The Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure Announces the Appointments of Its Newest Commission Members

The District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure (CJDT) announces the appointments of its two newest Commission members.

On September 26, 2025, Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia formally appointed United States District Court Judge Loren L. AliKhan as the federal judiciary representative on the Commission following the resignation of the Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. Commissioner AliKhan brings a wealth of unique and specialized experience to the Commission and will be invaluable in supporting the Commission's mission of maintaining public confidence in an independent, impartial, fair, and qualified judiciary, and enforcing the high standards of conduct judges must adhere to both on and off the bench. Commissioner AliKhan was appointed to the District Court in December 2023, following her judicial service on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. She previously served as Solicitor General in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia and has handled nearly 3,000 cases in the District's federal and local courts. She received her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Bard College at Simon's Rock and her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center.

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the DC Council formally appointed Dr. Maria J.D. Velleca, PhD to replace Dr. Patrick G. Jackson, MD, FACS, who left the Commission on June 11, 2025, after almost two years of distinguished service during which he provided invaluable medical expertise to the Commission on a range of issues. Dr. Velleca's credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from Boston College, a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and an associate professorship at the Department of Neurobiology at Yale University. She has also served as a tenured professor and professor emerita at the Department of Biology at Georgetown University. In addition, Dr. Velleca has held various leadership positions, including Director of Georgetown University's Howard Hughes Medical Institute University Program, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Planning for Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences at the College of William and Mary. Among her most important responsibilities was recommending the granting of academic tenure and ensuring faculty performance throughout an academic career, processes similar to judicial appointments. Her many awards and accolades include the College Dean's Academic Council Award for Faculty Excellence, awarded by the Dean's Academic Council at Georgetown University (2013), as well as the Georgetown University Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2011). As a neuroscientist who directed an active research program funded by federal and foundation grants, Dr. Velleca's understanding of brain function and cognitive performance will add value and depth to the Commission, especially regarding issues involving the mental health of judges. Dr. Velleca holds one of the two required non-lawyer positions on the Commission.

Chairperson Amy Bess and her fellow Commissioners welcome both Commissioner AliKhan and Commissioner Velleca while honoring and expressing their gratitude to their departing Commissioner colleagues. Offering her personal reflections, Chairperson Bess said: "My fellow Commissioners and I are thrilled to welcome Commissioner AliKhan and Commissioner Velleca. Their impeccable credentials, distinguished and unique experience, and commitment to judicial ethics are invaluable to the Commission and its mission at a critical time in its history. I also wish to extend my deepest gratitude to former Commissioner Patrick Jackson and Commissioner and Chairperson Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. Commissioner Jackson's contributions were integral to the commission, especially with respect to complex and sensitive medical and other matters. His expertise, thoughtfulness and compassion were exceptional. Commissioner Kollar-Kotelly, who served the Commission for almost eight years -- including over four years in critical leadership positions -- has been a steadfast, visionary leader on the Commission at a transformational time in the Commission's history. Her selfless sacrifice, tenacity and dedication cannot be understated. I am personally grateful for both Commissioner Kollar-Kotelly's and Commissioner Jackson's partnership and strategic vision, and we look forward to formally honoring their service and exceptional legacy in the months ahead."

The Commission plans to formally honor its two departing Commissioners early next year - the Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly and Dr. Patrick Jackson.