Magistrate Judge

Closing Date: 4th February, 2026

Description:

Summary:
One vacancy in the Office of the Magistrate Judges in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia is anticipated. The new Magistrate Judge will be appointed to serve four-year terms in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Duties:
The successful applicant for this position will be assigned to non-Family Court divisions of the Superior Court based on the needs of the Court at the time the position is filled. Magistrate judges assigned to non-Family Court divisions of the Superior Court will be responsible for, among things, presiding over hearings in the Criminal, Civil, Probate, Traffic, and/or Domestic Violence Divisions, including conducting certain non-jury trials. The current salary for this position is $199,654 per annum.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
An Advisory Merit Selection Panel (“Panel”) composed of lawyers and other members of the community has been established by the Court to assist the Board of Judges in identifying and recommending persons who are best qualified to fill the position of Magistrate Judge. The Committee on the Selection and Tenure of Magistrate Judges (“Committee”), comprised of Associate Judges of the Superior Court, will also recommend persons who are best qualified to serve as a Magistrate Judge. The Chief Judge shall consider all persons recommended by the Panel and the Committee and may consider other qualified applicants. After the closing date for submitting applications and completion of background investigations, the Chief Judge shall nominate and, with the approval of a majority of the sitting judges of the Court, appoint a new Magistrate Judge.

Qualifications:
To be qualified for appointment, an applicant must:

• be a citizen of the United States;
• be an active member in good standing of the unified District of Columbia Bar;
• for five (5) years immediately preceding appointment, have been engaged in the active practice of law in the District of Columbia, or on the faculty of a law school in the District of Columbia, or employed as a lawyer by the District of Columbia or United States Government, or any combination of the foregoing;
• be a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia and have maintained an actual place of abode in the District for at least ninety (90) days immediately prior to appointment and retain such residency during service as Magistrate Judge. C. Code 11-1732 (c)(3).
• be competent to perform the duties of the office and be of good moral character; and
• make formal application to the court for the position.

Additional Information:

• Application forms for the position may be obtained on DC Courts internet page at https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/committee-magistrate-judges.
• The application must be accompanied by the applicant's resume, a signed and notarized “Authorization to Release Information, tax form 14767 and a photograph, 2 x 2 inches in size, showing a full front view of the face. The entire application package (the application form, the tax form 14767, the Resume, the Authorization to Release Information, and photograph) must be submitted electronically on or before the close of business on February 4, 2026, to Judge Michael O'Keefe, Chair, Committee on the Selection and Tenure of Magistrate Judges @ MagistrateJudgeCommittee@dcsc.gov. Each of the above forms should be scanned as separate documents.
• The Committee does not require letters of recommendation, letters of support, or endorsements, but will accept them. Such letters must be received by the Committee via email to MagistrateJudgeCommittee@dcsc.gov by February 14, 2026.
• It is the policy and practice of the District of Columbia Courts to hire and promote employees based upon qualifications and merit only, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disabilities, national origin, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, or place of residence or business.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

• You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
• Interview by the Committee.
• You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents:
Complete the application.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply:
The entire application package (the application form, the tax form 14767, the Resume, the Authorization to Release Information, and photograph) must be submitted electronically on or before the close of business on February 4, 2026, to Judge Michael O'Keefe, Chair, Committee on the Selection and Tenure of Magistrate Judges @ MagistrateJudgeCommittee@dcsc.gov. Each of the above forms should be scanned as separate documents.

Agency Contact Information
G. Brandon
202-879-8159
Jobs@dcsc.gov
District of Columbia Courts
Moultrie Building
500 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
United States
Complete the application and apply. Application forms for the position may be obtained on DC Courts internet page at https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/committee-magistrate-judges.

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