GOVERNOR O’MALLEY TO SWEAR 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 16, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley tomorrow will swear in the Honorable Michele D. Hotten, the first African American woman to be sworn in, to the Court of Special Appeals.

Last month, Governor O’Malley announced the appointment of Judge Michele D. 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.

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.