On September 29, 2007, the Honorable Eileen A. Olds was inaugurated as the 46th President of the American Judges Association (AJA) at the Annual Conference in Vancouver, BC. This historic conference, consisting of American and Canadian judges, was the largest gathering ever of judges in North America. A joint plenary session featured Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the United States Supreme Court and Justice William Ian Corneil Binnie of the Supreme Court of Canada.
AJA is the largest independent association of judges in North America and serves as “The Voice of the Judiciary.” AJA aims to promote and improve the effective administration of justice; maintain the status and independence of the judiciary; provide continuing education for its members and the general public; and allows for the exchange of ideas amongst all judges. The membership is comprised of judges from all levels and jurisdictions.
Judge Olds began her legal profession in 1982 as a private practitioner specializing in criminal defense and domestic relations law. In 1995, she became one of two African American Judges appointed that year, and the first female judge of the First Judicial District of Virginia. She remains the only female jurist. She currently presides as a Judge of the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, having served four years as the chief judge.
This latest accolade follows an impressive list of citations, awards, and leadership positions received throughout her judicial career. Judge Olds is the first Virginian to serve as AJA’s president since its inception in 1959.
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