Moore appoints new judges in Montgomery, Worcester counties

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Gov. Wes Moore announced the appointment of two new judges on Wednesday. James J. Dietrich was named to the Montgomery County Circuit Court, and Kristina L. Watkowski was named to the Worcester County Circuit Court.

Dietrich has been a prosecutor with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for the past seven years, as a member of the major crimes and post convictions units. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. He teaches courses on evidence, criminal procedure and trial practice.

He began his career as a prosecutor with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he served as assistant state’s attorney for 21 years and served as the circuit court trial team leader for over 10 years.

Dietrich earned his bachelor’s degree from Lemoyne College and his law degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Watkowski has been an attorney with Booth, Cropper & Marriner since 2022, with a practice primarily focused on civil litigation with a concentration in land use and zoning. Watkowski began her legal career clerking for Judges Theodore R. Eschenburg Sr. and Thomas C. Groton III in the Worcester County Circuit Court.

She went on to work with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, where she ultimately became the supervising attorney for the Worcester County office. During her time with the public defender’s office, Watkowski developed long-lasting relationships with partner agencies while representing clients charged with both minor and serious criminal offenses.

Watkowski earned her associate’s degree from Howard Community College, her bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University and her law degree from Delaware Law School.

“The Montgomery County and Worcester County Circuit Courts are gaining two remarkable servants of the law,” Moore said in the announcement. “Throughout their legal careers, James Dietrich and Kristina Watkowski have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to integrity and justice that will serve the people of Maryland well for years to come. I thank them for raising their hands to serve on the bench.”