Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Phyllis Thompson
Phyllis Thompson was a judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. She assumed office in 2006. She left office on September 4, 2021.
Thompson became a member of the court by appointment. She was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006.[1] To read more about judicial selection in D.C., click here.
Biography
Thompson was born in Washington, D.C. She received a B.A. in anthropology from The George Washington University in 1974 and was valedictorian of her class. She received a master's degree in religion from Princeton University in 1976 and a J.D., Order of the Coif, from the National Law Center of The George Washington University in 1981.[1]
Between law school and her D.C. Court of Appeals appointment in 2006, Thompson was an attorney at Covington & Burling, becoming the first female African-American partner of the firm in 1989. From 1998 to 2004, she served on the D.C. Bar Board of Governors. Thompson also served on the Council for Court Excellence board of directors and co-chaired the D.C. Bar Public Service Activities Corporation Landlord-Tenant Task Force.[1]
State supreme court judicial selection in Washington, D.C.
- See also: Judicial selection in Washington, D.C.
The nine judges on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals are selected through the assisted appointment method. The District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission (JNC) releases a notice of judicial vacancy, and interested individuals submit application materials to the commission. The JNC is composed of seven members, each serving six-year terms, except the member appointed by the President who serves a five-year term. The commission evaluates applicants and may choose to conduct interviews or solicit feedback from the public.[2] Three individuals are recommended to the President of the United States by the commission for each vacancy. The President names an appointee from that list who then, like federal judges, must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.[2]
Judges serve for 15 years after their appointment. Eligibility for reappointment is determined by the District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure. The commission solicits feedback on and evaluates judges interested in another term. If a judge is found to be "well qualified," he or she is automatically reappointed. "Qualified" judges may be reappointed and go through the same process as a first-time nominee. If the President chooses to not reappoint a judge, or if the commission determines that a judge is "unqualified," the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission starts a new search.[3]
Qualifications
To serve on the court of appeals, a judge must be:
- a U.S. citizen;
- a D.C. area resident for at least five years prior to his or her appointment;
- an active member of the D.C. bar for at least 5 years, or a professor at a D.C. law school, or an attorney employed by the U.S. or D.C. government; and
- under the age of 74 (retirement at 74 is mandatory).[3][4]
Selection of the chief judge
The chief judge of the court is designated by the judicial nominating commission. He or she serves in that capacity for four years.[3]
Vacancies
When a vacancy occurs, the President of the United States appoints a successor from a list of names provided by a nominating commission. The appointment requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate. The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 District of Columbia Courts, "THE HONORABLE PHYLLIS D. THOMPSON," accessed July 27, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The District of Columbia, "Judicial Nomination Commission: Frequently Asked Questions," accessed September 15, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 American Judicature Society, "Judicial selection in Washington, D.C.," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Judges must retire from active service at 74. They may apply for appointment as a senior judge after age 74.
