The National CASA/GAL Association for Children welcomes Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo to board of trustees

NEWS

Contact: Kimberly Willis Green, kimberlywg@nationalcasagal.org, 206-774-7245

Seattle, Wash. – The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children today announced that Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo, president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), is joining its national board of trustees. As part of the long-standing partnership with NCJFCJ, the president serves as an ex-officio member of the National CASA/GAL Board of Trustees. Judge Puig-Lugo was elected as president of NCJFCJ in July 2021, succeeding Judge Dan Michael.

Judge Puig-Lugo joined the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in 1999 and has presided over criminal felony, juvenile delinquency, criminal misdemeanor, civil, child abuse and neglect, domestic relations, status offenses, and domestic violence cases. Judge Puig-Lugo established the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Working Group and chaired it for five years through 2016. He also chaired the CSEC’s Neglect Subcommittee, a working group that addressed the needs of LGBTQ+ youth in the neglect and juvenile delinquency systems.

“We are so fortunate to have newly elected NCJFCJ president, Judge Puig-Lugo join our board of trustees. Judge Puig-Lugo brings vast experience in diversity, equity and inclusion and family cases that will enhance our existing perspective and work,” said National CASA/GAL CEO Tara Lisa Perry. “The depth and breadth of his experience will help shape and inform the future work of providing best interest advocacy on behalf of children, youth and families.”

Judge Puig-Lugo is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he was the first Latino member of the Wisconsin Law Review. A native of San Germán, Puerto Rico, Judge Puig-Lugo is equally fluent in English and Spanish. Judge Puig-Lugo received the Judicial Leadership Award from the Hispanic National Bar Foundation in 2014, and the Honorable Ricardo M. Urbina Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia in 2011.

“I am excited to join National CASA/GAL in this capacity, to support the network of CASA/GAL volunteers who play an integral role in helping judges across the country make recommendations regarding a child’s placement and services,” said Judge Puig-Lugo.

He joins the existing National CASA/GAL Board of Trustees led by Joseph Bankoff, chair, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

About the National Court Appointed Special Advocate®/Guardian ad Litem Association for Children
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children, together with its 950 state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and have the opportunity to thrive. National CASA/GAL offers leadership and support to the network of programs and leads its continued growth. CASA/GAL volunteers and staff work every day to advocate for children, youth and families. To learn more, visit nationalcasagal.org.