Monday, January 4, 2016

Judicial Appointments Announced by Governor

Over the course of the month of December 2015, Governor Larry Hogan announced the appointment of several individuals to judicial vacancies throughout the state of Maryland.  The governor made the appointments after reviewing submissions from judicial nominating commissions and interviewing numerous judicial candidates.  Both, Associates Tara Barnes and Lauren Baio are members of bar association judicial selections committees that met with and interviewed candidates as part of the vetting process.  

Below are the names and backgrounds of the appointees:
William Michael Dunn will fill a vacancy on the District Court for Baltimore City. William Dunn is currently a Family Magistrate in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. His previous experience includes working with Klemkowski & Panos, P.A., where he litigated in State District and Circuit Courts and appeared before the Court of Special Appeals. He has also served as a civil mediator for the Circuit and District Courts for Baltimore City, and as a settlement conference facilitator for the family division of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Magistrate Dunn graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Kent Joseph Boles, Jr. will also fill a vacancy on the District Court for Baltimore City. Kent Boles is currently a solo practitioner at the Law Offices of Kent J. Boles, Jr, where he focuses on personal injury claims as well as criminal and serious traffic violation cases. His previous experience includes founding Boles and Minkove, and working with Goodman, Meagher & Enoch, LLP. Mr. Boles graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Michele Denise Hotten will fill a vacancy on the Maryland Court of Appeals. Michele Hotten has been a judge for the past twenty-one years, serving on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, and the District Court for Prince George’s County. Her previous experience includes private practice and service in Prince George’s County Government. Judge Hotten graduated from the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C.

Kevin Joseph Mahoney will fill a vacancy on the Circuit Court for Harford County. Kevin Mahoney has practiced law for 28 years almost exclusively in the state circuit and district courts, and is currently a shareholder at Snee, Mahoney, Lutche & Helmlinger, P.A. His previous experience includes private practice and clerking for a Baltimore County Circuit Court judge. Mr. Mahoney graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law in Baltimore, Maryland.


Donna McCabe Schaeffer will fill a vacancy on the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Donna Schaeffer has practiced law for over 30 years, and is currently a director at Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, P.A. Her previous experience also includes professional mediation and clerking for a Maryland Court of Appeals associate judge. Ms. Schaeffer graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law and has been voted a “What’s Up Annapolis” Leading Lawyer in Family Law by her peers each year for the past six years.

Stacy Wiederle McCormack will fill another vacancy on the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Stacy McCormack is currently a sole practitioner in Annapolis, focusing on criminal and personal injury cases. Her previous experience also includes working at the Public Defender’s Office, Jaklitsch Law Group, and clerking for a Maryland Court of Special Appeals judge. Ms. McCormack graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Harry Carl Storm will fill a vacancy on the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Harry Storm has practiced law for more than 35 years, and is currently a shareholder at Lerch, Early & Brewer. His previous experience also includes helping to form Abrams, West & Storm, P.C. and serving as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Montgomery County. Mr. Storm is also the incoming President of the Maryland State Bar Association, a current member of the arbitration panel of neutrals of the American Arbitration Association, and has previously held leadership positions in both the Maryland State Bar Association and the Bar Association of Montgomery County. Mr. Storm graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Lisa Louise Broten will fill a vacancy on the Howard County District Court. Lisa Broten has served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Howard County for the past 17 years. During this time she has served in various roles and has interacted with both the Howard County Circuit Court and the Howard County District Court. Her previous experience also includes interning as an Asper Fellow with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office. Ms. Broten graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law. 


These appointments will take effect immediately.
Original Press Releases from The Office of Governor Hogan are here.