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April 12, 2007
DeJongh nominates Carroll and Dunston to Superior Court bench; Renominates Donohue as presiding judge Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Thursday announced his first nominations to the Virgin Islands Superior Court bench. And the chief executive re-nominated Presiding Judge Daryl Donhoue to another term. DeJongh said today that he selected Assistant U.S. Attorney James Carroll, and longtime St. Thomas attorney Michael Dunston to the fill two vacancies on the Superior Court bench. The vacancies were caused by the transfer of Judges Ive Arlington Swan and Rhys Hodge from the V.I. Superior Court to the V.I. Supreme Court. These are key selections to help guide and lead an important body such as the Virgin Islands Superior Court, considering the varied and complex issues confronting the Court, deJongh said. "The Superior Court maintains broad jurisdiction in addressing the legal needs of the Virgin Islands community. As such, it is imperative that we have strong and capable judges with a balanced and fair perspective on the issues. These three attorneys represent some of the territory’s top advocates, and it is with great confidence that I make these nominations today." Carroll has served over thirty-five years in senior legal capacities, including twenty-eight years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of the Virgin Islands as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Civil Chief, and Public Information Officer. Carroll holds a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from New York University. Carroll has been admitted to the Bars of the United States Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, as well as the District of the Virgin Islands. On Thursday, Carroll thanked deJongh for "his faith and trust in my ability to serve this honorable Court. Our task in providing careful and deliberate reviews of the cases that come before the Superior Court is rooted in the meticulous pursuit of justice for all. Our duty as a team is to provide sound opinions and interpretations of existing law to the best of our collective abilities and so as to ensure a proper and responsible legal system in the Virgin Islands." Carroll also noted that he was "very humbled and very pleased to have been selected by deJongh to carry on the duties of this proud body and in this distinct capacity." Carroll is the recipient of the Director’s and Special Achievement awards, as well as a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Justice for excellence as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Donohue has served over twenty-three years in senior legal positions in the Virgin Islands, including six years at the Superior Court, where he is the current Presiding Judge. Donohue’s selection represents a re-nomination to the Superior Court, where he has also served as Territorial/Superior Court Judge and Administrative Judge. Donohue is formerly the Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, and Managing Attorney at the Virgin Islands Department of Justice and Assistant Attorney General at the Virgin Islands Department of Law. Donohue holds a Juris Doctorate from Howard University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Xavier University and has been admitted to the Virgin Islands Bar Association, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the American Bar Association, and the National Bar Association. On Thursday, Donohue acknowledged Governor deJongh’s re-nomination and thanked him for "the continued opportunity to serve this high Court. I feel incredibly blessed and honored to have been selected to recommence with the duties afforded to me in my capacity as Presiding Judge and look forward to the progress of this Court in securing justice for those who come before this body with due process in mind." Donohue also noted that "it is with a determined optimism and a clear focus that I am fortunate to continue with my distinguished colleagues in this capacity." Donohue is President of the St. Joseph’s Parish Council, past member of the Child Abuse Task Force, former Co-Chair of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and has assisted in the drafting of current Domestic Violence Law. Dunston has served over thirty-three years in the legal field, including senior positions at the V.I. Justice Department in the capacities of Acting Attorney General, Chief Criminal and Family Divisions Attorney, Assistant Attorney General, and Public Defender. Dunston was also previously an Associate at the Law Office of Adrianne J. Dudley and is currently the sole proprietor at the Law Office of Michael C. Dunston. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Knox College and has been admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Judicial Circuit, the U.S. District Courts, including the Virgin Islands and the Southern and Eastern Districts of Illinois, as well as the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands and the State of Illinois. On Thursday, Dunston showed gracious appreciation for the Governor’s nomination, thanking him for his "confidence in selecting me to join the ranks of some of the most distinguished and capable lawyers in the Virgin Islands. The range of issues facing the Court is indeed broad. It is my honor to accept Governor de Jongh’s nomination, and I look forward to the confirmation process with humility and enthusiasm." The Superior Court of the Virgin Islands was created to protect the rights and liberties of territorial residents, as well as interpret and uphold the law, and resolve disputes promptly, peacefully, fairly and effectively. The Superior Court meets this mandate by providing an optimum level of service while maintaining the highest level of integrity, confidentiality, and public trust in the administration of justice regardless of race, sex, nationality, or creed. On October 29, 2004, Act No. 6687 established a Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands as the local appellate court, which now has authority to review decisions of the Superior Court. Parties may seek further review by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, with final review resting in the United States Supreme Court. |
