SR715: Commending the Honorable Janice Justina Wellington.
WHEREAS, the Honorable Janice Justina Wellington, a trailblazer for African American women in the legal profession, retired as a judge of the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in July 2020; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington grew up in New York City and is a first-generation American, her father having immigrated to the United States from Honduras and her mother from the West Indies; she was inspired at a young age to fight injustice and strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, after receiving a law degree from the George Washington University School of Law, Janice Wellington began her career with the U.S. Department of Transportation then became one of the first practicing African American women attorneys in the region when she agreed to help a friend represent a child in juvenile court; she subsequently practiced law with a firm in Prince William County for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington was appointed as a judge of the 31st Judicial District of Virginia in 1990; she was the first African American woman appointed as a judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district court in Northern Virginia and went on to become the longest serving juvenile and domestic relations district court judge in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, over the course of her 30 years on the bench, Janice Wellington presided over the court with great fairness and wisdom, demonstrating a passion for legal scholarship and compassion for people and families coming before the court; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington helped create the children’s waiting room at the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to help put children at ease during stressful situations and worked with Court Appointed Special Advocates to ensure that children had proper representation; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington was active in local bar associations and professional organizations, inspired countless students at the high school, college, and law school levels, and was a nationally recognized judicial educator who served as a teacher, mentor, and friend to many fellow judges around the Commonwealth and the country; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington served the Commonwealth with the utmost dedication, integrity, and distinction; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Janice Justina Wellington hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement as a judge of the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Janice Justina Wellington as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for her achievements in service to the residents of Prince William County.
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 715
WHEREAS, the Honorable Janice Justina Wellington, a trailblazer for African American women in the legal profession, retired as a judge of the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in July 2020; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington grew up in New York City and is a first-generation American, her father having immigrated to the United States from Honduras and her mother from the West Indies; she was inspired at a young age to fight injustice and strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, after receiving a law degree from the George Washington University School of Law, Janice Wellington began her career with the U.S. Department of Transportation then became one of the first practicing African American women attorneys in the region when she agreed to help a friend represent a child in juvenile court; she subsequently practiced law with a firm in Prince William County for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington was appointed as a judge of the 31st Judicial District of Virginia in 1990; she was the first African American woman appointed as a judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district court in Northern Virginia and went on to become the longest serving juvenile and domestic relations district court judge in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, over the course of her 30 years on the bench, Janice Wellington presided over the court with great fairness and wisdom, demonstrating a passion for legal scholarship and compassion for people and families coming before the court; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington helped create the children’s waiting room at the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to help put children at ease during stressful situations and worked with Court Appointed Special Advocates to ensure that children had proper representation; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington was active in local bar associations and professional organizations, inspired countless students at the high school, college, and law school levels, and was a nationally recognized judicial educator who served as a teacher, mentor, and friend to many fellow judges around the Commonwealth and the country; and
WHEREAS, Janice Wellington served the Commonwealth with the utmost dedication, integrity, and distinction; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Janice Justina Wellington hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement as a judge of the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Janice Justina Wellington as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for her achievements in service to the residents of Prince William County.