Leonardtown, MD- Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader of the Supreme Court of Maryland has appointed Judge Joseph M. Stanalonis as county administrative judge for the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, effective November 20, 2024. Judge Stanalonis has been serving as acting county administrative judge following the passing of Judge Michael J. Stamm on October 2, 2024.
County administrative judges play a critical role in court operations, overseeing budgets, procurement, and trial calendar management to ensure cases are resolved efficiently.
“I am pleased to appoint Judge Stanalonis to assume this important leadership role,” said Chief Justice Fader. “His steadfast commitment to the Judiciary’s mission of providing fair, effective, and efficient justice for all, along with his experience before and during his tenure as a judge, position him well to succeed Judge Stamm and continue to advance the administration of justice. Judge Stanalonis is connected within his community, and I know he’ll be an effective leader in St. Mary’s County.”
Background and Experience
Judge Stanalonis was appointed to the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County in December 2018 by then-Governor Larry Hogan and was sworn in on January 11, 2019. He has served as the presiding judge for the court’s Adult Substance Abuse Recovery Court and is an active member of several Maryland Judiciary committees. These include the Judicial Council Equal Justice Committee, where he chairs the Sentencing Subcommittee, as well as the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee and the Problem-Solving Courts Subcommittee.
Judge DaNeeka Varner Cotton, Administrative Judge for Prince George’s County and the Seventh Judicial Circuit, commended Judge Stanalonis’s dedication to justice. “Due to his exemplary legal career as a judge and attorney, I firmly believe that Judge Stanalonis will effectively lead the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court as administrative judge. His commitment to the pursuit of justice, public service, and the expedient resolution of cases will ensure the citizens in St. Mary’s County continue to receive comprehensive and impartial judicial services.”
Career Achievements
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Stanalonis served as a prosecutor in the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 2019. During his tenure, he held leadership roles in various departments, including Juvenile, Child Support, Special Victims, and District Court. He also contributed to the creation of impactful local programs, including the St. Mary’s County Juvenile Drug Court, Adult Recovery Court, and Child Advocacy Center. These initiatives were designed to support vulnerable populations and provide substance-free alternatives for high school graduates through the Project Graduation program.
Judge Stanalonis reflected on his new role with gratitude. “I am honored and humbled by Chief Justice Fader’s and Judge Cotton’s confidence in me to be selected as county administrative judge,” he said. “I have had the privilege and opportunity to work with Judge Stamm over the past six years, and I will do my best to continue the longstanding tradition of public service and dedication to our community by those judges who served before me and with me, ensuring that the citizens of St. Mary’s County have a court that provides fair, effective, and efficient justice for all.”
Education and Professional Memberships
Judge Stanalonis earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in 1993, followed by his Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1996. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar that same year and is an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the St. Mary’s County Bar Association, where he previously served as president and treasurer.
With his extensive experience and dedication to community-centered justice, Judge Stanalonis is well-positioned to lead the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County into its next chapter.