Reves Center for International Studies Events
[PAST EVENT] Family Law & Domestic Violence Clinics Presentation: Female Jurists in U.S. & Afghan Court Systems
Join the Family Law and Domestic Violence Clinics on Wednesday, April 26, at 10:00am-12:00pm in Room 119 for a presentation by Judge Lida Kharooti Sayeed, a former judge in Afghanistan, and Judge Judith Kline, a retired Juvenile and Domestic Relations judge in Newport News. Judge Kharooti Sayeed and Judge Kline will reflect on the differences between U.S. and Afghan courts and their experiences as female jurists. A question-and-answer period will be included. This event is open to all.
*Judge Lida Kharooti Sayeed currently serves as a scholar and researcher at the College of William and Mary Law School. In her native Afghanistan, she served as Legal Coordinator, De Qanoon Ghoshtonki (office of non-governmental defense lawyers) in 2007. From 2009- 2011, she sat as a judge of the General Criminal Division of Supreme Court. She also served as a judge of the juvenile court, 2014 – 2016. Judge of the Public Security Division and judge of the Family and Civil Division Appeals Court, from 2016 – 2018, she served as a judge in the Anti-Corruption and Justice Center, primary court in Kabul, Afghanistan. From 2018 to present, she has served as founder and vice president of the Afghan Women Judges Association,
She was recognized with a first class commendation letter from the President of Afghanistan for her excellent work in fighting corruption and bringing high-ranking officials to justice and was award the Global Jurist of the year award from Northwestern University Pritzker in Chicago on behalf of all Afghan women judges who showed great courage in tackling difficult anti-corruption cases and bringing many people to justice.
*Judge Judith Kline graduated from Douglas College at Rutgers University in New Jersey with a B.A. in American Studies. She obtained her law degree from the College of William and Mary . Following graduation she worked for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., then as an attorney for Virginia Legal Aid Society in Farmville, Virginia. From 1981 until appointment to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in April, 2003, Judge Kline had her own law office in Hilton Village, Newport News, eventually specializing in family law.
During her years in private practice, Judge Kline served as a substitute judge, as special justice for mental commitment hearings, a state Hearing Officer and as a certified mediator.
Judge Kline served on the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for the City of Newport News from 2003 to 2021. As a J&DR Judge Judge Kline was involved in many collaborative initiatives, including: Juvenile Drug Treatment Court, Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, Child Dependency Mediation and Foster Care Best Practices. She was (and remains) involved with the National Association of Women Judges, having served as President of the Virginia Chapter and Director of District Four.
Judge Kline retired on April 1, 2021, having served three six year terms. She is now living with her husband, dog and two cats on the Poropatank River in Gloucester, looking forward to gardening, horseback riding, hiking and kayaking.