RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Gov. Terry McAuliffe has selected a Fairfax County circuit court judge to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Virginia Supreme Court.
McAuliffe made his announcement at a press conference Monday, calling Judge Jane Marum Roush “highly respected.”
“Over 22 years on the bench Judge Roush has developed a statewide reputation for fairness, thoughtfulness and a proven ability to handle complex and high-profile cases,” McAuliffe said.
“The support she has earned from a bipartisan group of legislators, bar associations, public safety professionals and many others is a clear sign that she is the right choice to carry on Justice Millette’s sterling legacy as the next justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.”
Roush will fill the seat left open by retiring Justice LeRoy Millette Jr. when he steps down July 31. He announced his retirement in April.
Roush has served as a judge on the Circuit Court for the 19th Judicial District for Fairfax County and City since 1993.
She was chosen for the circuit court post through a bipartisan General Assembly judicial selection process, and she has been re-elected through the same process.
She will be the first Supreme Court justice from Fairfax County since 2010, when Justice Barbara Keenan left to accept a federal court appointment.
Roush served as an attorney in Fairfax County prior to her time on the circuit court. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and the University of Virginia Law School.
The state Supreme Court empowers the governor to fill vacancies on state courts when the General Assembly is not in session.
The General Assembly will consider Roush’s appointment when they convene next.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.