CJDT Announces Appointment of Two New Commissioners

November 07, 2025

On November 6 the District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure (CJDT) announced the appointment of two new commission members, Judge Loren L. AliKhan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and neuroscientist Dr. Maria Donoghue Velleca.

Judge AliKhan will replace Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly as the federal judiciary representative on the commission. Appointed to the D.C. District Court in December 2023 following her service on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, AliKhan also previously served as solicitor general in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.

Holding a nonlawyer position on the commission, Dr. Velleca will replace Dr. Patrick G. Jackson. Dr. Velleca most recently served as dean of the arts and sciences faculty at the College of William and Mary. Dr. Velleca is professor emeritus at Georgetown University, where she taught biology for nearly 14 years and was senior associate dean for faculty affairs and strategic planning for the school’s College of Arts & Sciences.

CJDT Chair Amy Bess and her fellow commissioners welcomed AliKhan and Velleca while honoring their departing commissioner colleagues. “My fellow commissioners and I are thrilled to welcome Commissioner AliKhan and Commissioner Velleca. Their impeccable credentials, distinguished and unique experience, and commitment to judicial ethics are invaluable to the commission and its mission at a critical time in its history,” said Bess.

“I also wish to extend my deepest gratitude to former Commissioner Patrick Jackson and Commissioner and Chairperson Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. Commissioner Jackson’s contributions were integral to the commission, especially with respect to complex and sensitive medical and other matters …. Commissioner Kollar-Kotelly, who served the commission for almost eight years — including over four years in critical leadership positions — has been a steadfast, visionary leader on the commission at a transformational time in the commission’s history. Her selfless sacrifice, tenacity, and dedication cannot be understated,” Bess added.

The commission plans to formally honor Kollar-Kotelly and Jackson early next year.

Formed in 1970, CJDT’s mission is to maintain public confidence in an independent, impartial, fair, and qualified judiciary and to enforce the high standards of conduct judges must adhere to both on and off the bench.