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Alumni Success Story

Key Alum Michael Hughes Sworn In As US Marshal for DC Superior Court

Michael Hughes being sworn into office.

Michael Hughes (SPA/MPA ’07) was sworn in on January 13, 2012, as the US Marshal for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, becoming the local courts' first presidentially appointed US Marshal to be a DC resident. Hughes is the fourth U.S. Marshal for the District's local court system since the position was created in 1988, and the third to be nominated by the White House and confirmed by the Senate, which confirmed his appointment in November.

District of Columbia Court of Appeals Chief Judge Eric Washington officiated over the ceremony, which took place in the ceremonial courtroom of the appeals court. Washington noted in his remarks that because Hughes has lived in the District since 2000, “we have someone who not only understands this court system, but who is invested in our court system.”

Hughes will oversee a U.S. Marshals Service office unlike any other in the United States. The U.S. Marshals Service for Superior Court oversees everything from court security and the execution of court orders to investigations into fugitives and serving certain types of warrants.

Hughes kept his remarks brief, but said he was looking forward to coordinating with the many criminal justice agencies in the District. As a resident, he said, “I have a vested interest in the protection of our citizens.”

Nominated by the White House on Sept. 23, Hughes brings 20 years of experience with the U.S. Marshals Service. He spent his career with the agency, which he joined in 1991.

Hughes’ previous positions have included serving in the Witness Security Division, on protection details for a deputy attorney general and on detail to Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.). Most recently, he was in the Tactical Operations Division as chief of the Office of Crisis Services.

Hughes graduated from Montclair State University in New Jersey in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and received a Master of Public Administration degree from American University’s Key Executive Program in 2007. According to Hughes, “Key was instrumental in my personal and professional development. It taught me to analyze situations in many different ways and from many different perspectives. The program made me aware of my leadership strengths and taught me how to build on them.” Michael was also the first recipient of the Donald G. Zauderer Key Executive Leadership Scholarship.