The Honorable Brandes S.G. Ash began her judicial career in 2020 as an Administrative Law Judge at the District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights. In 2024, she was named Acting Chief Administrative Law Judge.

Chief Judge Ash received her B.A. in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and MPA from George Mason University. Thereafter, Chie Judge Ash received her J.D. and Family Law Certificate from Howard University School of Law, where—under the direction of Cynthia Mabry-King, former Howard Law professor and Circuit Court Mediator for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit—she served as a founding member of the Howard Family Law Society.

After graduating law school, Chief Judge Ash clerked for the Honorable Herman C. Dawson, Ret., in Prince George’s County Circuit Court. She next worked at the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG), where she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Child Support Services Division’s Trial Unit.

Chief Judge Ash later transitioned to the Burr Law Firm, PLLC, where she was, ultimately, named Of Counsel, following a successful career as a family law litigator, mediator and expertly trained Collaborative Practice professional.

A noted public servant, Chief Judge Ash has held several leadership positions in local and national professional organizations, including, amongst other roles, Chief of Communications for the National Bar Association (NBA); President of the Greater Washington Area Chapter of the NBA’s Women Lawyers Division (GWAC); Chair of GWAC Foundation, Inc.; President of the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation; and board member of Foundations for Home and Community, a non-profit therapeutic foster-care service provider in Maryland. Chief Judge Ash was also an inaugural class member of the D.C. Bar John Payton Leadership Academy.

Throughout her career, Chief Judge Ash has received numerous professional accolades, including being consecutively named a Rising Star in family law by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. Chief Judge Ash is also a recipient of the NBA’s 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocate Award.

In 2017, the NBA Young Lawyers’ Division established and named an annual award after Chief Judge Ash, to recognize Bar leaders who excel in leadership and service. In 2024, Chief Judge Ash was a recipient of former U.S. President, Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s, President’s Volunteer Service Award, after performing more than 100 substantial hours of community service within a 12-month period. Chief Judge Ash is especially proud of conceiving and developing—alongside Charlyn Stanberry, Esq.—a paid annual summer internship program that assigns law students to work on the Hill, in the offices of U.S. Congresswomen.