CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS (CHC) APPLAUDS CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE MARISA J. DEMEO

(Washington, DC) – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) today applauded the Senate’s confirmation of the Honorable Marisa J. Demeo as Associate Judge for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Judge Demeo was nominated for the post by President Obama in March 2009 and was previously endorsed by the CHC for her experience and dedication to public service.

“Judge Demeo is an exceptional jurist, an accomplished legal talent and one of the Latino community’s rising stars,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

“Judge Demeo brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the justice system and I am confident she will serve the Superior Court and our nation with an exceptional level of commitment and integrity,” said Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez, 1st Vice Chair and Chair of the Hispanic Judiciary Initiative of the CHC. “While the CHC is gratified by this appointment, it is difficult to understand why the confirmation of such an undoubtedly qualified nominee to fill a Superior Court judgeship would take over a year. We respectfully urge the Senate to act in a timely manner on all of President Obama's nominees."

About Judge Marisa J. Demeo

Judge Demeo received her Juris Doctor from New York University, where she was selected as a Root-Tilden Scholar for her academic achievement and commitment to public interest. Judge Demeo has worked for organizations such as Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and was also an honors program trial attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division Employment Litigation Section.

In 2004, Ms. Demeo joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO) as an Assistant United States Attorney, where she served in the Misdemeanor Trial Section, the Felony Trial Section, the Grand Jury Section, and the Sex Offense/Domestic Violence Trial Section. During her time at the USAO, Ms. Demeo handled 45 criminal trials and presented over 30 felony cases to the grand jury, which were indicted. She received two awards for her work at the USAO.

In 2005, Ms. Demeo was appointed by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to the District of Columbia Access to Justice Commission, which is charged with the responsibility of increasing access for low and moderate income residents in the District to the civil justice system.

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