This is to notify members of the bar and the general public that the Commission has begun inquiries into the qualifications of Judge Vanessa Ruiz of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals who is a declared candidate for reappointment as an Associate Judge upon the expiration of her term on October 10, 2009.

 Under the provisions of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, P.L. 93-198, 87 Stat. 796 (1973), §443(c) as amended by the District of Columbia Judicial Efficiency and Improvement Act, P.L. 99-573, 100 Stat. 3233, §12(1) provides in part as follows:

"…If a declaration (of candidacy) is so filed, the Tenure Commission shall, not less than sixty days prior to the expiration of the declaring candidate's term of office, prepare and submit to the President a written evaluation of the declaring candidate's performance during his present term of office and his fitness for reappointment to another term.  If the Tenure Commission determines the declaring candidate to be well qualified for reappointment to another term, then the term of such declaring candidate shall be automatically extended for another full term, subject to mandatory retirement, suspension, or removal.  If the Tenure Commission determines the declaring candidate to be qualified for reappointment to another term, then the President may nominate such candidate, in which case the President shall submit to the Senate for advice and consent the renomination of the declaring candidate as judge. If the President determines not to so nominate such declaring candidate, he shall nominate another candidate for such position only in accordance with the provisions of subsections (a) and (b).  If the Tenure Commission determines the declaring candidate to be unqualified for reappointment to another term, then the President shall not submit to the Senate for advice and consent the nomination of the declaring candidate as judge and such judge shall not be eligible for reappointment or appointment as a judge of a District of Columbia court."

The Commission also is reviewing the qualifications of Judge James A. Belson of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals who has requested a recommendation for reappointment as a Senior Judge upon the expiration of his term on July 24, 2009.  The Commission must submit its report and recommendation concerning Judge Belson’s fitness for continued judicial service to Chief Judge Eric T. Washington prior to July 24.

The Commission hereby requests members of the bar, litigants, interested organizations, and members of the public to submit any information bearing on the qualifications of Judges Ruiz and Belson which it is believed will aid the Commission.  The cooperation of the community at an early stage will greatly aid the Commission in fulfilling its responsibilities.  The identity of any person submitting material shall be kept confidential unless expressly authorized by the person submitting the information.

 All communications shall be mailed or delivered by June 30, 2009, and addressed to:

  District of Columbia Commission on Judicial
  Disabilities and Tenure
  Building A, Room 246
  515 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  20001
  Telephone: (202) 727-1363
  Fax: (202) 727-9718

 The members of the Commission are:

  William P. Lightfoot, Esq., Chairperson
  Hon. Gladys Kessler, Vice Chairperson
  Gary C. Dennis, M.D.
  Noel J. Francisco, Esq.
  Shirley A. Higuchi, Esq.
  Ronald Richardson
  Claudia A. Withers, Esq.