The Honorable Joyce Hens Green

 Joyce Hens Green, a devoted mother and grandmother, friend to many, pioneering attorney, and federal judge who blazed a trail for women in the legal profession, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 10, 2024, at Brightview Senior Living in Towson, Maryland. She was 95 years old. The cause of death was acute myeloid leukemia, diagnosed in May. Her last five months included many special moments visiting with family and friends. 

Born on November 13, 1928, in New York City to Swiss immigrant parents, Ruth Joyce Martha Hens “Joyce,” overcame significant challenges throughout her life, including being briefly paralyzed with polio from the waist down. Her father, a psychiatrist, saw the family’s fortunes dwindle during the Great Depression, prompting a move from a Park Avenue home to more modest accommodations. Eventually, the family settled in Catonsville, Maryland, where her father worked as a staff psychiatrist, and they lived on the grounds of Spring Grove Hospital. 

Initially encouraged by her parents to pursue a career in medicine, Joyce enrolled at the University of Maryland after graduating from Towson High School at just 16. However, she soon discovered her true passion lay in the law and was only able to settle her promise to her father by completing a pre-med track, not without private tutoring in organic chemistry by her beloved brother, Russ. After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1949, she first attended the University of Maryland School of Law in Baltimore switching to George Washington University’s School of Law after her first year so that she could accelerate her completion of her JD, as her mother was dying of pancreatic cancer. She graduated in 1951 as one of only six women in her class and passed the bar one day before she formerly graduated. Her entrance into the legal profession was marked by the difficulty in initially getting a job. She “hung her shingle” and with great determination and grit, joined a select few women in the “trenches” of the DC courts. She made her mark in several bar associations and met the love of her life, Samuel “Sam” Green who she married in 1965.

 Joyce spent 17 years in private practice, six with her dear friend and future colleague on the federal bench, June Green. She partnered after marriage for two years with her husband Sam and established the firm Green & Green, retiring from the practice with the birth of her son “Jimmy.” Her reputation for excellence and commitment to justice led to her appointment to the D.C. Superior Court in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson, where she served for 11 years. In March 1979, President Jimmy Carter nominated her to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where she would serve with distinction for over two decades. Joyce was revered for her decisive rulings and her welcoming demeanor. She became a mentor to many women lawyers and judges, inspiring a new generation to follow in her footsteps. 

Throughout her judicial career, Joyce was known for her fierce dedication to civil rights and due process. She was brilliant although humble and courageous, exemplifying the importance of integrity in every aspect of her work, demanding civility in her courtroom. She displayed empathy, compassion, firmness when needed but above all the importance of the role of the judiciary, and the rule of law. Among her most notable rulings was her involvement in the sprawling BCCI bank fraud case, where she ruled that the bank engaged in money laundering and other financial crimes. This case became notorious for its complexity and scale, representing one of the largest financial scandals in U.S. history. 

Joyce also played a crucial role in the Guantanamo Bay detainee cases, where she ruled that the detainees had the right to habeas corpus and due process to challenge their detention. This decision was later affirmed in the landmark Supreme Court ruling, Boumediene v. Bush (2008), underscoring her commitment to upholding constitutional rights even in the face of national security concerns. 

In addition to these landmark cases, she presided over significant litigation involving the aftermath of the Air Florida Flight 90 crash in 1982, where an airliner struck the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. Her diligence and sensitivity in resolving numerous settlements for the victims' families earned her widespread praise, as she expedited the process for those grieving the loss of loved ones. 

Her judicial legacy extended with her appointment in 1985 by Chief Justice Rehnquist to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and in 1987 as its presiding judge. She recently recounted this time on the court, and she recognized this service as her greatest contribution in her tremendous career. 

Joyce also became a beloved figure among Washington football fans when she resolved a contentious union dispute involving the Washington Redskins in 1993. Her ruling allowed the team to field its players for the season finale, showcasing her ability to balance the interests of justice with those of the community. 

Her contributions to the legal profession were recognized through numerous awards. In 2021, she received the prestigious George Washington University’s Monumental Alumni Award, a special recognition for those alumni that “have made an impact on the world through their work and service.” In 1979, she was named "Woman Lawyer of the Year" by the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia and in 1994 the judicial honoree of the year by the DC Bar. She also received the Professionalism Award by the American Inns of Court, the Intelligence Under Law Award from the National Security Agency, the Edmund J. Randolph Award from the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Agency Seal Medallion from the Central Intelligence Agency. 

Joyce's personal life was equally rich and deeply fulfilling. She married Sam, a family law specialist, in 1965, and together they created a loving home. Her family was complete with the adoption of Mike and June in 1970 and brought her much joy having three gregarious children. After Sam’s untimely passing in 1983, she often reflected on his support as instrumental to her success. She initially turned down the judicial appointment to focus on her family, but with her husband’s encouragement, she pursued a career that would leave an indelible mark on the legal landscape. Her strength was never more evident when Sam passed, her resilience and resolve to “keep things together” for her teenage children was inspiring. 

Balancing her demanding career with family was of paramount importance to her. Her children vividly recall her coming home, immediately putting down her briefcase, donning an apron, and transitioning into her role as a mother. Joyce was fully engaged in her children’s school and activities, often staying up late to help with homework and school projects, quartering dozens of oranges for soccer games, and baking chocolate cookies for family and friends. Her Great Falls home was often a gathering spot for her children’s friends and was also the location of her annual clerks gathering with their families for a summer cook out. During her time on the FISA court, federal agents visiting her home were often greeted with warm cookies straight out of the oven. In a recent visit and shared with her by her dear friend and colleague Royce Lamberth who succeeded her as the presiding judge of the FISA court, was her colleague on federal bench and attended many “Redskins” games together, she was a “tough act to follow with the federal agents, especially in the cookie department.” 

Her “retirement” chapter was particularly rewarding, as she returned to Baltimore in 2000. Initially commuting to the court in Washington by train was a relief compared to the long and arduous drive from Great Falls, Virginia. Joyce embraced her new role as a grandmother with fervor, relishing in her grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments. Her generous spirit extended to her caregivers in her later years, who were treated to countless hours of her engaging spirited storytelling and entertainment. 

An avid football fan, Joyce held season tickets to the Washington Redskins for many years before switching her allegiance to the Baltimore Ravens. She looked forward to watching Sunday afternoon games with her family, creating cherished memories and much excitement. 

Joyce’s family extended beyond her children to include her beloved law clerks, many of whom have recently noted the profound impact as a mentor that she had on their professional and personal lives. She was incredibly proud of their accomplishments, performed a handful of their weddings, and remained in close touch with them throughout her life. In 2018, her law clerks and friends gathered to celebrate her 90th birthday and her 50 years on the bench. 

Joyce leaves behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and profound impact on the legal community and beyond. She is survived by her three children and spouses: Mike (Dawn), Heather (June)(Jerry) and Jim (Beth); her stepson, Dr. Phillip Green (Sharon); her 13 grandchildren and beloved nieces and nephews, who brought her immense joy. The family will forever cherish the memories of her unwavering love, strength, and guidance.

 In accordance with her final wishes, Joyce will be inurned alongside her husband at Arlington Cemetery, with services held at Fort Myer Chapel, where they were married. Arrangements are also being made for a memorial/celebration service organized by the United States District Court in the coming months. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joyce’s honor to the George Washington University, Jack Friedenthal Scholarship Fund, providing financial assistance to students and reflecting her lifelong commitment to service and justice. 

She will be deeply missed but forever remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, champion for justice and the rule of law, and a friend to all who knew her. 

To read the obituary written by Harrison Smith of the Washington Post Please click: Washington Post Article.