LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Following the sudden death of Judge Michael J. Stamm on October 2, 2024, a vacancy on the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court has drawn a field of applicants eager to serve in Maryland’s Seventh Judicial Circuit. Stamm, who had been County Administrative Judge since 2018 and an Associate Judge since 2006, left a legacy of nearly two decades of judicial service, notably in juvenile justice reform. Now, the Judicial Nominating Commission is reviewing candidates to recommend to Governor Wes Moore, who will appoint Stamm’s successor.
The vacancy, announced by the Maryland Courts on November 21, 2024, prompted applications from judges, magistrates, and lawyers, with a deadline of February 27, 2025. Among the applicants listed on the Maryland Judiciary’s website are Sue Ann Lewis Armitage, Buffy Nicole Giddens, Kevin Ray Hill, John Andrew Mattingly Jr., Daniel Aaron Martin, and Slade Marsha Lynette Williams—all vying to fill the seat Stamm held until his passing at age 68. The commission will interview candidates and nominate those deemed most qualified, with the public invited to submit comments by late February to the Administrative Office of the Courts in Annapolis.
Stamm’s death, reported by the Southern Maryland Chronicle, marked the end of a tenure that included leading the Juvenile Drug Court Program and advocating for problem-solving courts. His successor will join a court overseen by newly appointed County Administrative Judge Joseph M. Stanalonis, named by Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader on November 20, 2024, per a Maryland Courts release. The appointee will serve until the 2026 election, when they must run to retain the seat for a full 15-year term.
The applicants bring diverse backgrounds. Sue Ann Lewis Armitage, a magistrate, has experience in family law, while Buffy Nicole Giddens, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, focused on criminal prosecution. Kevin Ray Hill, another magistrate, handles family cases, and John Andrew Mattingly Jr., a private attorney, emphasizes community ties. Daniel Aaron Martin, also in private practice, offers broad legal experience, and Slade Marsha Lynette Williams, a prosecutor, brings a litigation perspective. Exact qualifications remain under review, as the commission assesses their legal expertise and professional standing.
Maryland’s judicial selection process, outlined on the Maryland Courts website, requires nominees to be at least 30, Maryland Bar members, and state residents for five years, with six months in St. Mary’s County. The commission’s rigorous vetting ensures only the most capable advance. St. Mary’s County, with a population of about 113,000 per the U.S. Census Bureau, relies on its Circuit Court for major civil and criminal cases, making this appointment critical.
A hearing date for the commission’s interviews is pending, but the process underscores the balance between gubernatorial appointment and public input, a system in place since 1970. The chosen judge will shape the court’s future, building on Stamm’s contributions amid Southern Maryland’s evolving legal landscape.
