JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSIONS

TRIAL COURTS JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSIONS


[photo, Maryland Judicial Center, 187 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland] c/o Human Resources Division
Administrative Office of the Courts
Maryland Judicial Center, 187 Harry S Truman Parkway, 4th floor, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-1271; fax: (410) 260-1736


Maryland Judicial Center, 187 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, February 2020. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


Nominees for judges of the Circuit Courts and the District Court of Maryland are recommended by sixteen trial courts judicial nominating commissions. These commissions were authorized by the Governor in 1970 and began operation in 1971 as the Governor's Commissions on Trial Court Judicial Selection (Executive Order, July 17, 1970). In 1991, they were reorganized as Trial Court Judicial Nominating Commissions (Executive Order 01.01.1991.05). The Commissions again were reorganized in 2003 and 2007 (Executive Order 01.01.2003.12; Executive Order 01.01.2007.08). Additional members were added in July 2007 (Executive Order 01.01.2007.11). In 2008 and 2015, further charges were implemented with the Governor becoming the sole appointive authority in 2015 (Executive Order 01.01.2008.04; Executive Order 01.01.2015.09).

Each trial courts judicial nominating commission consists of thirteen members appointed by the Governor, who chooses the chair. Four of these members are nominated by the local bar association. Terms extend to the date of qualification of the Governor after election, and until their successors are duly chosen (Executive Order 01.01.2023.04).

The Administrative Office of the Courts serves as secretariat to each commission.


1st COMMISSION DISTRICT (Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties)
Appointed by Governor:
Ernest I. Cornbrooks III, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2023
Mark P. Brennan, Esq.; Hugh T. Cropper IV, Esq.; Howard H. Crossan; Michelle R. Fager, Esq.; Stephen G. Frey; Carolyn Palley Mathers, Esq.; Kelley Spahn McFadden, Esq.; Joseph E. Morse, Esq.; Catherine N. Smoot-Haselnus, M.D.; Heather E. Stansbury, Esq.; Louis H. Taylor; Ajene M. Turnbull, Esq.. Terms expire 2023.

2nd COMMISSION DISTRICT (Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties)
Appointed by Governor:
John M. Hall, Jr., Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2023
Appointed by Governor: Gary A. Brown III, Esq.; Jessica A. DuHoffman, Esq.; Pamela L. Duke-Olinick, Esq.; Patricia Barker Fitzgerald, Esq.; Patricia Joan Ozman Horsey; Keely F. Marczyk; Eileen M. Shannon McClellan, Esq.; Jennifer L. Moore; Patrick J. Palmer, Esq.; Andrea M. Fulton Rhodes; William Foster Riddlle, Esq.; Dwight E. Thomey, Esq. Terms expire 2023.

3rd COMMISSION DISTRICT (Baltimore County)
Appointed by Governor:
Jason M. St. John, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Rukaayat Balogun, Esq.; Zarena Sita Cason, Esq.; Brian M. Cathell, Esq.; Leonard J. Grossman, Esq.; Alison D. Kohler, Esq.; Scott P. Kurlander, Esq.; Emily C. Malarkey, Esq.; Jose Antonio Molina, Esq.; Noelle W. Newman, Esq.; Wendy L. Shiff, Esq.; Tony W. Torain II, Esq.; Tammy L. Turner, Esq. Terms expire 2027.

4th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Harford County)
Appointed by Governor:
Kimberly L. Wagner, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2023
Margaret A. Attanasio, Esq.; Rebecca A. Fleming, Esq.; Mary Teresa Garland, Esq.; Rajiv K. Goel, Esq.; Francis J. Henninger, Jr., Esq.; Robert S. Lynch, Esq.; Max Dunham Miller, Jr., Esq.; George S. Robinson IV, Esq.; James B. Rutledge III, Esq.; Diane L. Sengstacke, Esq.; James D. Thornton; Albert J. A. Young, Esq. Terms expire 2023.

5th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Allegany & Garrett Counties)
Appointed by Governor:
Nicholas J. Monteleone, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2023
Robert A. Alderson, Esq.; Kathleen A. Breighner; S. Kristan Carter; George W. Evans; Donald S. Goldbloom, Esq.; Glen G. Hanna, Esq.; Jonathan M. Hutcherson; Bruce A. Kirkwood, Esq.; Christian W. Mash, Esq.; Amanda D. Mattingly, Esq.; Arnold F. Phillips, Esq.; Elizabeth A. (Beth) Thomas Tanner. Terms expire 2023.

6th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Washington County)
Appointed by Governor:
D. Bruce Poole, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Mary C. Baykan; David C. Harbin, Esq.; Erika Garrott Johnson, Esq.; Brian A. Kane, Esq.; Paul Francis Kemp, Esq.; Sarah McKelvey Mollett-Gaumer, Esq.; Tereance Rayshaun Moore; Aitza Haddad Núñez, Ph.D.; R. David Pembroke, Esq.; Alison C. Peteranecz, Esq.; Thomas Edward Robins, Esq. ; Margaret Lynn Williams, Esq. Terms expire 2027.

7th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Anne Arundel County)
Appointed by Governor:
Elizabeth Ysia Leight, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Magaly Delisse Bittner, Esq.; Andrew T. Burnett, Esq.; Mandeep S. Chhabra, Esq.; Philip E. Culpepper, Esq.; P. Joseph Donahue, Esq.; James E. Keatts, Esq.; Jessica A. Quincosa, Esq.; Susan Stoddart Shapiro, Esq.; Michelle Dawn Smith, Esq.; Jamaal W. (Jay) Stafford, Esq.; Doris Green Walker, Esq.; Beverly L. Winstead, Esq. Terms expire 2027.

