VA HR151

Kenneth Ronald Melvin retired in 2025 after 16 years as a judge on the Portsmouth Circuit Court, including two terms as chief judge

Served in the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 80th District from 1986 to 2009, where he chaired the Joint Commission on Health Care and contributed to the Virginia State Crime Commission

Earned his bachelor's degree from Colby College in 1974 and law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1977, beginning his career as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice

Provided leadership to community organizations including the Tidewater Legal Aid Society, Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and served as legal counsel for the local NAACP branch

Presided as judge of the first multijurisdictional grand jury in the Hampton Roads Region and served as vice chair of the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission