THE SELECTION PROCESS

All five of the Baltimore City Sitting Judges have successfully pursued the long path leading to appointment to the Circuit Court bench.  The process is guided by an Executive Order of the Governor to promote selection of a diverse group of highly qualified, dedicated candidates with broad support in the bar and community.

When a court vacancy occurs, the vacancy is advertised publicly.  Each interested applicant must complete an exhaustive application detailing her or his personal history, legal qualifications, work experience, and community involvement.

As many as twelve different bar associations, including the Maryland Bar Association, the Bar Association of Baltimore City, the Monumental Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association, review the applications and interview the applicants.

After being vetted by the bar associations, the applicants appear before the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for Baltimore City, comprised of distinguished members of the bar and lay members from the broader community.  After interviewing the applicants and considering the recommendations from the bar association committees and many other sources, the Nominating Commission recommends to the Governor those candidates it finds to be “legally and most fully professionally qualified” for appointment.

After conducting his own review of the candidates, the Governor typically interviews all of the candidates before selecting one candidate for appointment to the bench.

For the Circuit Court, the Governor’s appointment lasts until the next state general election.  The judge must run for election to a 15-year term.