A former prosecutor and current defense attorney in Williamsburg has received the endorsement of the York-Poquoson Bar Association to replace York County Circuit Court Judge Richard AtLee Jr. on the bench.
The bar association, a voluntary organization for local practicing lawyers, announced Richard H. Rizk as its candidate for the Circuit Court Judge seat left vacant by AtLee — who was appointed to the Virginia Court of Appeals in January — in a news release Wednesday.
The endorsement will be considered by the Virginia General Assembly after going through an interview process with the Courts of Justice Committees.
Rizk has been working in the firm of Geddy, Harris, Franck & Hickman LLP in Williamsburg, since 2003 and previously served as the Williamsburg-James City County assistant commonwealth’s attorney.
He practices in the areas of criminal defense, vehicle accidents and DUIs, domestic relations, personal injury and general litigation.
He also currently serves as substitute judge for the ninth judicial district, which comprises the counties of Charles City, James City, Mathews, York, King William, King and Queen, New Kent and Middlesex and the City of Williamsburg.
The association also considered Wade E. Bowie, who serves as a judge on the York Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and Ternon G. Lee, a practicing lawyer in Williamsburg.
In York County, substitute judges have been taking turns on the circuit bench since AtLee’s departure.
The judge’s position in circuit court will remain vacant until nominations from General Assembly members are presented to the House and Senate Committees for the Courts of Justice. Candidates will then be screened and interviewed, with input by the local bar association.
Once the Courts of Justice Committees deem the candidates qualified for the position, the House of Delegates and the Senate will vote separately for the appointment of the new judge.
The seat was left vacant for three years in 2008 after the death of Judge N. Prentis Smiley, causing difficulties for prosecutors, defense attorneys and courthouse staff.
“It’s hard for everyone [to work without a permanent judge] because you have an ever-revolving group of substitute judges, and each judge has his own perspective with regard to application of the law, and it’s hard to get consistency,” York-Poquoson Commonwealth’s Attorney Benjamin Hahn said in a January interview.
Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled Judge Wade E. Bowie’s name. The error has been corrected.
