Governor O'Malley Appoints Four Trial Court Judges
Appointments made to the Baltimore County, Charles County, and Montgomery County Circuit Courts, and the Charles County District Court
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 30, 2009) –Governor O’Malley today announced the appointments of four judicial appointments to the Circuit Courts for Baltimore, Montgomery and Charles County, and the District Court for Charles County. Governor O’Malley appointed Sherrie R. Bailey to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County; Cynthia Callahan to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County; the Honorable Helen I. Harrington to the Circuit Court for Charles County; and Kenneth A. Talley to the District Court for Charles County.
“I am proud to appoint such a highly qualified and diverse group of candidates to serve in courts across our State,” said Governor O’Malley. “Sherrie Bailey, Cynthia Callahan, Helen Harrington, and Kenneth Talley possess the leadership skills, work ethic, sound judgment, and legal expertise necessary to be excellent judges. I am confident that they will ensure that our laws are upheld, while treating each party who comes before them with dignity and respect.”
Sherrie R. Bailey, an Assistant Public Defender and former prosecutor, will fill a vacancy on the Circuit Court for Baltimore County created by the retirement of the Honorable Dana M. Levitz. Ms. Bailey has dedicated her career to public service. Since 2006, she has been an Assistant Public Defender in Baltimore County, where she represents indigent clients in felony cases. Prior to joining the Public Defender’s Office, Ms. Bailey served for 22 years as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City. Among other duties, she was the Chief of the office’s District Court Division. She has extensive experience in felony trial work, including homicide, rape, and narcotics cases.
Ms. Bailey is a trustee of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and a past president of the college’s Alumni Council. She is a member of the Baltimore County Bar Association and the Maryland State Bar Association. She graduated from the Notre Dame Law School.
Cynthia Callahan, an attorney specializing in family law, will fill a vacancy on the Circuit Court for Montgomery County created by the retirement of the Honorable William J. Rowan, III. Ms. Callahan has practiced law for over 25 years. Since 1999, she has been a partner at the Rockville-based law firm of Dragga, Callahan, Hannon, Hessler & Wills, LLP. In addition to trying cases, she has served as a guardian ad litem for children and persons with disabilities, and as a mediator and arbitrator. Prior to practicing family law, Ms. Callahan was a litigation associate with Donovan & Nash, where she handled cases involving workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and criminal defense.
Ms. Callahan is active in several bar associations and has received awards for her commitment to community service. She has served on the Pro Bono Committee of the Montgomery County Bar Association, and she received the Maryland Governor’s Volunteer Service Award and the Marriott Spirit to Serve Award in 2006. Ms. Callahan graduated from the Columbus School of Law of the Catholic University of America.
Helen I. Harrington, a Domestic Relations Master, will fill a vacancy on the Circuit Court for Charles County created by the retirement of the Honorable Christopher C. Henderson. Ms. Harrington was appointed as Charles County’s first Domestic Relations Master in 1992. In this capacity, she has presided over divorce, child custody, visitation, marital property, alimony, and child support cases. Prior to her appointment, Master Harrington was an Assistant State’s Attorney for Charles County. In addition, she spent several years as an attorney in private practice, concentrating in business law, criminal cases, and regulatory matters.
Master Harrington is a past president of the Charles County Bar Association. She received the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Partnership Award in 2000. She has volunteered for numerous community organizations and served on the Board of the Children’s Aid Society of Charles County. Master Harrington graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Kenneth Talley, an Assistant State’s Attorney, will fill a vacancy on the District Court for Charles County created by the retirement of the Honorable Richard A. Cooper. Mr. Talley has had a diverse legal career in both public service and private practice. Most recently, he has been an Assistant State’s Attorney for Charles County, handling major felony cases and District Court prosecutions. For five years, Mr. Talley was an Assistant Public Defender for the Charles County Public Defender’s Office, where he handled juvenile and felony cases. He received an Assistant Public Defender of the Year Award in 2001. For several years, Mr. Talley was in private practice handling a variety of matters, including criminal defense, family law cases, and landlord-tenant litigation.
Mr. Talley is active in community service and the Charles County Bar Association. He is a past secretary of the bar association, and he received an Award for Outstanding Service to the Charles County Teen Court Program. Mr. Talley graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law, and he clerked for the Honorable Herman C. Dawson of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.
The appointees were nominated by the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commissions. More information on the nominating commissions established by Governor O’Malley can be found at http://www.gov.state.md.us/executiveorders/01.01.2008.04eo.pdf.
