MEET THE JUDGES
Erik S. Atas
Associate Judge for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Immediately prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Atas worked in private practice at Zirkin & Schmerling Law. At Zirkin & Schmerling Law, Judge Atas was the head of their Criminal Defense department. He represented hundreds of clients charged with felonies and misdemeanors in every jurisdiction of Maryland’s District and Circuit Courts, as well as civil cases in District and Circuit Courts and at the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Atas served as an Assistant Public Defender at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender from 2006 to 2012. During his time with the Public Defender’s Office, Judge Atas defended thousands of people charged with crimes at District and Circuit courthouses throughout Baltimore City.
Myshala E. Middleton
Associate Judge for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Middleton worked as an Assistant Chief Counsel in the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor at the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During her tenure, Judge Middleton handled removal proceedings before the Executive Office of Immigration Review along with other special assignments. Judge Middleton was recognized in 2020 with an OPLA PLA Award for her work on the COVID-19 litigation. In addition to her job with DHS Judge Middleton served as a Member of on the Baltimore City Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Middleton served as an Assistant Attorney General of Maryland in the Contract Litigation Unit and in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. She prosecuted people for Medicaid fraud, and for abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults throughout the State.
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Barry G. Williams
Associate Judge for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Immediately prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Williams served as Special Litigation Counsel in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He reviewed, investigated and prosecuted hate crimes and law enforcement misconduct matters nationwide, while supervising and mentoring junior attorneys in the Division.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Williams served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City from 1989 to 1997. He prosecuted hundreds of cases including murder, robbery, assault, narcotics and weapon violations. The Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City (BCSAO) is the largest local prosecutorial office in the state of Maryland and prosecutes over 40,000 cases each year.
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