---
title: "Denise M. Francois | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/denise-m-francois-vi"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Denise M. Francois

Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands · Associate Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands
- State: U.S. Virgin Islands
- Role: Associate Justice
- Service status: active

## Summary

Denise M. Francois — Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

## Biography

### Professional career

- Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands, confirmed 2026-05-28
- Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands, confirmed in May 2026 to serve a 10‐year term
- 2026 Confirmation: The 36th Legislature confirmed her to the Supreme Court, making her the fifth justice and only the second woman appointed to the court
- Judge, Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, from 2013
- Appointment: First nominated in 2013 by Governor John P. DeJongh Jr. and confirmed by the 30th Legislature for a 6‐year term as a Superior Court judge
- Partner, Hodge and Francois, P.C.; earlier at Maria Tankenson Hodge, P.C
- Chief Justice Rhys S. Hodge described Francois’ confirmation as a “monumental milestone” for the Virgin Islands judiciary, noting it is the first time the Supreme Court has had all five justices seated since its expansion
- In summary: Justice Francois brings over three decades of legal service, a strong academic background, and a record of public service, making her a notable figure in the Virgin Islands’ judicial history

### Education

- University of San Diego School of Law — J.D. (1984)
- in Political Science, Amherst College (one of the first class of women admitted) — B.A. (1980)

### Additional information

- Reappointment: Renominated by Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. in 2020 and unanimously confirmed by the 33rd Legislature for a second 6‐year term.
- Department of Social Welfare, investigator, Division of Paternity and Child Support
- Department of Commerce, Division of Policy Planning and Research, economist
- Private practice including Hodge and Francois, P.C.
- Practiced before local and district courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and various Virgin Islands administrative agencies for nearly 30 years.
- Also the second woman appointed to the court.
- Admitted to the California State Bar, U.S. Virgin Islands, District Court of the Virgin Islands, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

## Sources

- [www.vicourts.org](https://www.vicourts.org/cms/one.aspx?pageid=15637115&portalid=12810944)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Virgin Islands Supreme Court — published oral argument practices](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-73b7c2815fe62db4bc84fdf7) — Official IOP amended April 1, 2014, partial reader capture. The introduction expressly states these internal practices do NOT have the force of law, do not govern practice before the Court and create no enforceable rights. Display as dated informational shared guidance only; rules, notices and later orders control. Shared baseline only, not a judge-specific preference or complete local rules inventory. Apply source exceptions, case-type limits, later amendments and case orders. [Official source](https://www.vicourts.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=16634394). Collected 2026-10-27.