Hogan names attorney Terrence Zic to Court of Special Appeals

Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday named Rockville attorney Terrence M.R. Zic to a seat on Maryland’s second-highest court.

Zic, a partner at Whiteford Taylor Preston LLP, will succeed retired Judge Alexander Wright Jr., who held an at-large seat on Court of Special Appeals when he stepped down in November upon reaching the state’s mandatory judicial retirement age of 70.

Zic’s selection is subject to confirmation by the Maryland Senate when it reconvenes in January.

“The appointment of qualified individuals to serve across our state’s justice system is paramount to upholding our responsibilities to the people of Maryland and the rule of law,” Hogan said in a statement announcing his pick. “I have confidence that Terrence Zic will continue to be a strong advocate for the law and will serve the citizens of the State of Maryland admirably.”

Zic has focused on product liability and commercial litigation at Whiteford Taylor. He has defended drug and medical device makers in product liability cases, as well as car dealers in consumer protection act, fraud, breach of warranty, fraudulent title and breach of contract actions, according to his biography on the Whiteford Taylor website.

Before joining Whiteford Taylor, Zic was a partner at LeClairRyan. The 1989 Georgetown University Law Center graduate began his legal career as a law clerk for then-Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert C. Murphy from 1989 to 1990, according to information provided by Hogan’s office.

Zic’s selection leaves one vacancy on the 15-member Court of Special Appeals following the recent retirement of Judge Timothy E. Meredith. The Maryland Judiciary is not yet accepting applications for that Fifth Judicial Circuit seat, which covers Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.

Hogan chose Zic from among a list of nine finalists for the judgeship submitted by the Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission.

In addition to Zic, that list included Baltimore County Circuit Judge Judith C. Ensor; Kurt James Fischer, of Venable LLP in Baltimore; Baltimore City Circuit Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill; Assistant Montgomery County State’s Attorney Brian S. Kleinbord; attorney J. Bradford McCullough, of Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd. in Bethesda; attorney Rachel T. McGuckian, of Miles & Stockbridge PC in Rockville; attorney T. Sky Woodward, of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in Washington; and attorney Phillip R. Zuber, of Sasscer, Clagett and Bucher in Upper Marlboro.