Judge Michael J. Stamm named administrative judge of St. Mary’s County Circuit Court

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera today announced that Judge Michael J. Stamm will serve as county administrative judge of the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County. The designation will be effective March 19, 2018. Judge Stamm succeeds Judge Karen H. Abrams, who is retiring after serving as a judge of the Circuit Court for more than 15 years and as county administrative judge since November 2005.

County administrative judges oversee the administration of the court, budget, and procurement functions and manage trial calendars to ensure the expeditious disposition of cases.

“Judge Abrams has led the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County through a period of change and modernization. Most recently, she was an integral part of the complex planning and successful implementation in St. Mary’s County of the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC), which is now fully operational in Southern Maryland,” Chief Judge Barbera said. “She has served the people of St. Mary’s County well, and we have been fortunate to have her as a member of Judiciary leadership. I am confident that Judge Stamm, who has served his community for more than 10 years on the Circuit Court, has led the juvenile drug treatment court program as presiding judge for the past decade, and chairs the Maryland Judicial Council’s Juvenile Law Committee, will bring valuable experience to his new responsibilities. I look forward to his contributions in this important leadership role,” Chief Judge Barbera said.

“It has been wonderful to work with Judge Abrams. She has been county administrative judge since I began my time on the bench and has set an excellent example of effective leadership,” Judge Stamm said. “I am looking forward to this new responsibility, and I thank Chief Judge Barbera for her support and trust.”

Judge Stamm was appointed to the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court on January 13, 2006. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 1978 and a Master of Arts degree in education and human development from George Washington University in 1983. He was a teacher in the St. Mary’s County public school system from 1978 to 1990 while attending law school. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1990 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar the same year. He was in private practice as a sole practitioner and was also an assistant state’s attorney from 1992 to 1995 and Deputy State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County from 1999 to 2006. 

“It has been an honor to serve as a judge. I have had the privilege and a unique opportunity to work with remarkable colleagues and court staff who are dedicated to serving our community and our state,” Judge Abrams said. “Having worked with Judge Stamm for more than a decade, I believe he is an excellent choice as county administrative judge because of his temperament, intellect, and work ethic.”

Judge Abrams, who will retire March 19, has served on the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court since October 18, 2002, and was named county administrative judge on November 7, 2005. In addition, she has been presiding judge of the adult substance abuse recovery court since 2008. 

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