8th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Carroll County)
Appointed by Governor:
Timothy C. Burke, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2023
Edwin G. Beane; William O'Brien Finch, Jr., Esq.; Melissa O. Hockensmith, Esq.; Judson Kepner Larrimore, Esq.; Karen Bosley Miller, Esq.; Danie Engles Ridgway, Esq.; Samuel Maddox Riley, Esq.; Michael G. Ritchey, Esq.; Aristidis H. (Harry) Sirinakis; William E. Wagner, Jr.; Debra L. Wynne, Esq.; one vacancy. Terms expire 2023.

9th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Howard County)
Appointed by Governor:
Alan C. Cason, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Ian D. Anthony, Esq.; Lori-Ann Bellan, Esq.; David S. Coaxum, Esq.; Alicia Gross Cummins, Esq.; Jason G. Downs; Opeyemi A. Glover, Esq.; Heather R. McCabe, Esq.; Tracy C. Miller, Esq.; Moyah K. Panda, Esq.; Tiffany M. Releford, Esq.; Marni B. Schwartz, Esq.; Dillon C. Yeung, Esq. Terms expire 2027.

10th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Frederick County)
Appointed by Governor:
Denise A. Hicks Brown, Esq.,, Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Carla N. Clarke, Esq.; Lawrence E. Finegan, Esq.; Shondell H. Foster, Esq.; Scott M. Hartinger, Esq.; Joyce Roldan King, Esq.; Elizabeth Rae Long, Esq.; Gwendolen C. Lesh McLeod, Esq.; Teresa A. Mena; Lorraine M.B. Prete, Esq.; Rachel O. Reyes, Esq.; David A. Severn, Esq.; David C. Weaver, Esq. Terms expire 2027.

11th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Montgomery County)
Appointed by Governor:
Andrew V. Jezic, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Monique Tara Abrishami, Esq.; Thomas M. DeGonia II, Esq.; Carolyn Demougeot, Esq.; Nicole Y. Drew, Esq.; Casey Weinberg Florence, Esq.; C. William Frick, Esq.; Michelle Parikh, Esq.; Sydney Marie Patterson, Esq.; Edwin Cortes Sanchez, Esq.; Nina Schichor, Esq.; Derek G. Turner, Esq.; one vacancy. Terms expire 2027.

12th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Calvert & St. Mary's Counties)
Appointed by Governor:
Maria I. Icaza, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2023
Frances P. Eagan; Frank J. Grasso; Christopher T. Longmore, Esq.; John B. Norris III, Esq.; Leslie Florestano Peek, Esq.; Stacey M. Rappaport; John Edward Ray, Esq.; Stephen A. Schmeiser; Alycia E. Stack, Esq.; Kyle B. Tores, Esq.; David A. Weiskopf, Esq.; Garland Wayne Wrenn. Terms expire 2023.

13th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Prince George's County)
Appointed by Governor:
Bridgette Ann Greer, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Patricia A. Arzuaga, Esq.; Robert C. Bonsib, Esq.; Robert Charles Bonsib, Esq.; Janelle Ryan-Colbert, Esq.; Bradley S. Farrar, Esq.; Manuel R. Geraldo, Esq.; Tara H. Jackson; Christine H. Murphy, Esq.; Obie Patterson; April N. Richardson, Esq.; Robyn Seabrook, Esq.; Erica J. Suter, Esq.; Steven B. Vinick, Esq.; Zachary W. Worshtil, Esq. Terms expire 2027.

14th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Baltimore City)
Appointed by Governor:
Divya Potdar, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Catherine A. Bledsoe, Esq.; Douglas L. Colbert, Esq.; Diane D'Aiutolo Collins, Esq.; Chelsea Jones Crawford, Esq.; Aaron B. DeGraffenreidt, Esq.; Angela G. Galeano, Esq.; Venroy K. July, Esq.; Kaliope Parthemos, Esq.; Valda G. Ricks, Esq.; Benjamin S. Salisbury, Esq.; Alicia L. Wilson, Esq.; Mark A. Yost, Esq. Terms expire 2027.

15th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Charles County)
Appointed by Governor:
Scott A. Bowling, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2023
Daniel P. Creighton; Frederick E. Davis, Sr.; Catherine Spalding McClure; Brooke A. O'Connell, Esq.; Matthew D. Trollinger, Esq.; Patrick D. Troxler, Esq.; Jennifer M. Walker, Esq.; Saundra O. Washington; Kevin B. Wedding; Oluwaseun O. (Seun) Williams, Esq.; M. Janice Wilson; one vacancy. Terms expire 2023.

16th COMMISSION DISTRICT (Caroline, Dorchester & Talbot Counties)
Appointed by Governor:
Curtis H. Booth, Esq., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2023
Deborah F. Camper, Esq.; Charlotte Lee Gordon, Esq.; Michael Jay Kopen, Esq.; William W. (Sandy) McAllister, Jr., Esq.; Kisha Towala Petticolas, Esq.; Kenneth D. Schisler, Esq.; Stephanie Ann Shipley, Esq.; Robert Alan Thornton, Jr., Esq.; Mirta Valdes-Bradner; Sharon M. Van Emburgh, Esq.; James T. Worm, Esq.; David H. Wilson. Terms expire 2023.

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