Peter Dujardin
Nov 07, 2009 (Daily Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --

It's one Peninsula native replacing another on the local federal bench.

Douglas E. Miller, 47, an attorney who grew up in Hampton, will replace U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Bradberry on the federal court that serves Hampton Roads.

Bradberry, formerly of Poquoson and now of Newport News, announced earlier this year that he was retiring after 20 years on the bench.

Miller, selected as Bradberry's replacement by federal judges in Virginia's Eastern District, will take his new seat on Feb. 1.

Miller has worked for the past 11 years for the Newport News firm of Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, mostly on civil cases. He's handled commercial and real estate litigation, fraud, business conspiracy and other matters.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Miller said of his new role. "I think being a judge is a high honor. I have a really high regard for (the other local federal judges). And when the opportunity arose to be a part of the court, I was very interested in trying to do that."

Miller said he hasn't handled much criminal work -- an area he will quickly have to become familiar with. But he said he's looking forward to delving into criminal law.

Miller, who graduated from Hampton High School in 1980, holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University, a master's degree from Syracuse University and a law degree from the College of William and Mary. He later clerked for U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, now the chief federal judge in Hampton Roads.

Magistrate judges handle a widely varied docket. They hear misdemeanors and traffic violations that occur on federal property -- including on military bases. They hold bond hearings, preliminary hearings and other matters for felony cases. And they hold hearings and mediation in civil cases. They earn $160,080 a year.

"I think he's an outstanding selection," said Robert W. Lawrence, president-elect of the Newport News Bar Association. "He's very detailed, very thorough, and with his calm temperament, he'll be an asset.

"He gives a lot of thought to whatever he says. ... He's everything you'd want in a judge."

Matthew W. Hoffman, a former prosecutor in Newport News and Hampton and now an attorney for Progressive Insurance, voiced approval.

"Doug is a smart and talented litigator who will make a fine judge," said Hoffman, who graduated a year behind Miller at William and Mary. "He distinguished himself as an outstanding member of the law school community, the Newport News bar and the Hampton community."

Miller is a member of the Hampton Yacht Club, Wythe Neighborhood Association and St. John's Episcopal Church.

Bradberry will turn 70, the mandatory federal retirement age for judges, next year. For many years, Bradberry was the only judge assigned to the old federal court in downtown Newport News. He began working out of Norfolk in 2001 after security concerns at Newport News' former federal courthouse.

Miller said his office will be in Norfolk.

"I'm very much looking forward to being in the Norfolk courthouse with the other judges," he said. "I like being around other people."

The panel of federal judges in Hampton Roads includes four district judges, two senior district judges and three magistrate judges.

Unlike the district judges -- who are appointed by the president -- magistrate judges are appointed by the district judges. A "merit selection panel" -- composed of attorneys and citizens -- recommended five candidates. Then a majority of the district judges -- from Hampton Roads, Richmond and Northern Virginia -- held interviews and made the final pick.

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