MECHANICS WANTED
HERE COME THE JUDGES: Governor Larry Hogan Announces Judicial Appointments of Pamela Alban, Elizabeth Morris, and Robert Thompson
Fills Vacancies on Anne Arundel County Circuit Court
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced on Sept. 21, 2018, the appointments of Pamela Knoop Alban, Elizabeth Sheree Morris, and Robert Jeffrey Thompson to fill three vacancies on the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. The seats became vacant following the recent retirements of Judge Paul F. Harris, Jr., Judge Paul Goetzke, and Judge Michele Jaklitsch. The governor made the appointments after interviewing nominees sent by the judicial nominating commission.
“The appointment of qualified individuals to serve across our state’s justice system is paramount to upholding our responsibilities to the people of Maryland and the rule of law,” said Governor Hogan. “I have confidence that Ms. Alban, Ms. Morris, and Mr. Thompson will all be strong advocates for the law and will serve the citizens of Anne Arundel County admirably.”
Pamela Alban has spent her entire legal career as a prosecutor in the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s office. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Alban served as the Division Chief for the Special Victims Unit and previously served as the Division Chief of the Sex Offense and Child Abuse Unit. She holds a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and obtained her B.A. from the University of Miami.
Prior to this appointment, Elizabeth Morris served as an attorney with the National Security Agency. She also spent eight years as an Assistant Attorney General where she served in the Contract Litigation Division and worked for the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. Ms. Morris received her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law and her B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Morris is the first African American female judge to be appointed to the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.
Robert Thompson has been a solo practitioner with his own firm since 2011 and served as a volunteer lawyer with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. Mr. Thompson holds a J.D. from the University of Baltimore Law School, an M.A. in Philosophy from St. John’s College, and a B.A. from Northwest Nazarene University.
The appointments are effective immediately.
The Nominees Pool **:
Pamela Knoop Alban
Robert Henry Brooke Cawood
Andrew Brian Greenspan
Michael Lee May
Elizabeth Sheree Morris
Robert Jeffrey Thompson
**John Francis Gunning
**Charles Jay Muskin
**David Patrick Putzi
**Lorrianne Jeanette Rice
Maryland Judicial Vacancies
Pool Candidates
The Judicial Nominating Commissions select and nominate to the Governor persons found by the Commission to be legally and most fully professionally qualified to fill a vacancy. The table includes all current vacancies. Once the close date to a vacancy passes, the names of all applicants will be listed. The public is encouraged to participate in the selection process by submitting written and signed comments concerning the qualifications of an applicant to The Judicial Nominating Commission, c/o The Administrative Office of the Courts, Human Resources, Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Avenue, Building A, First Floor, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The comments must be received at least one week prior to the Commission meeting date shown in the table below.
The Nominating Commission meets to interview all candidates. Thereafter a voting session takes place and the names of nominees are reported to the Governor. When approval is granted by the Governor’s Office, the names of the individuals nominated by the Commission will be listed in the table below.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this table. Please recognize, however, that this list does not constitute official notification of individuals nominated for, or appointed to, a judicial vacancy. Rather, the official list of candidates for a vacancy is compiled by the Administrative Office of the Courts and sent to the Governor’s Office. The Governor’s Office officially notifies the appointed individual and releases an official notice to the public. When an appointment to a vacancy is announced by the Governor’s Office, the name is highlighted in red.
Reason for Vacancy:
Retirement of the Honorable Paul G. Goetzke
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Elizabeth Lynn Adams
Pamela Knoop Alban
Peter George Byrnes, Jr.
