James G. McGiffin, Jr. was publicly sworn in Monday for his first term as a Judge of the Family Court of the State of Delaware at the Kent County Courthouse in Dover.
Judge McGiffin replaces William J. Walls, Jr. who retired from the bench earlier this year.
Family Court Chief Judge Michael K. Newell welcomed the audience to the investiture and Family Court Judge Louann Vari administered the Oath of Office.
Following the Oath of Office, Gov. Jack A. Markell; Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia M. Blevins and Superior Court Judge Robert B. Young offered remarks. Judge McGiffin’s daughter, Bridget Doyle McGiffin, spoke on behalf of the McGiffin family.
McGiffin previously served as a Family Court Commissioner from 1994 to 1998. Prior to this appointment, McGiffin was Counsel to the Majority Caucus in the Delaware State Senate and a Senior Staff Attorney with Community Legal Aid Society Inc. in Kent County.
McGiffin worked for the Community Legal Aid Society for more than 27 years, and he held a variety of posts there including Executive Director from 1998 to 2005. He also served as a Dover City Councilman from 2006 to 2011.
McGiffin received his bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in 1982 and his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1985.
McGiffin has been involved in a number of music-related projects to raise money for charity including helping put together a biennial musical comedy fundraiser for the Combined Campaign for Justice featuring a troupe of Delaware lawyers. He also was the executive producer for two albums – “Courthouse Blues: Music from the Delaware Bar” and “Courthouse Blues: Remanded.” Proceeds went to Community Legal Aid Society Inc.
Judge McGiffin lives with his wife in Dover.
