Gavel passes to new president of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association

During its 50th Annual 2012 Convention held this year in Denver, Colorado, the Federal Magistrate Judges Association (FMJA) a national organization installed its President, United States Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Judge Roby is the longest-serving African-American female on the federal court in the State of Louisiana. She has served as a federal trial judge for almost 14 years and is the first African-American female to serve as the president of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.

Judge Roby is a 1983 graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Economics, Accounting and Computer Science. She is also a 1987 graduate of Tulane University Law School where she serves as an Associate Professor teaching Trial Advocacy.

United States District Judge Kurt Engelhardt, the immediate past president of the New Orleans Federal Bar Association, had this to say about Judge Roby: “Judge Roby has consistently demonstrated the type of energy, interest, dedication and hard work necessary for the judicial system to function properly and promptly. Magistrate Judge Roby is quick to understand and appreciate the positions of the parties, which is essential to handling the business of the court. She has been of great assistance to litigants, lawyers and the district court, and her work has frequently been cited favorably by those she has helped in performing her duties as federal magistrate.”

Sarah S. Vance, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District, says, “The judges of the Eastern District of Louisiana are very proud that Magistrate Judge Karen Roby will become president of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association. Clearly, Judge Roby has earned the confidence of the federal magistrate judges across the country. We are certain that she will do a terrific job in this position.”

The FMJA is a national organization made up exclusively of federal magistrate judges in the United States. Judge Roby will help guide the FMJA as it works to support its member judges by meeting with members of Congress and the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court regarding issues concerning its constituents. Weighing in on policy issues in the federal judiciary that affect its members and the federal courts, Judge Roby, as FMJA’s president will work on educating the public about the importance of the magistrate judge system and the integral role the FMJA plays in teaching civics education to students and adults in the United States.

Through its Rules Committee the FMJA directly works on change to the Federal Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure. It also works to enhance the vital role of magistrate judges with the judiciary. The FMJA works in partnership on issues of common interest and concern with the Federal Judges Association, an association of Federal District Judges, the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and the Admini­strative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Judge Kristen Mix, U.S. Magi­strate Judge of the District of Colorado had this to say about Judge Roby serving as president of the Organization: “The Federal Magistrate Judges Association is extremely fortunate to have Karen Wells Roby as our new president. Karen is a calm, thoughtful, passionate and visionary leader. She has an utterly practical approach combined with a delightful sense of humor. People like her and want to work with her. The FMJA is enriched with her at the helm.”

During the 50th Convention, Judge Roby reminded the judges of their rich history and the role they play in the federal judiciary. She further pledged to continue the great tradition of the organization and vowed to work towards strengthening the organization for the next 50 years.

This article originally published in the October 29, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.