O’Malley Announces Judicial Appointments

Governor O’Malley announced today the appointment of 23 judges who will serve across Maryland, including two appointments to the District Court for Montgomery County and one appointment to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. The appointees represent the geographic and ethnic diversity of the State of Maryland, and all the appointees share in common their exceptional qualifications to serve as judges in our state.

“The appointment of judges is one of the most important responsibilities of any chief executive,” said Governor O’Malley. “I take this responsibility seriously, and am pleased to announce today the appointment of 23 highly qualified, diverse candidates from across the State to serve on Maryland’s bench.”

Governor O’Malley interviewed every candidate recommended by the trial court and appellate judicial nominating commissions. All of the judges appointed were recommended by the commissions.

Governor O’Malley elevated Judge Audrey Creighton to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. Since 2010, Judge Audrey Creighton has served on the District Court for Montgomery County. She previously served as an Assistant Public Defender for Montgomery County, where she received numerous awards for outstanding service. She also worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Appeals Division, an associate at Rabineau & Peregoff, and a law clerk to the Honorable Richard Gilbert of the Court of Special Appeals. Judge Creighton has been a member of the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s Character Committee for the past six years and was a former president of the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association. She earned a law degree from the University Of Baltimore School of Law and an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Governor O’Malley made two appointments to the District Court for Montgomery County

Eric John Nee has served for the past 15 years as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, where he is currently assigned to the Major Crimes Division. Previously, Mr. Nee worked at the National Transportation Safety Board, both as the Director of the Equal Employment Opportunity office and an attorney adviser. He began his career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Prince George’s County. Mr. Nee earned a law degree from the University Of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Margaret Marie Schweitzer has spent her legal career with the State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County, serving in many different capacities: as a member of the major crimes felony trial unit, as Chief of the District Court, as the liaison for Drug Court, and as the Director of Professional Development and Post-Conviction Remedies. She received her law degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Governor O’Malley announced the appointment of three judges to the Court of Special Appeals.

Judge Michael Wilson Reed has served on the Circuit Court for Baltimore City since 2011. Prior to his appointment to the Circuit Court bench, Judge Reed practiced as a litigator for over 20 years in both the public and private sectors. His public service included five years as an Assistant Attorney General at the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and 11 years as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City. Judge Reed is the president-elect of the Bar Association of Baltimore City. He earned a law degree from George Washington University’s National Law Center and an undergraduate degree from College of the Holy Cross.

Andrea Margaretta Leahy-Fucheck has been a partner with the firm of Leahy & DeSmet, LLC since 2006. Previously, she served as Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Parris Glendening, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Associate County Attorney for Prince George’s County, and Of Counsel at Whiteford Taylor Preston LLP. Ms. Leahy-Fucheck also served as a member of the State Ethics Commission and was twice named as one of the Daily Record’s Top 100 Women. She earned a law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Catholic University.

Kevin Francis Arthur is a principal with Kramon & Graham PA, where he has spent his entire legal career. Mr. Arthur has represented clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States, in regulatory proceedings before state and federal agencies, and in arbitration cases, including cases before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. He has also served on bar committees examining best practices in civil pattern jury instructions and appellate advocacy, and he is the current chair of the Maryland State Bar Association’s Committee on Laws. Mr. Arthur earned a law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

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