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This judge got a new heart last fall. Now he’s mulling if he still wants to be the boss. This judge got a new heart last fall. Now he’s mulling if he still wants to be the boss.
(about 1 hour later)
Inside Courtroom 301 in D.C. Superior Court one recent morning, Judge Lee F. Satterfield was growing exasperated. There were still dozens of cases to hear. Inside Courtroom 301 in D.C. Superior Court one recent morning, Judge Lee F. Satterfield was growing exasperated. There were dozens of cases to hear.
When one prosecutor asked for more time, Satterfield was not pleased.When one prosecutor asked for more time, Satterfield was not pleased.
“Strike one government. You’re delaying progress,” the judge said.“Strike one government. You’re delaying progress,” the judge said.
“I’m doing the best I can,” the prosecutor responded.“I’m doing the best I can,” the prosecutor responded.
Things got just as bad for a D.C. public defender who said her client needed medical treatment. Satterfield asked whether she had completed the proper paperwork. She had not. “His arm is in a sling,” the attorney said, suggesting the defendant’s need was obvious. She sighed loudly as she began filling out the forms. Things got just as bad for a D.C. public defender who said her client needed medical treatment. Satterfield asked whether she had completed the proper paperwork. She had not.
“Are you sighing at me?” Satterfield said. “His arm is in a sling,” the attorney said, suggesting the defendant’s need was obvious. She sighed loudly as she began filling out the forms.
For nearly eight years, Satterfield has served as the court’s chief judge, creating policies for the 112 judges and overseeing the $123 million budget and operations. The 57-year-old is known as exacting — even abrasive at times — but also as a good steward of the massive court system. “Are you sighing at me?” Satterfield asked.
For nearly eight years, Satterfield has served as the court’s chief judge, setting policies for the 112 judges and overseeing the $123 million budget and operations. The 57-year-old Satterfield is known as exacting — even abrasive at times — but also as a good steward of the massive court system.
“When he’s at his best, he’s among the best we’ve ever had. He’s very good with colleagues,” said Judge Frederick Weisberg, one of the handful of judges Satterfield permitted to be interviewed. “He has very good judgment and always puts the institution before the interests of any one individual.”“When he’s at his best, he’s among the best we’ve ever had. He’s very good with colleagues,” said Judge Frederick Weisberg, one of the handful of judges Satterfield permitted to be interviewed. “He has very good judgment and always puts the institution before the interests of any one individual.”
[Chief Judge Satterfield in his own words][Chief Judge Satterfield in his own words]
Satterfield, who underwent a heart transplant last fall, is weighing whether to run for an unprecedented third term as chief or instead opt to return to the regular bench of judges. So far, the judge won’t say publicly whether he has decided, but he is expected to announce his choice this month. Satterfield, who underwent a heart transplant last fall, is weighing whether to run for an unprecedented third term as chief or instead return to the regular bench of judges. So far, the judge won’t say publicly whether he has decided, but he is expected to announce his choice this month.
Satterfield admits that he sometimes rubs judges and attorneys the wrong way, but he said it is always clear where he stands.Satterfield admits that he sometimes rubs judges and attorneys the wrong way, but he said it is always clear where he stands.
“I agree that I had gained a reputation but I didn’t have time for any petty stuff. I have been battling health issues since I was 16,” Satterfield said in a recent interview. “When you are fighting for your life, you learn to be truthful and not everyone is going to like the truth.”“I agree that I had gained a reputation but I didn’t have time for any petty stuff. I have been battling health issues since I was 16,” Satterfield said in a recent interview. “When you are fighting for your life, you learn to be truthful and not everyone is going to like the truth.”
Just five months ago, Satterfield was on the operating table in a Fairfax hospital, receiving a new heart after being on a waiting list for two years. His heart was damaged from chemotherapy he’d undergone decades earlier, when he was diagnosed with cancer as a teen. The cancer cost him his left leg. Just five months ago, Satterfield was on the operating table in a Fairfax hospital, receiving a new heart after two years on a waiting list. His heart was damaged by chemotherapy decades earlier, when he was diagnosed with cancer as a teen. The cancer cost him his left leg.
A few years ago, Satterfield had a defibrillator implanted, and he also has suffered a stroke.A few years ago, Satterfield had a defibrillator implanted, and he also has suffered a stroke.
Satterfield followed in his late father’s footsteps. Lee A. Satterfield was a former prosecutor with the Justice Department who went on to become lead in-house council for what was then called the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company. In 1977, the elder Satterfield was tapped to become a judge in D.C. Superior Court. But it was the same time the family discovered his son had cancer, so he withdrew his name to care for the teen. Satterfield followed in his late father’s footsteps. Lee A. Satterfield was a former prosecutor with the Justice Department who went on to become lead in-house counsel for what was then the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Co. In 1977, the elder Satterfield was tapped to become a judge in D.C. Superior Court. But it was around the same time the family discovered his son had cancer, so he withdrew his name to care for the teen.
The younger Satterfield said his love of the law was inspired by his father, and he eventually was able to fill the spot his father “gave up” for him.The younger Satterfield said his love of the law was inspired by his father, and he eventually was able to fill the spot his father “gave up” for him.
After graduating from George Washington University’s law school, Lee F. Satterfield began his career as a prosecutor. He spent the early part of his career, in the mid-1980s, prosecuting homicide and drug cases in the District’s U.S. attorney’s office. After a stint as a defense attorney, he returned as a prosecutor with the Justice Department in 1991. After graduating from George Washington University’s law school, Lee F. Satterfield began his career as a prosecutor. He spent the early part of his career, in the mid-1980s, prosecuting homicide and drug cases in the U.S. attorney’s office in the District. After a stint as a defense attorney, he returned as a prosecutor with the Justice Department in 1991.
