Long-Time Legal Aid Lawyer Julie Becker Confirmed to Superior Court Bench
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Julie Becker, Supervising Attorney

We are delighted to announce that Julie Becker, Supervising Attorney in the Housing Law Unit, has been confirmed to serve on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Julie was nominated by President Obama on April 30, 2015, and was confirmed by the Senate last night. As President Barack Obama said when announcing her nomination:  “Throughout her career Julie Helene Becker has shown unwavering integrity and an outstanding commitment to public service.”  We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

Julie has been at Legal Aid since 2000. During her time here, Julie has been a powerful advocate for low-income tenants in the District. She has done extraordinary work on behalf of families, individuals, and communities living in poverty to prevent homelessness and increase the availability and quality of affordable housing in the District. Her work includes representing tenants in D.C. Superior Court and the D.C. Court of Appeals, helping clients maintain their housing subsidies, and representing tenant associations to preserve secure and affordable housing. Julie also serves on the Landlord-Tenant Branch Rules Advisory Committee for the D.C. Superior Court and the D.C. Bar Judicial Evaluation Committee. She has shaped housing policy and legislation through her tireless advocacy at the D.C. Council and the D.C. Housing Authority.

Julie has led an impressive legal career since she graduated from Yale Law School in 1999. Following law school, she clerked for the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, then a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

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Julie and one of her clients Angela Taylor

Among her peers, the bench, and the bar, Julie is recognized as an expert and a superb advocate.  In 2006, Julie received the National Housing Law Project’s Housing Justice Award, given nationally to an advocate for success in “tackling the systemic and often hostile obstacles that stand in the way of safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income and marginalized people.” In 2009, Julie was recognized as one of D.C.’s Rising Stars by the National Law Journal for being one of 40 “game-changing lawyers age 40 and under” who have already made a mark and are expected to be leaders in the profession.

Among her clients, Julie is known to be a brilliant and effective lawyer who places a high value on ensuring that everyone – especially persons traditionally denied a voice – is treated with dignity and respect.  She has the rare combination of superb legal talent, vision and dedication, and empathy, compassion, and respect.  Among her colleagues, she is known as a wonderful mentor and friend.

As a Superior Court Judge, Julie will undoubtedly continue her lifelong commitment to “making justice real” for D.C. residents.  So, while we are delighted to announce Julie’s confirmation, we confess to being more than a little bit sad to see her leave Legal Aid.

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