ANNAPOLIS -- Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today appointed District Court Judges Michael J. Algeo and Thomas L. Craven, and attorney Ronald B. Rubin to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. The three judgeships are the result of Judge Patrick L. Woodward’s elevation to the Court of Special Appeals, the retirement of Judge Dennis M. McHugh and the creation of an additional judgeship by legislation enacted in the 2005 General Assembly Session. All three appointments will serve until the General Election in November 2006.
“I am pleased to appoint Judges Algeo and Craven and Ronald B. Rubin who have been determined by a panel of lawyers and laypeople to be legally and most fully professionally qualified for their respective seats,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Their experience and ability will serve the best interests of the citizens of Maryland during their respective terms.”
Judge Michael J. Algeo has been a District Court Judge since 1999. Previously, Algeo served as the Senior Assistant State’s Attorney in Montgomery County from 1990 to 1999, holding positions as the Felony Trial Team Leader, Felony Screening Team Leader, and a trial attorney for the Major Crimes Unit. He earned his Bachelor of Science from West Chester State University in 1977 and his Juris Doctorate from the American University Washington College of Law in 1984. Algeo has been an adjunct professor at Montgomery College since 1986. Judge Algeo and his wife live in Rockville.
Judge Thomas L. Craven has been a District Court Judge since 1994. Prior to his judgeship, Craven practiced primarily civil and criminal litigation at Lynott and Craven, P.A., in Rockville from 1972 to 1994. Craven has served as a volunteer judge for the Montgomery County Teen Court, as well as the National Law School Moot Court Competition. He is also a certified tutor for the Literacy Council of Montgomery County. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lehigh University in 1964 and his Juris Doctorate from the American University Washington College of Law in 1968. Judge Craven and his wife live in Bethesda.
Ronald Barry Rubin has been a shareholder with Rubin & Rubin, Chartered, in Rockville since 1997. Previously, he was a partner in Brand, Lowell & Ryan, PC, as well as Camhy, Karlinsky, Stein, Razzano & Rubin, LLP, from 1996 to 1997 and 1994 to 1996, respectively. Rubin currently serves as national defense counsel for several companies in mass tort litigation, and special counsel for a variety of non-profit and charitable institutions in the Washington Metropolitan Area. He graduated from Georgetown University in 1977 and received his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law in 1980. He and his wife reside in North Potomac with their two daughters.
Judges Algeo and Craven, and Mr. Rubin were recommended by the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 11, 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.