The Council for Court Excellence held its annual holiday reception, fittingly, at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse. After a fireside chat with US Court of Appeals Chief Judge Merrick Garland and US District Court Chief Judge Richard Roberts, guests gathered round the festively decorated courthouse atrium to hear from CCE president Earl Silbert. Intently listening: Pepco's Jack Strausman, Willkie Farr's Ted Whitehouse, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein, Reed Smith's Doug Spaulding, Davis Wright's Laura Handman, Bryan Cave's Rod Page, former CCE assistant director Priscilla Skillman, Hollingsworth's Bruce Berger and DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

The nonprofit, which is dedicated to strengthening the justice system, also used the occasion to welcome its newest board members. Above with CCE executive director June Kress, left: Goodwill of Greater Washington's Michael Frohm; DC Bar President, Steptoe's Brigida Benitez; CCE board president, DLA Piper's Earl Silbert; O'Melveny's Mary Pat Brown; Fastcase's Phil Rosenthal; and CCE VP, Ullico's Pat McGlone.