The Quiet Exodus: Why Virginia Judges Like Lisa B. Kemler Are Retiring Early

In 2025, a new wave of early judicial retirements is sweeping across Virginia. Among the most notable is Judge Lisa B. Kemler, longtime fixture of the Alexandria Circuit Court, who announced she will step down effective June 30, 2025. On paper, her retirement is a simple milestone: another distinguished judge closing a chapter after years of service. But beneath the surface, the timing and pattern of these exits raise bigger, more troubling questions.

Because Kemler is not alone. She joins a growing list of Virginia judges departing earlier than expected, leaving behind courts in the throes of unprecedented dysfunction, public distrust, and an ever-widening credibility gap.

So why are so many judges bailing out now?

The Real Forces Driving Early Retirements

1. Better Money, Less Accountability

Private ADR firms like The McCammon Group and Juridical Solutions offer plush landing pads for retired judges. Instead of slogging through crowded dockets, political headaches, and angry litigants, they can work selectively, charge hundreds per hour, and enjoy complete confidentiality. Leaving the bench early opens the door to years of lucrative “neutral” work — without the burden of elections, oversight, or ethics complaints.

2. Public Trust Is Collapsing

The judiciary is no longer viewed with the blind reverence it once enjoyed. Especially in family law and civil courts, judges face mounting accusations of bias, indifference, and even corruption. Parents separated from their children by questionable custody rulings, small business owners bankrupted by endless procedural delays — they are starting to speak out.

The harsh truth is that the judicial robe doesn’t protect against reputational damage the way it used to. Some judges, sensing the shifting winds, are getting out before the real reckoning begins.

3. The Backlog Crisis

Virginia courts are drowning in backlogs. Post-COVID delays, staff shortages, and outdated case management systems have ground the machinery of justice to a near halt. Judges are under enormous pressure to “move cases,” even if that means cutting corners, denying hearings, and pushing parties into settlement mills.

For some judges, the strain isn’t worth it. Why stay and fight a losing battle when private sector opportunities await?

4. Fear of Future Accountability

As calls grow louder for reform, transparency, and an end to absolute judicial immunity, some judges may fear exposure of past mistakes or controversial rulings. Early retirement becomes a tactical retreat: better to exit gracefully now than be caught in a future storm.

5. Pension Math Makes It Easy

Virginia’s judicial pension system rewards early exits for judges with enough service years. If a judge can retire comfortably in their 50s or early 60s and double their income in private ADR, the financial incentive to leave is overwhelming.

The Kemler Case: Symbol of a Bigger Problem

Judge Kemler’s legacy is complicated. While some laud her for her years of service, others — particularly in the family court arena — criticize her for questionable rulings, perceived biases, and failures to protect vulnerable litigants. Stories circulate of cases dragged out for years, of survivors of abuse left unprotected, of families fractured beyond repair.

Her departure without public explanation leaves many wondering: is this simply retirement — or a strategic move before the tides of accountability rise higher?

Conclusion: A System in Transition

Virginia’s early judicial retirements are not random. They are symptoms of a legal system under immense strain — financially, ethically, and socially. As more judges like Kemler walk away, the public must demand not just new appointments, but a complete rethinking of how judges are selected, compensated, and held accountable.

Otherwise, the revolving door between broken courts and profit-driven ADR firms will keep spinning — and the average citizen will keep paying the price.

The damage doesn’t end when the judges retire — it just changes form. If you’ve been impacted by judicial delays, bias, or ADR scams, I want to hear your story. Comment below or message me.