Governor O’Malley last week announced the chairs and members of the trial courts judicial nominating commissions for the State of Maryland.  The commissions assist the Governor in appointing Maryland trial court judges by recommending those applicants who are legally and most fully professionally qualified to serve as judges.

“Today, we are asking over 140 of our neighbors from throughout Maryland to come together and help me select the most qualified judiciary possible,” said Governor O’Malley.  “We have assembled a group of highly-competent professionals from a diversity of backgrounds who represent the face of Maryland and who will help shape the future of Maryland’s judicial system.”

Of the Governor’s appointments to the sixteen trial court commissions, 53 % are male,

47 % are female, 24 % are African American, 6 % are Asian/Pacific Americans, 5 % are Hispanic and 1% of the appointments are other. 

The lawyer members of the commissions reflect a diversity of legal practices and include civil, criminal, and family law practitioners.  The commissions also include citizens ranging from business leaders to education professionals to community activists.  All members of the commissions have demonstrated professional and personal involvement in the communities in which they live and work.

Under the Governor’s prior executive order on the judicial nominating process, the commissions will meet each time a judicial vacancy occurs in that commission’s district, will research and interview judicial applicants, and will recommend to the Governor those applicants who are legally and most fully professionally qualified to serve as judges.  Each commission shall also encourage qualified candidates, from a diversity of backgrounds, to apply for judicial appointment.      

The trial court commissions exist for sixteen different trial court districts in Maryland:
·        Commission District 1 – Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties
·        Commission District 2 – Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s Counties
·        Commission District 3 – Baltimore County
·        Commission District 4 – Harford County
·        Commission District 5 – Allegany and Garrett Counties
·        Commission District 6 – Washington County
·        Commission District 7 – Anne Arundel County
·        Commission District 8 – Carroll County
·        Commission District 9 – Howard County
·        Commission District 10 – Frederick County
·        Commission District 11 – Montgomery County
·        Commission District 12 – Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties
·        Commission District 13 – Prince George’s County
·        Commission District 14 – Baltimore City
·        Commission District 15 – Charles County
·        Commission District 16 – C