ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore announced February 9, 2026, appointments to the District 15 Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission, which covers Charles County in Southern Maryland, naming Patrick D. Troxler as chair and filling 12 additional seats with experienced attorneys and community leaders.
The commission plays a pivotal role in Maryland’s judicial selection process by advertising vacancies in the district and circuit courts, soliciting candidate recommendations from bar associations and the public, setting application deadlines, and evaluating applicants on factors including integrity, temperament, legal knowledge, and professional experience. There are 16 such Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commissions statewide, established by executive order to help ensure qualified, diverse judicial candidates advance to the governor for appointment.
Moore praised the new members for stepping forward to strengthen the judiciary. “This esteemed slate of appointees raised their hands to serve and will uphold justice in our state,” he stated. “The work of the Charles County Judicial Nominating Commission is more than administrative—it is essential to building a stronger judicial system for the people of Maryland. By ensuring our judiciary reflects our diversity and our values, we are building a state where we leave no one behind.”
The appointees bring deep ties to Charles County and Southern Maryland legal communities, spanning prosecution, defense, civil practice, public service, and nonprofit work:
- Patrick D. Troxler (Chair), partner at Troxler & Troxler, LLC, focusing on personal injury and criminal defense; former associate at Farmer & Klopfer; U.S. Air Force veteran (12+ years, recipient of the 2013 Commendation Medal); J.D. from Howard University School of Law.
- Kathryn Batey, founding partner at Southern Maryland Criminal Defense; former assistant public defender in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties; adjunct professor teaching legal writing at American University; J.D. from American University Washington College of Law.
- Jessica Nicole Morales, family law attorney at Castro Law Group; former civil litigator at Law Office of Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., P.A.; past law clerk in Maryland courts in La Plata and Leonardtown; past president of Charles County Bar Association; J.D. from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law.
- Amia D. Price, assistant state’s attorney in Charles County since 2023; former staff attorney at Maryland Center for Legal Assistance; law clerk to Judge Myshala E. Middleton; J.D. from University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
- Jonathan L. Berry, attorney at Maryland Center for Legal Assistance handling family law and landlord-tenant cases; former bankruptcy attorney and solo practitioner; J.D. from Regent University School of Law.
- Sue A. Greer, solo practitioner in land use and real property; former deputy county attorney and general counsel for Charles County Sheriff’s Office; ex-member of Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission and Governor’s Base Realignment and Closure Advisory Council; J.D. from Notre Dame School of Law.
- Abena McAllister, director of criminal justice reform initiatives at Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office; former director of stakeholder engagement for NIH’s All of Us program and consultant at AAM Consulting, LLC; J.D. from University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.
- Nivea A. Ohri, partner at The Law Offices of Baldwin, Briscoe, Steinmetz & Ohri, P.C., practicing criminal, domestic, and civil law; former law clerk to Judge Michael J. Stamm and Congressman Steny Hoyer; member of Maryland State Bar Association strategic planning task force; J.D. from American University Washington College of Law.
- Amber Wetzel, deputy district public defender in Leonardtown since 2023; long-time public defender roles including supervising and assistant positions for juvenile and adult clients; career start at Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia; J.D. from American University Washington College of Law.
- Janice Wilson, retired CIA officer (35+ years, Career Intelligence Medal recipient); past president of Charles County NAACP; former member of this commission and president/board member of Tri County Youth Services Bureau, Inc.; bachelor’s from Trinity University.
- Frank Denison, assistant state’s attorney in Prince George’s County since 2000, currently chief of grand jury unit with prior roles in violent crime, major crimes, firearms, and juvenile units; J.D. from University of Baltimore School of Law.
- Oluwaseun “Seun” Williams, junior partner at Law Office of Thomas E. Pyles focusing on personal injury, products liability, and medical malpractice; former assistant state’s attorney in Prince George’s County; Charles County Bar Association member and mentor to aspiring lawyers; J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law.
- Matt Trollinger, founding attorney at Trollinger Law specializing in personal injury and workers’ compensation; member of Attorney Grievance Commission Peer Review Board for Charles County since 2020; board member for Maryland Association for Justice; J.D. from Regent University.
These appointments reflect Moore’s emphasis on diversity and expertise in the judicial nominating process, particularly relevant to Charles County amid ongoing court operations and potential future vacancies. The commission’s work directly influences who serves on the bench in Southern Maryland trial courts, impacting local justice delivery. No specific terms of service or immediate vacancies prompting the appointments were detailed in the announcement.