judge Lee, and at the same time, I urge the Senate to approve the nominations before them so that we can finally fill court vacancies.”