Robert Henry Brooke Cawood
Christine Marie Celeste
Claude de Vastey Jones
Timothy William Fitzmaurice
Andrew Brian Greenspan
Mark Wayne Howes
Rickey Nelson Jones
Gregory Michael Kline
Michael Lee May
Elizabeth Sheree Morris
Tracey Louise Parker-Warren
Robert Jeffrey Thompson
**John Francis Gunning
**Charles Jay Muskin
**David Patrick Putzi
**Lorrianne Jeanette Rice
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Pamela Knoop Alban
Robert Henry Brooke Cawood
Andrew Brian Greenspan
Michael Lee May
Elizabeth Sheree Morris
Robert Jeffrey Thompson
**John Francis Gunning
**Charles Jay Muskin
**David Patrick Putzi
**Lorrianne Jeanette Rice
Appointed (Date of Appointment):
Elizabeth Sheree Morris (9/21/2018)
NOTE: Applications are not currently being accepted for this vacancy.
Reason for Vacancy:
Retirement of the Honorable Toni E. Clarke
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
**Honorable Clayton Anthony Aarons
**Gerald A. A. Collins
**Michael Charles Conway
**Wytonja LaCheryl Curry
**ShaRon Marie Grayson Kelsey
**Elveta Michele Martin
**Jared Michael McCarthy
**Honorable Ann Louise Wagner-Stewart
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
NOTE: Applications are not currently being accepted for this vacancy.
Reason for Vacancy:
Retirement of the Honorable Michele D. Jaklitsch
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
**Pamela Knoop Alban
**Robert Henry Brooke Cawood
**Andrew Brian Greenspan
**John Francis Gunning
**Michael Lee May
**Elizabeth Sheree Morris
**Charles Jay Muskin
**David Patrick Putzi
**Lorrianne Jeanette Rice
**Robert Jeffrey Thompson
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Appointed (Date of Appointment):
**Robert Jeffrey Thompson (9/21/2018)
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
LaKeecia Renee Allen
Wyndell Oliver Banks
Stacey Maria Cobb Smith
Gerald A. A. Collins
Althea Rebecca Stewart Jones
Antoini Martin Jones
Alison Yvette Leonard-Leach
Melissa Alesia Pryce Rodriguez
Carolyn Starks-Saxon
Rhonda Alexis Wood
**Kimberly Vicena Lewis
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Mark Joseph Anderson
Chaz Romeo Ball
Z. Stephen Horvat
Michael John Jack
Jessica Berman Kaufman
John Joseph Kuchno
Neveen Helmy Kurtom
Timothy Scott Mitchell
Mark Joseph Muffoletto
Stephanie Picard Porter
Carol Ann Smith
Lara Christine Weathersbee
Susan Dembo Weinstein
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Theresa Michelle Chernosky
Patrick Mitri Connelly
Christopher Curtis Fogleman
Kenneth Andrew Grigg, Jr.
Honorable Holly David Reed, III
Samantha Beth Sandler
Holly Ann Whittier
**Gerald William Heller
**Honorable Patricia Lynn Mitchell
**Honorable John Christian Moffett
**Clark Emanuel Wisor, III
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
The Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission will now meet sometime between mid and late November. Firm dates will be posted in the near future.
Reason for Vacancy:
Upcoming Retirement of the Honorable Patrick L. Woodward
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Bruce Michael Bender
Steven Bennett Gould
Brian Scott Kleinbord
Rachel Theora McGuckian
Honorable Chung Ki Pak
Honorable Ronald Barry Rubin
Terrence Mark Ranko Zic
**James Bradford McCullough
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
The Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission will now meet sometime between mid and late November. Firm dates will be posted in the near future.
