Honorable Lori E. Parker was appointed a Magistrate Judge by Chief Judge Rufus G. King III on January 20, 2006. Magistrate Judge Parker is a native Washingtonian and a life-long resident of the District of Columbia. Ms. Parker graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University in 1986 with a degree in psychology. She received her law degree from George Washington University in 1989, and a master's degree in developmental psychology from Johns Hopkins University in 1999.

Prior to her appointment as a Magistrate Judge in the Family Court of the D.C. Superior Court, Ms. Parker served in all three branches of District government and on numerous task forces and committees. She most recently served as the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders from June 2004 to December 2005, following her appointment by Mayor Anthony A. Williams in January 2004 to oversee the city's social services and public health agencies as the Interim Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders. In 1994, Ms. Parker also served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Family Services Division of the Office of the Corporation Counsel. Upon her graduation from law school in 1989, Ms. Parker served as a law clerk to the Honorable Iraline G. Barnes (deceased) in D.C. Superior Court. From 1990 to 1992, following her clerkship, she worked as an associate with the former Wilkes, Artis, Hedrick and Lane law firm.