The following year, at age 33, he was appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush.The following year, at age 33, he was appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush.
Satterfield said he is proud of the initiatives that were administered during his tenure as chief judge. He created a specialized behavioral court in which some juveniles charged with crimes who comply with treatment may have their charges dropped. He also launched an effort that allows tenants to report infractions against their landlords.Satterfield said he is proud of the initiatives that were administered during his tenure as chief judge. He created a specialized behavioral court in which some juveniles charged with crimes who comply with treatment may have their charges dropped. He also launched an effort that allows tenants to report infractions against their landlords.
He overhauled the jury selection process so that potential jurors are only called if they are likely to be needed for trial. And he is overseeing a $63 million renovation of the courthouse. He overhauled the jury selection process so that potential jurors are called only if they are likely to be needed for trial. And he is overseeing a $63 million renovation of the courthouse.
His tenure has not been without controversy. Last year, after fiercely defending the courthouse’s policy of having all juveniles who are in custody wear shackles on their wrists and ankles when they appear in court, Satterfield ultimately relaxed the rule after it came under intense criticism. Now, the decision is made on a case-by-case basis. His tenure has not been without controversy. Last year, Satterfield fiercely defended the courthouse’s policy of having all juveniles who are in custody wear shackles on their wrists and ankles when they appear in court, but he relaxed the rule after it came under intense criticism. Now, the decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
[Chief judge weighs in on using restraints for juvenile offenders][Chief judge weighs in on using restraints for juvenile offenders]
But the biggest concern about Satterfield, expressed privately by judges, is that he sometimes openly criticizes colleagues in emails or group meetings. “It’s a public beheading,” said one judge, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the judge was not authorized to comment.But the biggest concern about Satterfield, expressed privately by judges, is that he sometimes openly criticizes colleagues in emails or group meetings. “It’s a public beheading,” said one judge, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the judge was not authorized to comment.
In the recent interview, Satterfield said the heart transplant has changed him. He’s more grateful, he said, and with his improved health his mood is lighter. In the recent interview, Satterfield said the heart transplant has changed him. He’s more grateful, he said, and with his improved health, his mood is lighter.
“I’m healthy now. When you don’t have blood going to your brain, yes, it will affect your demeanor,” he said.“I’m healthy now. When you don’t have blood going to your brain, yes, it will affect your demeanor,” he said.
Magistrate Judge Rainey Brandt calls Satterfield one of her mentors. She remembers sitting in her office with Satterfield one November afternoon in 2011 when she noticed him slurring his speech and drooling. Brandt said she could tell he was having a stroke, but Satterfield became dismissive when she asked him if he wasn’t feeling well.Magistrate Judge Rainey Brandt calls Satterfield one of her mentors. She remembers sitting in her office with Satterfield one November afternoon in 2011 when she noticed him slurring his speech and drooling. Brandt said she could tell he was having a stroke, but Satterfield became dismissive when she asked him if he wasn’t feeling well.
Angered by Brandt’s questions, Satterfield, she recalled, bolted out of her office and went back to his chambers. Brandt followed him. “I was trying to keep him from falling asleep. Everything that I ever learned from Girl Scouts from signs of a stroke, I figured he was having a stroke, but I didn’t want to yell that out and upset anyone else,” she said, pausing to wipe away tears as her voice choked. Angered by Brandt’s questions, Satterfield bolted out of her office and went back to his chambers, she recalled. Brandt followed him. “I was trying to keep him from falling asleep. Everything that I ever learned from Girl Scouts from signs of a stroke, I figured he was having a stroke, but I didn’t want to yell that out and upset anyone else,” she said, pausing to wipe away tears as her voice choked.
Brandt called for two other judges, and the group then called 911.Brandt called for two other judges, and the group then called 911.
Though Satterfield has had to take some absences from the bench to recover, he stayed focused on his job, evening sending emails from his hospital room. Though Satterfield had to take some time off from the bench to recover, he stayed focused on his job, even sending emails from his hospital room.
“I’ve had health issues, but I would not let those issues define me,” he said.“I’ve had health issues, but I would not let those issues define me,” he said.
During a recent fire drill, several courthouse staffers came over while Satterfield was outside the courthouse. They welcomed him back with a hug, handshake or smile.During a recent fire drill, several courthouse staffers came over while Satterfield was outside the courthouse. They welcomed him back with a hug, handshake or smile.
It’s not clear whether anyone else will seek to become the chief judge. That person is selected by the Judicial Nomination Commission, a seven-member group that comprises U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan, four attorneys and two city residents. The commission picks the chief based on interviews with the applicants, letters of recommendation written by judges, attorneys and other members of the public. It’s not clear whether anyone else will seek to become the chief judge. That person is selected by the Judicial Nomination Commission, a seven-member group that comprises U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, four attorneys and two city residents. The commission picks the chief based on interviews with the applicants, letters of recommendation written by judges, attorneys and other members of the public.
No matter what role he takes next, Satterfield said his new heart has given him a new mission and he has become a cheerleader for organ donation, speaking to court employees who are waiting for an organ themselves or are considering donating. No matter what role he takes next, Satterfield said his new heart has given him a new mission, and he has become a cheerleader for organ donation, speaking to court employees who are waiting for an organ themselves or are considering donating.
“I think I’ve been blessed. I was raised Catholic, but I’m not religious now. But I’ve been blessed,” he says. “I think I’ve been blessed. I was raised Catholic, but I’m not religious now. But I’ve been blessed,” he said.