FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, April 15, 2005
ANNAPOLIS - Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today appointed Circuit Court Judge Patrick L. Woodward to the Court of Special Appeals, filling a 7 th Appellate Judicial Circuit seat representing Montgomery County. Judge Woodward replaces Judge Andrew L. Sonner, who reached mandatory retirement age last year.
"I am pleased to appoint Judge Woodward, who was determined by a panel of lawyers and laypeople to be legally and fully professionally qualified for this seat," said Governor Ehrlich. "His experience and ability will serve the best interests of the citizens of Maryland during his term."
Judge Woodward, 56, most recently served as Circuit Court Judge for Montgomery County, a position he had held since 1998. As a Circuit Court Judge, he presided over a broad array of criminal and civil litigation, including disability discrimination, medical and legal malpractice, real estate transactions, and patent contracts. He previously served as Judge of the District Court for Montgomery County, where he presided over civil, criminal, traffic, juvenile, and domestic violence cases. He earned the 1996 Champion for Children Award from the Maryland State Foster Care Review Board and the 1997 Outstanding Jurist Award from the Montgomery County Bar Association. He earned his B.A. from Princeton University in 1970 and his Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1973. He and his wife, Patricia, live in Rockville, and his daughter, Carlotta, is in the private practice of law in Rockville.
Judge Woodward is appointed to serve until November 2006 when he will stand for election to continue in office for a ten-year term. This is a recess appointment, subject to confirmation by the Maryland State Senate in the 2006 Session of the General Assembly. Judge Woodward was recommended by the Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission, which was responsible for conducting interviews and reviewing all available information on applicants before recommending to the Governor, the most qualified candidates for filling the seat.
Statewide judicial nominating commissions were established by Executive Order in 1970 to propose nominees to the Governor for appointment to the Judiciary. Governor Ehrlich continued the judicial nominating commission process through Executive Order 01.01.2003.12.