Governor O'Malley Swears in the Honorable Michele D. Hotten to Court of Special Appeals
Judge Hotten First African American woman to sit on Court of Special Appeals
ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 17, 2010) –Governor Martin O’Malley today swore in the Honorable Michele D. Hotten, to the Court of Special Appeals. Judge Hotten is the first African-American woman to hold a position on any appellate court in Maryland.
“It is an honor and a privilege to swear in the Honorable Michele D. Hotten to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Many judges and lawyers have written to me to describe Judge Hotten as impeccably prepared, uniformly fair, and a devoted legal scholar with a truly legendary work ethic. I am confident that she will serve well on the Court of Special Appeals and handle its notorious case loads with efficiency, integrity, and fairness. Those qualities, in addition to her sense of justice, compassion, and wisdom – qualities that made Judge Hotten such a fine Circuit Court judge – will also cause her to excel as an appellate judge.”
Last month, Governor O’Malley announced the appointment of Judge Hotten to the Court of Special Appeals for the Fourth Appellate Circuit (Prince George’s County). Judge Hotten will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable James P. Salmon. Judge Hotten brings to the appellate court extensive experience as a trial judge, as well as a diverse legal background in both private practice and government service. For 15 years, she has been an Associate Judge on the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, where she serves as the Civil Coordinating Judge. Prior to joining the Circuit Court, she served for one year as an Associate Judge for the District Court for Prince George’s County.
“Judge Michele D. Hotten has been an outstanding member of the Prince George's County Circuit Court since 1995. During her tenure, she has served with distinction. Her dedication to excellence and her outstanding work ethic caused me to appoint her as the judge in charge of Juvenile after she had been on the court for a little over a year,” said Judge William D. Missouri, Chief & Administrative Judge, Prince George’s County Circuit Court. “The Prince George's County Circuit Court will miss Judge Hotten's productivity and strong work ethic. We will also miss her ability to preside over esoteric subject matters. I will personally miss her support, advice and intellect. But, I, on behalf of the Court wish all the best to the Honorable Michele D. Hotten as she becomes the first African American female on a Maryland Appellate Court. I know that she will do an outstanding job on the Court of Special Appeals as she as done as the first African American female on the Prince George's County Circuit Court.”
Before her appointment to the bench, Judge Hotten worked in private practice, representing individuals, companies, and local government in a variety of matters, including insurance cases, medical malpractice lawsuits, criminal trials, and administrative law issues. Among other positions in public service, Judge Hotten has served as Special Counsel to the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission. In addition, Judge Hotten served as a prosecutor for several years in the State’s Attorney’s Office for Prince George’s County.
Judge Hotten is a past president of the Prince George’s County Bar Association, and a past president of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association. In 2008, she received the Daily Record’s Leadership in Law award. Judge Hotten graduated from the Howard University School of Law.
“This is a great day for the State,” said Elizabeth Hewlett, attorney in Prince George’s County and long-time friend. “In addition to the historic nature of this appointment, Judge Hotten brings a breadth of professional and judicial experience, legal acumen and a legendary work ethic that will be invaluable to the Court of Special Appeals, the workhorse of Maryland’s judiciary.”
