You do not have to meet many judges before discovering that looks have little to do with whether someone gets appointed judge. Being friends the right people can help. Judges are appointed by the legislature. In Fairfax the recommendation process has two steps. The Committee makes its recommendations which can be Not Qualified, Qualified, Recommended or Highly Recommended. Then the members of the Fairfax Bar will vote endorsed, not endorsed or no opinion. These results are passed on to the legislature for consideration in choosing judges. Sometimes the legislature will follow the local bar association recommendations. Sometimes the legislature will go with someone else.
These were the attorneys who sought the last two vacancies in the General District Court. In this instance Cantrell and Stoney were appointed. Both had previously served as substitute judges, so they already had on the job experience.
http://www.fairfaxbar.org/general/custom.asp?page=JSFall2015_GDC
The General District Court hears misdemeanor criminal cases, is involved in the early stages of some felony cases, and deals with low value civil litigation and evictions, so many candidates in Fairfax tend to be attorneys who do criminal prosecutions, criminal defense or collections work. Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court tends to have judges with divorce law, Department of Social Services or criminal law background.