Virginia Film Festival

After presiding over several historically significant cases during his nearly 31 years of service on the federal bench, Judge Robert R. Merhige, Jr. has attracted national attention. Following his appointment to the U.S. District Court by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967, the Judge received several landmark cases, sealing his place in history. Most famously, Judge Merhige ruled in favor of public schools’ desegregation in Richmond, VA–a decision met with the extreme public backlash and even threats to his life. This biographical documentary examines one man’s absolute love for the law, great personal courage, and unfailing fair-mindedness that allowed him to do what he simply referred to as “his job.”

Supported by Hirschler

The Judge – Characters, Cases, Courage is part of the Spotlight on Virginia Filmmaking presented by Virginia Film Office