Helivi L. Holland at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Helivi L. Holland
Judge · Suffolk Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- 2024–present: Judge, 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Virginia
- 2021–2024: Judge, 5th Judicial District Court, Virginia
- First Black woman to serve as a General District judge in the 5th Judicial District (2021)
- 2010–2012: Director, Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
- 1991–2003: Adjunct professor, Paul D. Camp Community College
- 1992–1997 & 1998–2002: Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Portsmouth and Suffolk offices
Education
- J.D., William & Mary Law School (1990) Licensed to practice law in Virginia since 1991.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — B.S. (1987)
Additional information
- Her term runs until September 30, 2032.
- The first woman to serve on Virginia’s 5th Judicial Circuit Court, appointed by the Virginia General Assembly on October 1, 2024, and sworn in on November 15, 2024.
- 2012–2021: City Attorney, City of Suffolk
- 2008–2010: Deputy City Attorney, City of Suffolk
- Also listed among the Suffolk Circuit Court judges.
- First woman on the 5th Judicial Circuit bench
- Holland presides over the 5th Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia, which covers the City of Suffolk, Isle of Wright, and Southampton County.
- Holland has served on boards for the Children’s Center, Suffolk Education Foundation, Genieve Shelter, and the Suffolk chapter of the American Red Cross.
- Recipient of the Victim Assistance Award (Virginia Department of Criminal Justice) and the Lloyd Sealy Award (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives)
- She is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc..
- In her own words, Holland has described her judicial work as “pursuing what I felt was just... and making certain that people are treated fairly, understanding everyone comes from a different background”.
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 July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster ↗Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy ↗