Donald W. Lemons at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Current assignment
- Supreme Court of Virginia
- Jurisdiction
- Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Former
Donald W. Lemons
Former Judge · Supreme Court of Virginia
Biography
Professional career
- Professorships: A.L. Philpott Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Law (University of Richmond, 1998–2000) and Distinguished Professor of Judicial Studies (Washington and Lee University School of Law, 2008–present)
- Judge, Supreme Court of Virginia, 2000-present
- Donald Wayne Lemons is a retired judge and the 26th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, serving from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021
- Chief Justice: Elected by his peers in 2014 to replace Cynthia D. Kinser; served two four-year terms (2015–2021)
- Early roles: Lemons began as a probation officer in Fairfax County (1971–1973) and held the role of assistant dean and professor at the University of Virginia School of Law (1976–1978)
Education
- Donald W. Lemons - | Spouse | Carol Lemons | | Education | University of Virginia (BA, JD) | | | | Biography Lemons was assistant dean and assistant professor of law of the University of Virginia School of Law from 1976 to 1978.
- University of Virginia-Main Campus — B.A.
- University of Virginia-Main Campus — J.D.
Additional information
- Retired from the Supreme Court in February 2022, leaving a legacy of judicial leadership, innovative sentencing reform, and academic contributions.
- Supreme Court of Virginia: Elected in 2000 to fill the vacancy created by A. Christian Compton’s retirement, serving until his retirement in February 2022.
- Honors: Recipient of the 2021 Harry L. Carrico Outstanding Career Service Award and the American Inns of Court Lewis F. Powell Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics.
- Leadership: President of the American Inns of Court (2010–2014).
- Practitioner, 1999-1999
- prof, 1999-1999
- Court of Appeals: Elected in 1998 to an eight-year term on the Virginia Court of Appeals, succeeding Joseph E. Baker.
- Local court service: Appointed in 1995 by Governor George Allen to the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, later confirmed by the General Assembly.
- B.A. (1970)
- Born February 22, 1949, Washington, D.C..
- Date of birth: 1949-02-22
- Birth place: Washington, D.C.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Cell Phones And Electronic Devices
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.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Supreme Court of Virginia current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Supreme Court of Virginia current judicial profile ↗Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy ↗