---
title: "Daniel Tomas Lopez | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/daniel-tomas-lopez-va-arlington-circuit-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Daniel Tomas Lopez

Arlington Circuit Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Arlington Circuit Court
- State: Virginia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### cell phones and electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Virginia courts commonly restrict cell phones and other electronic devices in court buildings; counsel and litigants should check the local court policy before arrival.

Evidence excerpt: Most courts in Virginia do not allow you to bring a cell phone or other electronic device into the building.

[Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/daniel-tomas-lopez-va-arlington-circuit-court",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/daniel-tomas-lopez-va-arlington-circuit-court",
      "name": "Daniel Tomas Lopez | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Daniel Tomas Lopez, Arlington Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-07-26",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/daniel-tomas-lopez-va-arlington-circuit-court#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/daniel-tomas-lopez-va-arlington-circuit-court#judge",
      "name": "Daniel Tomas Lopez",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/daniel-tomas-lopez-va-arlington-circuit-court",
      "jobTitle": "Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Arlington Circuit Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Virginia",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/virginia"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Daniel Tomas Lopez",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/daniel-tomas-lopez-va-arlington-circuit-court"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge of Virginia’s 17th Judicial Circuit Court, serving Arlington County, and has been on the bench since 2019 after a long career in criminal defense and judicial service.
- Judicial service: Substitute judge for Arlington General District Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court (2007–2019) Judge, 17th Judicial District Court of Virginia (2019–present)
- Previous roles: Judge, 17th Judicial District Court of Virginia; substitute judge in Arlington’s General District Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court since 2007
- First Latino judge sworn in at Arlington General District Court in 2019
- Legal practice: Partner/Owner, Briglia Hudley, P.C. (2009–2019) Co‐founder, Lopez, Meleen & Soprano (2001–2009) Criminal defense and litigation practice in state and federal courts

### Education

- George Washington University Law School — J.D. (1996)
- in English Literature, Beloit College — B.A. (1987)

### Additional information

- Member, Arlington County Restorative Justice Initiative
- Former board member, Arlington Soccer Association; manager, South Arlington Soccer Club
- Active in local civic and legal organizations