Longtime land use attorney Mary Catherine Gibbs was sworn in as Alexandria’s newest General District Court judge for the 18th Judicial District.
Gibbs was sworn in Thursday night (June 25) to a six-year term by retired Circuit Court Judge Nolan B. Dawkins. Mayor Alyia Gaskins presented Gibbs with her commission from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).
“Tonight, I attended the Investiture Ceremony of the Honorable Mary Catherine Gibbs, who is the newest judge in the General District Court for the 18th Judicial District,” Gaskins shared on Instagram. “I was honored to present her official Commission from the Governor.”
Gibbs replaces Judge Sonya L. Sacks, who joined the bench in 2020 and retired at the end of last year.
Gibbs was a land use attorney in Alexandria for 25 years, most recently stepping down as a partner with Wire Gill, LLP, where she represented clients like HRP Group, which is leading the Potomac River Generating Station redevelopment in Old Town North. She was also a partner with Hart, Calley, Gibbs & Karp, P.C. from 2001 to 2018, specializing in complex land use, eminent domain cases, as well as juvenile crime and domestic abuse cases, according to her LinkedIn page.
Gibbs was recommended for the post in a state bill by Virginia Senate Majority Leader Sen. Scott Surovell (D-34). She has a law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in history from James Madison University.
Image via Alyia Gaskins/Instagram
