ANNAPOLIS, Md. — District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, with the approval of Supreme Court of Maryland Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, has appointed Charles County District Court Judge Kenneth A. Talley as the new administrative judge for District 4, encompassing Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. The appointment, effective August 1, 2025, follows the upcoming retirement of District Administrative Judge Karen Christy Holt Chesser, who will step down from her administrative role in preparation for her 2026 retirement.
Judge Talley, who has served as an associate judge in Charles County since May 2009, will oversee court administration and trial calendars to ensure efficient case disposition across the three counties. His appointment marks a continuation of leadership in Southern Maryland’s judicial system, building on his 16 years of experience on the bench.
“Judge Talley is an excellent jurist and choice as the new administrative judge for the District Court in Southern Maryland,” said Supreme Court of Maryland Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader. “I am confident that he will continue to be an effective leader in his district to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all.”
Talley’s extensive judicial and legal background equips him for the administrative role. Appointed to the Charles County District Court by then-Governor Martin O’Malley in 2009, he has served on several judicial committees, including the Judiciary’s Security and Post-COVID Judicial Operations Committees, and the Maryland Judiciary’s Judicial Council Equal Justice Committee from 2020 to 2022. His leadership in these roles has focused on improving court operations and ensuring equitable access to justice.
“Judge Talley’s leadership in the District Court in Charles County for the past 16 years has prepared him to take on this new role,” said District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey. “Administrative Judge Chesser has been an exemplary administrative Judge, has served her District well for the past 15 years, and will be available to manage the transition with Judge Talley.”
Before his judicial appointment, Talley built a diverse legal career. He served as a law clerk for retired Judge Herman C. Dawson in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County from 1998 to 1999, followed by a year at Don Ansell & Associates from 1999 to 2000. He worked as an assistant public defender in Charles County from 2000 to 2005, earning the Assistant Public Defender of the Year Award for District IV in 2001. Talley then practiced as a partner at Collins & Talley from 2005 to 2007 and served as an assistant state’s attorney in Charles County from 2007 to 2009.
Talley’s community involvement includes serving as a community judge for the Charles County Teen Court Program from 2004 to 2007, where he received the Community Judge Appreciation Award for Outstanding Service. He also served on the board of directors for Jude House, Inc., a nonprofit supporting addiction recovery. Within the legal community, Talley has been active in the Charles County Bar Association since 2002, holding roles as treasurer, secretary, vice president, and president. He was president at the time of his judicial appointment in 2009. He is also a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and was previously part of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Talley holds a Bachelor of Arts in government and politics from the University of Maryland, College Park (1990) and a juris doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law (1993). He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1993.
“It is a great honor and a privilege to be able to serve the citizens, staff, and judges of Southern Maryland,” said Judge Kenneth A. Talley, Charles County District Court.
The role of an administrative judge involves significant procedural responsibilities, including managing court budgets, coordinating with judicial and non-judicial staff, and ensuring compliance with state judicial policies. In District 4, this includes overseeing operations across multiple courthouses, each handling various civil, criminal, and traffic cases. Talley’s experience on judicial committees suggests familiarity with these administrative challenges, particularly in court security and post-pandemic operational adjustments.
The transition from Judge Chesser, who has served as administrative judge for 15 years, will be supported by her continued availability through 2025, ensuring continuity in District 4’s operations. Chesser’s tenure included navigating the courts through significant changes, such as adopting electronic filing systems and remote hearings, which Talley will now build upon.
Maryland’s District Court system, established to handle cases efficiently locally, relies on administrative judges to maintain timely and fair proceedings. District 4, covering Southern Maryland, serves a diverse population with unique judicial needs, from rural communities in St. Mary’s County to growing suburban areas in Charles County. Talley’s appointment comes when the judiciary continues to address case backlogs and implement technology-driven reforms.
Talley’s leadership will also draw on his community ties, particularly in Charles County, where his work with the Teen Court Program and Jude House demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation and public service. These experiences may inform his approach to ensuring the courts remain accessible and responsive to local needs.
As Talley assumes his new role, he will focus on maintaining the District Court’s mission of delivering justice efficiently while upholding the principles of fairness and equity across Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
