Governor Hogan Appoints Eight New Maryland Judges

Governor Larry Hogan recently announced the appointments of eight new judges across the state of Maryland, including:

• Judge ShaRon Marie Grayson Kelsey, Judge Jared Michael McCarthy, and Judge Wytonja LaCheryl Curry to the Prince George’s County Circuit Court; 
• Judge Patrick Joseph Devine to the Charles County Circuit Court;
• Judge Andrew Martin Battista to the Baltimore County Circuit Court;
• Judge Kerwin Anthony Miller, Sr. to the District Court for Harford County;
• Judge Joseph Michael Stanalonis to the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court; and 
• Judge Sidney Allen Butcher to the District Court for Anne Arundel County.

Prior to her appointment, Judge ShaRon Kelsey worked as a solo practitioner and served as the sole contract attorney for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services since 2011. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland and her Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center. 

Judge Jared McCarthy worked as the County Attorney for the Prince George’s County Office of Law prior to his appointment. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Salisbury State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Judge Wytonja Curry holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she worked as a litigation attorney with various firms within the state. She also served as a clerk to Judge Richard H. Sothoron, Jr., at the Prince George’s County Circuit Court. 

Judge Patrick Devine previously worked as a partner in a firm located in Prince George’s County. He also served as a volunteer lawyer with the Family Law Pro-Bono clinic in Charles County. Judge Devine earned his Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia Wesleyan College and his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Judge Andrew Battista has worked as a solo practitioner in Baltimore County since 1993. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Towson University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Judge Kerwin Miller received his Bachelor of Science from Mary Washington College and his Juris Doctor from the Southwestern University School of Law. Prior to his appointment, Judge Miller served as an Administrative Law Judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings since 2016. He also previously worked as Deputy State’s Attorney for Cecil County.

Judge Joseph Stanalonis graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Previously, he held multiple positions in the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, including District Court Chief, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney, and most recently, Deputy State’s Attorney.

Judge Sidney Butcher, prior to his appointment, served as an Assistant Attorney General for Maryland. He has also worked with Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, and worked as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. Judge Butcher holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida A&M University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law.

Congratulations to the new Judges! 

-Elizabeth McKelvy, Law Clerk