Governor appoints Getty to Court of Appeals, Geter and Beachley to Court of Special Appeals

By Steve Klepper (Twitter: @MDAppeal)

Governor Larry Hogan today announced three appointments to the Maryland appellate courts. The governor’s Chief Legislative Officer, Joseph Getty, will fill the vacant high court seat reserved for residents of the third appellate district (Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, and Washington counties). Getty is 64 years old. Unless the mandatory retirement age is increased from 70, the seat will become vacant in another six years. Don’t expect the sort of fireworks from the last time a governor appointed his CLO to the Court of Appeals.

Judge Donald Beachley, who sits on the Circuit Court for Washington County, was a finalist for the Court of Appeals seat. He is getting a heck of a consolation prize – an appointment to an at-large seat on the Court of Special Appeals.

Circuit Court Judge Melanie M. Shaw Geter received an appointment to the seat on the Court of Special Appeals reserved for Prince George’s County. She fills the vacancy created when Governor Hogan appointed Judge Michele D. Hotten to the Court of Appeals.

The text of the press release is below:

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the appointments of the Hon. Joseph Getty to the Maryland Court of Appeals, and Judge Donald Beachley and Judge Melanie Shaw Geter to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. The governor made the appointments after reviewing nominees from the judicial nominating commissions.

Joseph M. Getty is currently serving as Governor Hogan’s chief legislative officer, and will fill a vacancy on the Maryland Court of Appeals.

“Joe is a devoted public servant who has spent his entire career and a good portion of his life in service to his community and to our state,” said Governor Hogan. “His unquestionable integrity, deep legal expertise, and devotion to the people of Maryland make him an excellent fit for the state’s highest court. I have complete confidence that he will continue to be a strong advocate for the law and our citizens while serving on the Maryland Court of Appeals.”

Prior to serving in the governor’s administration, Senator Getty represented parts of Baltimore and Carroll Counties in both the Maryland State Senate and in the Maryland House of Delegates. While in the legislature, he served on the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. Getty graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law, received a master’s degree in American Civilization from George Washington University, and a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Washington College.

“I am also happy to offer my sincere congratulations to Judge Beachley and Judge Shaw Geter, who I am appointing to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals,” said Governor Hogan. “Combined, they have more than 40 years of judicial experience, and are the most qualified candidates to fill these vacancies.”

Donald E. Beachley is currently serving as an associate judge in the Washington County Circuit Court, and will fill a vacancy on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. His previous experience includes serving as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Maryland; a partner with Miller, Miller, Oliver, Beachley & Stone; and a clerk for a Maryland Court of Appeals judge. Judge Beachley graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law, and received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Hood College.

Melanie M. Shaw Geter is currently serving as an associate judge for the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, and will fill a vacancy on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Her previous experience includes serving as a Prince George’s County District Court judge and as a Prince George’s County prosecutor. Judge Shaw Geter graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law, and received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Howard University.