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New circuit and administrative judges named in Western Maryland
Daily Record Staff//October 20, 2015
New circuit and administrative judges named in Western Maryland
//October 20, 2015
Washington County Circuit Judge M. Kenneth Long Jr. will become administrative judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit and Allegany County Circuit Judge W. Timothy Finan will become the county’s administrative judge next month, the Maryland Judiciary announced Monday.
Long and Finan will assume their roles Nov. 9 when Judge Gary G. Leasure retires after more than 30 years on the bench. Leasure has been Allegany’s administrative judge since 2008 and overseen the 4th Circuit since 2002.
“We are grateful to Judge Leasure for his leadership and service to the people of Western Maryland as a Circuit Court judge for more than 32 years. His stellar judicial career is marked by a commitment to access to justice, fairness and integrity in the judicial process, and the rule of law,” Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera said in a statement. “With the appointments of Judge Long and Judge Finan, the legacy of extraordinary leadership in the western part of our state continues, as they are both accomplished and well-respected jurists.”
County administrative judges oversee the administration of the court, budget and procurement functions, and trial calendars to ensure the expeditious disposition of cases. Circuit administrative judges are generally responsible for the administration of the courts within the judicial circuit.
Long was appointed to the District Court of Maryland in June 2004 and elevated to the circuit court in December 2005. Before becoming county administrative judge in June 2011, Long served as an associate judge for five years.
Finan was appointed to the District Court of Maryland in June 1987 and elevated to the circuit court in June 2002.
