The Washington Bar Association (WBA) plays an active role in advancing members of the Washington DC legal community by endorsing candidates for important legal positions, such as the bench and NBA bar leadership positions. All candidate endorsement requests are considered by the WBA Judicial Selection and Evaluation Committee. Under our By-laws, the Judicial Selection and Evaluation Committee shall be appointed by the President. This Committee shall advise the Membership of judicial vacancies in the courts of the District of Columbia and, submit to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors the names of persons to be recommended for appointment to such judicial office. The Judicial Selection and Evaluation Committee shall from time to time survey the Membership or otherwise identify members of the Association for appointive office. The Judicial Selection and Evaluation Committee shall also have responsibility for other matters pertaining to the Judiciary, including but not limited to, the evaluation of judicial performance.

If you are interested in securing an endorsement from the WBA, please contact the Judicial Selection and Evaluation Committee Chair Natalie Walker at nwalker@websterfredrickson.com.

Washington Bar Association Guidelines for Endorsement of Applicants for Judicial Appointment & Appointive Office

The Judicial Selection and Evaluation Committee of the Washington Bar Association submits recommendations to the Board of Directors of the WBA for the Association’s endorsement of applicants for judicial appointment and appointive office in accordance with the following guidelines and procedures.

In keeping with the philosophy of Houstonian Jurisprudence, the stated goal of the Committee is to identify qualified applicants with a demonstrated commitment to equal justice under the law. Prior to recommending the endorsement of an applicant, the Committee interviews the applicant and reviews background materials, writing samples and other pertinent information in an effort to determine the candidate’s fitness for judicial appointment or appointive office. Applicants are evaluated based upon the following factors, as appropriate:

  • Judicial temperament.

  • Professional skills and abilities.

  • Adherence to ethical standards and exercise of sound professional judgment.

  • Demonstrated commitment to fundamental fairness and diversity.

  • Effective leadership and communication skills (oral & written).

  • Demonstrated efficiency and organizational skills in work performance and in working with others.

  • Demonstrated commitment to the public interest and community service.

Committee Chair
Natalie S. Walker
Webster & Fredrickson, PLLC

Natalie S. Walker is an equity partner at Webster & Fredrickson, PLLC. Ms. Walker specializes in bankruptcy, commercial litigation and real estate law. In the firm’s role as bankruptcy counsel, Ms. Walker actively represents debtors, creditors, and trustees in all aspects of the bankruptcy process.

Ms. Walker earned her J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law in May 2004. While in law school, Ms. Walker served as a law clerk at Brennwald & Robertson, LLP, working in the areas of criminal law and personal injury. She also worked as a teacher assistant at Northern Illinois University College of Law, and as a student attorney for the North Carolina Central University School of Law Civil Practice Clinic, focusing on personal injury and commercial litigation.

Following law school, Ms. Walker served as the judicial law clerk to the Honorable Erik P. Christian of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. During her clerkship, Ms. Walker obtained in-depth experience in criminal law and worked on both Felony I and Felony II calendars.

Prior to earning her B.S., cum laude, in Political Science from Howard University in 2001, Ms. Walker worked as an investigator at the D.C. Public Defender Service and as an intern at the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, focusing on race and sex discrimination.

LEADERSHIP

  • Washington Bar Association – President (June 2016 to 2018)
  • Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation – President (September 2014 to Present)
  • Council for Court Excellence – Executive Committee (June 2016 to Present)

BAR MEMBERSHIPS

  • District of Columbia Court of Appeals
  • United States District Court of Maryland
  • United States District Court of the District of Columbia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

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