Attorney
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P. attorney, William P. Lightfoot, is a member of the seven-person Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, which monitors the actions and conduct of D.C. Superior Court and Court of Appeals judges. The commission is a voice for those who have come before judges and feel they were treated unethically or unprofessionally.
According to a recent article in The Washington Post, the committee reprimanded a D.C. judge publicly in November after receiving multiple complaints. The committee stated that D.C. Superior Court Judge Natalia Combs Greene was “oftentimes less than courteous, and on occasion even rude and intimidating.”
“We believe that citizens of the District have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. That’s what they deserve,” Hank Schuelke, the commission’s special counsel, told The Washington Post.
Last year, the commission received approximately 60 complaints about issues ranging from inappropriate temperament and demeanor to abuse. The commission does not review a judge’s rulings, but if a judge has a history of being late to the bench, making questionable comments or failing to understand changes in the law, the commission may raise concerns.
The board examines confidential complaints filed on its website or directly with the board.
The commission encourages anyone with concerns about judges to contact them through their website, or by calling 202-727-1363.
As Mr. Lightfoot explains in the video above, at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P., our injury lawyers adhere to high professional and ethical standards. Our attorneys hold positions of leadership in many legal organizations and often teach law to lawyers.
Our firm’s 30-year legacy of excellence motivates every lawyer to give personal attention to each client. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, speak to one of our attorneys today so we can assist you in recovering compensation. You can also visit our Facebook page.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys
Did You Know: The D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure is the only one nationwide that oversees judges in one city; throughout the rest of the U.S., boards like this operate on a statewide level.