Judge Bios

Judge Epstein grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale College in 1974 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1977.

After graduation from law school, Judge Epstein clerked for Charles B. Renfrew, United States District Judge for the Northern District of California. He then came to Washington and served in the U.S. Department of Justice from 1978-1981 – first as an attorney in the Antitrust Division, then as Special Assistant to the Deputy Attorney General, and last as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Judge Epstein grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale College in 1974 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1977.

After graduation from law school, Judge Epstein clerked for Charles B. Renfrew, United States District Judge for the Northern District of California. He then came to Washington and served in the U.S. Department of Justice from 1978-1981 – first as an attorney in the Antitrust Division, then as Special Assistant to the Deputy Attorney General, and last as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Judge Epstein entered private practice in 1981. He practiced first with Leva, Hawes, Symington, Martin & Oppenheimer from 1981-1983 and then with Jenner & Block LLP from 1983-1999. From 1999 until his appointment to the bench, Judge Epstein was a partner with the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. In private practice, Judge Epstein represented a wide range of clients in a wide range of civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts around the country and before federal agencies in Washington. Throughout his career in private practice, he made a substantial commitment to pro bono work, including serving as a volunteer in the Family Court’s Self-Help Center.

Judge Epstein served on the D.C. Court of Appeals’ Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law from 1998 to 2008, including the last eight years as chair. He was involved in a variety of D.C. Bar activities. He was Vice Chair of the D.C. Bar Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee when it recommended a comprehensive revision of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct that the Court of Appeals adopted effective in 2007. He also served on the D.C. Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Committee and on both the Steering Committee and the Court Rules Committee of the D.C. Bar Section on Courts, Lawyers, and the Administration of Justice.

Judge Epstein is married and the father of two adult daughters.