The judiciary has begun advertising (scroll to the bottom of the page) for the next vacancy on the Court of Special Appeals, which will be created when Judge J. Frederick Sharer turns 70 in April. Sharer sits from the third circuit, so that means his replacement will need to be from one of the counties in that district: Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard or Washington.

So all you Western Maryland lawyers and judges with Rowe Boulevard dreams, take note: applications are due March 17 at 4:30 p.m.

Court of Appeals Judge Irma Raker will also retire when she hits 70 in April, but the judiciary has not yet started soliciting applicants for her seat.

Of course, retired Judge Dale Cathell’s Court of Appeals seat hasn’t been filled yet. The Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission submitted only one
name to Gov. Martin O’Malley in January, so the governor asked the committee to try and muster up more candidates. Look for news on that a bit later this month.

CARYN TAMBER, Legal Affairs Writer

There’s beer in the newsroom today!

Now, there may be beer in the newsroom on a much more regular basis, but I’m not privy to it.

Today’s brews were sent to our Web Specialist courtesy of Miller Brewing Company (we’re not sure how or why, exactly, he was added to their PR list).

The three samples are a “triumvirate of craft-style light beers” that the Milwaukee-based company is currently testing in four markets: Baltimore, Charlotte, N.C., Minneapolis, MN and San Diego, Calif.

They are:

• Amber: “A malty, hoppy and bold, flavorful” beer.
• Wheat: “Especially appealing flavor dimensions, with a subtle citrus note that kicks in during the finish.”
• and Blonde Ale: “offers a crispness and slight maltiness that’s balanced by a higher level of sweetness.” (Editor’s note: not 100% sure ‘maltiness’ is a word.)

Each has “significantly fewer calories and carbs than a typical beer of that style,” with 110 calories and 6.2 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving.

“Craft Beer. Done Lite”? Let us know what you think.

JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor

Did anyone see Baltimore attorney Billy Murphy‘s cameo performance on “The Wire” Sunday night?

Here’s a synopsis of one scene with Murphy in it, from the HBO’s synopsis of the episode, Took:

State Senator R. Clayton “Clay” Davis tries to talk defense attorney Billy Murphy into taking on his case without receiving his full fee up front. Davis offers $25k up front and $25k when Murphy seats a jury. Murphy insists on his full $200K fee, but Davis counters that he’s giving him a great publicity opportunity going up against State’s Attorney Rupert Bond. Charmed, Murphy tells Clay to save his silver-tongued salesmanship for the jury.

And here’s from the ep’s Wikipedia entry:

Senator Davis appears in court, and it looks as though he is going to be heading to prison. With the amount of paperwork that Freamon and Sydnor got on Davis, it didn’t seem like he could get off. That was until he hired Billy Murphy to help him out with his case.

Let us know what you thought of Murphy and “Took.”

JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor