(Annapolis, MD — July 31, 2007) District Judge John P. McKenna, Jr., has been appointed administrative judge for Anne Arundel County (District 7). Chief Judge Ben C. Clyburn of the District Court of Maryland announced the appointment, which is effective today.

As administrative judge, Judge McKenna is responsible for the administration of the Anne Arundel County District Court, including the supervision of all judges, officers, and employees. He is also charged with the expeditious disposition of cases, management of the trial calendar, and oversight of the court’s budget and procurement functions.

Judge McKenna has served on the District Court since 2002. He is replacing Judge James W. Dryden, who retired after 16 years as district judge, including serving as administrative judge since 1998.

Before joining the bench, Judge McKenna was assistant state’s attorney for Prince George’s County from 1979 to 1985 and associate county attorney from 1985 to1988. From 1988 to 2002, he was a member of the law firm of O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, with offices in Greenbelt and Annapolis. Judge McKenna graduated from Georgetown University in 1975, earned his law degree from the University of Maryland in 1978, and was admitted to the Maryland Bar that year.

For more information, please contact the Court Information Office at (410) 260-1488.