Courts make four interim judgeship appointments

Four attorneys have been named to district court judgeships left unfilled after the end of the 2020 General Assembly session. Five district bench seats remain vacant, according to the Supreme Court’s administrative office.

Two of the appointments went to delegates. Del. Joe Lindsey, D-Norfolk, was appointed Nov. 10 to that city’s general district bench. He replaces Clark Daugherty, who retired earlier this year, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

Del. Chris Collins, R-Frederick County, resigned from the House in June to accept appointment as a general district judge in the 26^th District.

In Virginia Beach, the circuit judges appointed Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Vivian F. Henderson to the general district court, effective Dec. 1. Henderson was among three candidates “highly recommended” for the vacancy by the Virginia Beach Bar Association.

In the Roanoke Valley, circuit judges appointed Melissa Friedman to the juvenile and domestic relations bench. She fills the vacancy left when Judge Onzlee Ware was named to the circuit court. Friedman earned support from both Democrat and Republican legislators for the judgeship. Her appointment also is effective Dec. 1.

There are four unfilled general district judgeships, a Supreme Court spokesperson reported. One is in Richmond, another on the Eastern Shore and two are in the expansive 15^th District, which includes Fredericksburg. There is a vacancy on the JDR court in the district made up of Danville and Franklin and Pittsylvania counties.

Recess appointments to the district court bench last only 30 days into the next General Assembly session unless legislators act to appoint them to full terms. The 2021 session begins Jan. 13.