Reason for Vacancy:
Upcoming Retirement of the Honorable Deborah S. Eyler
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Honorable Krystal Quinn Alves
Honorable Shannon Elizabeth Avery
Bruce Michael Bender
Joseph Edward Carey
Honorable Judith Claibourne Ensor
Honorable Lawrence Paul Fletcher-Hill
Steven Bennett Gould
Rickey Nelson Jones
Brian Scott Kleinbord
Steven Michael Klepper
Jeremy Mark McCoy
Rachel Theora McGuckian
Honorable Chung Ki Pak
Honorable Ronald Barry Rubin
Steven Lee Tiedemann
Honorable Edward Gregory Wells
Honorable Pamela Janice White
Phillip Robert Zuber
**Cathleen Cawley Brockmeyer
**Gardner Mareen Duvall
**Kurt James Fischer
**James Bradford McCullough
**Honorable Sean Daniel Wallace
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
The First Appellate Judicial Circuit is comprised of the following jurisdictions: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties
Reason for Vacancy:
Upcoming Retirement of the Honorable Sally D. Adkins
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Christopher Francis Drummond
Honorable Christopher Burlee Kehoe
Honorable Brett Windsor Wilson
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
NOTE: The Commission meeting will take place on September 20 & 21.
Reason for Vacancy:
Upcoming Retirement of the Honorable Steven D. Wyman
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Sheryl D. H. Atkins
Andrew Gerard Bailey
Andrew Martin Battista
Andrew Michael Belt
Harold Lee Burgin
Mary Cina Chalawsky
Stuart Alan Cherry
Robert Alec Cohen
Charles Melvin Curtis
Bruce Edelman Friedman
Garret Peter Glennon
Alan Philip Goodwich
Margaret Leigh Kessler
Ari Jason Kodeck
Elise Song Kurlander
Patrick Erney Maher
Michael Albert McAllister
Guido Porcarelli
Ernest Michael Reitz
Jennifer Warfield Ritter
Stephanie Jeanne Robinson
Kimberly Kizzy Percell Rothwell
Stuart Alan Schadt
Lisa Yvette Settles
Ephraim R Siff
Michael Wisit Siri
Daniel Bernard Trimble
Vanessa Catherine Vescio
Rodney Clinton Warren
Allan James Webster, Jr.
Susan Chambers Zellweger
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
NOTE: The Commission meeting will take place on September 20 & 21.
Reason for Vacancy:
Retirement of the Honorable Susan Souder
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Andrew Gerard Bailey
Andrew Martin Battista
Andrew Michael Belt
Mary Cina Chalawsky
Robert Alec Cohen
John Van Lear Dorsey
Garret Peter Glennon
Kristine Anne Howanski
Margaret Leigh Kessler
Michael Albert McAllister
Margaret Moran McKee
Jennifer Warfield Ritter
Kimberly Kizzy Percell Rothwell
Ralph Laurence Sapia
Daniel Bernard Trimble
**Michael Salvatore Barranco
**Douglas Windsor Biser
**John Philip Cox
**Gerald Chester Ruter
**Honorable Philip Nicholas Tirabassi
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Reason for Vacancy:
Elevation of the Honorable Gregory Sampson to Circuit Court
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Teresa Epps Cummings
Stephan Wayne Fogleman, Jr.
Sidney Joseph Francois
LaTina Burse Greene
Kay Natalie Harding
Mark Joseph Austra Jaskulski
Carol Magid Johnson
Mark Anthony Kozlowski
Kimberly Charon McBride
Benjamin Arthur Neil
Lydia Susan Robinson
Tamara Dawn Sanders
Steven Lee Tiedemann
Anthony Francis Vittoria
Mark Anthony Yost, Jr.
**Laurie Bennett
**Kristin Elizabeth Blumer
**Darren Lee Kadish
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
NOTE: The Anne Arundel County Judicial Nominating Commission will meet on Tuesday, September 25 only.
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Elizabeth Lynn Adams
Daniel Andrews
Claudia Adeline Barber
Sidney Allen Butcher
Kathleen Ebersole Byrne
Lawrence James Caporale
Christine Marie Celeste
Philip Edward Culpepper
Claude de Vastey Jones
Christy Ann Fisher
Kemp Walden Hammond
Kristin Marie Hileman-Adams
Mark Wayne Howes
John Noel Kane, Jr.
