Gov. John deJongh Jr. announced Friday his re-nomination of a sitting Superior Court judge to serve as presiding judge in his second term and sent to the 30th Legislature the names of two respected Virgin Islands attorneys for confirmation to the bench.
If reconfirmed, Judge Michael Dunston will replace Darryl Donohue as presiding judge of the Virgin Islands Superior Court. Dunston’s current six-year term expires Sept. 25.
Also in the St. Thomas-St. John district, deJongh has selected Denise Francois to replace Judge James Carroll. Francois, formerly a partner in the firm of Hodge & Francois, is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law and, before that, Amherst College.
To replace Donohue in the St. Croix district, the governor has nominated Robert Molloy. Since September 2007, Molloy has served as an attorney in the Office of Collective Bargaining. He holds a master of business administration and a law degree, both from American University.
“Judge Michael Dunston has served with great distinction for six years, and I am confident he will guide the Superior Court with wisdom, compassion and intelligence as presiding judge," deJongh said. "I am proud to offer the nominations of attorneys Francois and Molloy to join Judge Dunston as our territory’s jurists because I believe they are both truly worthy additions to the Virgin Islands judiciary,” deJongh said.
“I urge the 30th Legislature to move promptly to confirm these judicial appointments,” the governor added.
