LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County Government announced the appointment of Sue Ann Lewis Armitage as Family Law Magistrate for the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on July 8, 2025. A lifelong county resident, Armitage brings over three decades of legal experience to the role, with a focus on family law, which constitutes nearly 70% of the court’s caseload.
Armitage, a 1990 graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, has practiced law in Southern Maryland since 1991. Through her firm, Armitage & Armitage, she has served families and individuals in St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties, handling cases involving divorce, child custody, and other domestic matters. Her extensive experience in family law aligns with her new responsibilities, which include presiding over divorce, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, marital property disputes, and modifications of existing court orders.
The role of Family Law Magistrate involves hearing cases under Maryland Rule 9-208, which covers issues such as pendente lite custody, visitation disputes, and contempt proceedings related to noncompliance with court orders. Armitage’s background equips her to address these complex and sensitive matters, ensuring fair and efficient resolution for families navigating the legal system.
Armitage has a long history of public service. She served as chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission for St. Mary’s and Calvert counties from 2007 to 2015, overseeing the selection of judicial candidates. She has also held leadership roles on the boards of the St. Mary’s County Bar Association, Southern Maryland Inns of Court, Juvenile Drug Court, St. Mary’s Ryken High School, and Bay Montessori School. In 2020, she was elected president of the St. Mary’s County Bar Association, a testament to her standing among peers.
Her contributions have earned widespread recognition. Armitage received the Maryland State Bar Association’s Pro Bono Service Award for providing free wills and powers of attorney to military personnel at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. In 2022, she was honored as a Leader in Law by The Daily Record, and in 2023, she was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. That same year, she was included in The Daily Record’s Power List of Family Law Attorneys, one of only 25 attorneys statewide. In 2024, she was recognized as a “Pillar of the Community” for her civic engagement.
“Sue Ann Armitage’s deep roots in St. Mary’s County and her extensive legal experience make her an exceptional choice for Family Law Magistrate,” said a statement from the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County. The commissioners expressed gratitude for her commitment to justice and community welfare.
Armitage’s ties to St. Mary’s County run deep. Raised in Ridge by her mother, who worked at the NESEA Naval command, and her father, a World War II veteran and retired Navy Master Chief, she has remained connected to the community. After law school, she returned to open her practice, supported by local business leaders who provided her first office space. Her firm, established in 1992, has been a fixture in Lexington Park, and her pro bono work reflects her gratitude for the community’s early support.
In 2023, Armitage announced her candidacy for St. Mary’s County Circuit Court Judge, citing her desire to serve the community in a new capacity. “I am excited to seek the opportunity to serve the community in a new way,” she said. “St. Mary’s County is my home, and that means I understand what our community needs from its court system”. Although she did not secure the judgeship, her appointment as magistrate fulfills her goal of contributing to the judicial system.
The Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, located at 41605 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown, handles many family law cases, making Armitage’s role critical to the court’s operations. For more information on the court, visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov/Circuit-Court.