Brian Anthony Marsh
Michael Lee May
Tracey Louise Parker-Warren
Maria Katherine Patterson
Mai-Thy (Christine) Phuong Pham
Kelly Michele Poma
Ann Maureen Potthast
Ronald Lee Rowland
Colby Lee Schmidt
Peter Joseph Terech
Robert Jeffrey Thompson
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Reason for Vacancy:
Retirement of the Honorable Hassan A. El-Amin
Retirement of the Honorable Dwight D. Jackson
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Honorable Clayton Anthony Aarons
Gerald A. A. Collins
Wytonja LaCheryl Curry
Althea Rebecca Stewart Jones
Antoini Martin Jones
ShaRon Marie Grayson Kelsey
Alison Yvette Leonard-Leach
Kimberly Vicena Lewis
Jared Michael McCarthy
Raymond Jerome Vanzego, Jr. Withdrew
Honorable Ann Louise Wagner-Stewart
Rhonda Alexis Wood
**Michael Charles Conway
**Elveta Michele Martin
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Honorable Clayton Anthony Aarons
Gerald A. A. Collins
Wytonja LaCheryl Curry
ShaRon Marie Grayson Kelsey
Jared Michael McCarthy
Honorable Ann Louise Wagner-Stewart
**Michael Charles Conway
**Elveta Michele Martin
Reason for Vacancy:
Retirement of the Honorable O. John Cejka, Jr.
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Mark Howard Anders
Anthony Michael Cecala
Kathleen Diane English
Julia Ann Minner
Eric William Schaffer
Margaret Alice Teahan
Chad Wilson Weddle
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Anthony Michael Cecala
Kathleen Diane English
Eric William Schaffer
Appointed (Date of Appointment):
Eric William Schaffer (9/20/2018)
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Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Joseph Michael Stanalonis
James Lee Tanavage
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Joseph Michael Stanalonis
James Lee Tanavage
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Elizabeth Lynn Adams
Pamela Knoop Alban
Peter George Byrnes, Jr.
Robert Henry Brooke Cawood
Christine Marie Celeste
Claude de Vastey Jones
Timothy William Fitzmaurice
Andrew Brian Greenspan
Mark Wayne Howes
Rickey Nelson Jones
Gregory Michael Kline
Michael Lee May
Elizabeth Sheree Morris
Tracey Louise Parker-Warren
Robert Jeffrey Thompson
**John Francis Gunning
**Charles Jay Muskin
**David Patrick Putzi
**Lorrianne Jeanette Rice
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Pamela Knoop Alban
Robert Henry Brooke Cawood
Andrew Brian Greenspan
Michael Lee May
Elizabeth Sheree Morris
Robert Jeffrey Thompson
**John Francis Gunning
**Charles Jay Muskin
**David Patrick Putzi
**Lorrianne Jeanette Rice
Appointed (Date of Appointment):
Pamela Knoop Alban (9/21/2018)
Reason for Vacancy:
Retirement of the Honorable Helen I. Harrington
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Shara Gabrielle Hendler
Honorable William Louis Hennessy
Kenneth William Prien
**Monise Alexis Brown
**Patrick Joseph Devine
**Makeba Gibbs
**Mistey Lynn Metzgar
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Honorable William Louis Hennessy
**Monise Alexis Brown
**Patrick Joseph Devine
**Makeba Gibbs
**Mistey Lynn Metzgar
Reason for Vacancy:
Retirement of the Honorable Victor K. Butanis
Close Date @4:30pm:
Applicants Pool **:
Jeffrey Nelson Burger
Angela Chong Diehl
Alison Marie Healey
James Edward Hock, Jr.
John Mark Magee
Trenna Laurel Manners
Kerwin Anthony Miller, Sr.
Gavin Malachi Patashnick
David Wesley Ryden
Carl Ridgeley Schlaich
Dennis John Shaffer
Christopher Robb vanRoden
Donald Foster Walter, Jr.
Comm. Mtg:
Nominees Pool **:
Kerwin Anthony Miller, Sr.
Carl Ridgeley Schlaich
Christopher Robb vanRoden
Donald Foster Walter, Jr.
