Politics & Government

O'Malley Makes Historic Court Appointments

The Maryland governor names Mary Ellen Barbera as the first woman chief judge of the state Court of Appeals.

Gov. Martin O’Malley Wednesday named Judge Mary Ellen Barbera as the first woman chief judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Barbera’s selection was part of a number of judicial nominations made by the governor that includes the nomination of Judge Shirley Watts, the first black woman nominated to serve on the state’s highest court.

“Judge Barbera and Judge Watts represent the best of the Maryland bar and will do an outstanding job serving on the highest court in Maryland,” O’Malley said in an emailed statement. “Throughout their judicial careers, they have exhibited integrity, intelligence, and compassion. I am honored that we are not only making history today with these appointments, but that the hard work, talents and skills of these women will help us build on the progress we’re making together for the people of Maryland.”

Barbera has served on the Court of Appeals representing the circuit that includes Montgomery County since 2008. She earned her law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1984.  She received a Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education from Towson University in 1975.

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Barbera, if confirmed by the Maryland Senate, will succeed Chief Judge Robert Bell, 70, who will retire on July 6. Bell represented the judicial circuit that includes Baltimore City. State law requires judges to retire at age 70.

Watts, a Baltimore City resident, has served on the state Court of Special Appeals since 2011. She earned her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law in 1983 and a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University in 1980. Watts will fill the vacancy in the 6 th Judicial Circuit created by Bell’s retirement.

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Since taking office in 2006, O’Malley has made 188 judicial appointments. Of those, 52 are women, according to the governor’s emailed statement.


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