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Court Information Office
Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building
361 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, Maryland
410-260-1488
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Sally Rankin  410-260-1488


New Judge in Charge of Civil Docket Named for Baltimore City Circuit Court

(Baltimore City, MD – June 20, 2005) Baltimore City Circuit Court Administrative Judge Marcella A. Holland announced that Judge Evelyn Omega Cannon has been designated the court’s judge in charge of the civil docket effective today. The responsibility is transferred to Judge Cannon from Judge Carol E. Smith, who served as a District Court judge from 1985 to 1993, when she became a Circuit Court judge. Judge Smith has been judge in charge of the civil docket since 2000.

Sworn in as an Associate Judge on the court in December 1996, Judge Cannon was appointed to the Business and Technology Case Management Program for the Court in 2003. She currently chairs the Personnel Committee for the court.

“Judge Cannon brings to this role a breadth of experience, and a deep understanding of the issues our circuit court faces every day,” Judge Holland said. “In addition, she is widely valued for her leadership in the courts and the greater community.”

A native of New Orleans, Judge Cannon received her B.A. from the University of New Orleans and her J.D. and L.L.M. from Duke University. After a year at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, she was appointed to the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Law. Prior to becoming a judge, she was Chief of Litigation for the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

Judge Cannon, who was recognized in May at the YMCA Leadership Lunch, has been named twice as one of the Top 100 Women in Maryland by the Daily Record. She is a fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation and a member of the Judicial Institute’s board. Judge Cannon also teaches trial advocacy throughout the country for the National Institute of Trial Academy.

During Judge Smith’s tenure, she oversaw expansion of mediation to other areas of civil law such as workers' compensation cases. Most recently she has been working with the City bar to develop mediation in certain motor tort cases. In addition, Judge Smith has been working on a plan to expand e-filing to other civil cases, in addition to the asbestos docket.

“Judge Carol Smith has led the civil division with strong decisive determination to keep us among the best in the state in the timely disposition of civil cases,” Judge Holland said.

For more information, please call the Court Information Office at 410/260-1488.



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