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Maryland Manual 1994-1995
elected at each quadrennial election, and until their
successors are duly chosen. The Administrative Of-
fice of the Courts is the secretariat to all commis-
sions.
COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL
DISABILITIES
Chairperson: Theodore G. Bloom, Judge, Court
of Special Appeals, 1995
Appointed by Governor: Martha Eleanor Church,
Ph.D., 1993; Nathan Patz, Esq., 1993; Charles O.
Fisher, Sr., Esq., 1995; G. R. Hovey Johnson, 1995;
George J. Helinski, 1996; Barbara Kerr Howe, 1996.
Howard E. Wallin, Executive Secretary
University of Baltimore School of Law
1420 North Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 837-4628
BUDGET (CODE 22.01.00.07)
....................... FY1992 ............. FY1993 ............. FY1994
Funds ................. (actual) ........ (actual) .......... (approp.)
General ............. $12,200 ...... $12,200. ...... $12,200
Total Funds ..... $12,200 ...... $12,200. ...... $12,200
Staff
Authorized ............0 ........... 0.............0
Contractual (FTE) ......0 ........... 0.............0
Total Staff ............0 ........... 0.............0
The Commission on Judicial Disabilities was
established in 1966 by constitutional amendment
(Chapter 773, Acts of 1965; Const., Art. IV, sec.
4A). The Commission is empowered to investigate
complaints against members of the Maryland Judi-
ciary. It conducts hearings or takes informal action
as it deems necessary, provided that the judge in-
volved has been properly notified
To determine whether to initiate formal proceed-
ings, the Commission conducts a preliminary investi-
gation after which a hearing may be held regarding the
judge's alleged misconduct or disability. If, as a result
of these hearings, the Commission, by majority vote,
decides that a judge should be retired, removed, cen-
sured, or publicly reprimanded, it recommends that
course of action to the Court of Appeals. The Court
of Appeals may order a more severe discipline of the
judge than the Commission recommends. The Com-
mission also has the power, in limited situations, to
issue a private reprimand.
The Commission's primary function is to receive,
investigate, and hear complaints against Maryland
judges. Formal complaints must be in writing and
notarized, but no particular form is required. Indi-
viduals also may write or call the Commission to
express dissatisfaction concerning the outcome of a
case or some judicial ruling.
The Commission also supplies judicial nominat-
ing commissions with confidential information con-
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Judicial Agencies /661
cerning reprimands to or pending charges against
those judges seeking nomination to judicial offices
(Md. Rule 1227).
The Commission consists of seven members ap-
pointed by the Governor. Members include four judges
presently serving on the bench, two members of the
bar who have been engaged in legal practice for at least
fifteen years, and one lay person representing the public
(Code Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, secs.
13-401 through 13-403; Md. Rule 1227).
STATE BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS
Charles H. Dorsey, Jr., Esq., Chairperson, 1993
Bedford T. Bentley, Jr., Secretary
People's Resource Center, Room 1.210
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032—2026 (410) 514-7044
BUDGET (CODE 22.01.00.07)
........................ FY1992 ............... FY1993 .............. FY1994
Funds ................ (actual) .......... (actual) ........... (approp.)
General ............. $469,917 ..... $529,386. ..... $601,010
Total Funds .... $469,917 ..... $529,386. ..... $601,010
Staff
Authorized. ........... 5 ........... 7. ............ 5
Contractual (FTE)...... 0 ........... 0. ............ 0
Total Staff ............ 5 ........... 7............. 5
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
COURT OF APPEALS
STATE BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS
Charles H. Dorsey, Jr., Esq., Chairperson, 1993
Appointed by Court of Appeals: Christopher B. Kehoe,
Esq., 1994; Robert H. Reinhart, Esq., 1995; Pamela
J. White, Esq., 1995; William F. Abell, Jr., Esq., 1996;
Jonathan A. Azrael, Esq., 1996; John F. Mudd, Esq.,
1997.
SECRETARY
Bedford T. Bentley, Jr......... (410) 514-7044
CLERK
Joanne G. Dowgwillo. ..... (410) 514-7044
Originally, the various local courts were author-
ized to examine persons seeking to be admitted to
the practice of law in Maryland. Examination of
attorneys remained a function of local courts until
1898, when the State Board of Law Examiners was
created (Chapter 139, Laws of 1898).
The Board and its staff administer bar examina-
tions twice annually in February and July. Each is a
two-day examination of between nine and twelve
hours of writing time.
Since 1972, the Board has used the Multistate
Bar Examination (MBE) as part of the overall ex-
amination. The MBE is the nationally recognized
law examination consisting of multiple-choice ques-
tions, prepared and graded under the direction of
the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The
MBE test covers six subjects: contracts, criminal
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