Judge Killough is Governor Moore’s First Appointee to Supreme Court of Maryland

Governor Wes Moore is appointing Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Peter K. Killough to the Supreme Court of Maryland to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Michele Hotten. Judge Killough is the first appointee since the Court’s 2022 name change, and therefore will be the first to hold the title “Justice” from day one of his service on the Court.

This appointment is Governor Moore’s first to the Supreme Court of Maryland. The next anticipated retirement is not for another five years, when Justice Shirley Watts reaches mandatory retirement age in 2029.

[Update] Below is the text of Governor Moore’s press release:

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced the appointment of the Hon. Peter K. Killough to the Supreme Court of Maryland, Fourth Appellate Judicial Circuit.
“Judge Killough is a public servant in every sense. He has dedicated over a decade of his life to serving the people of Maryland, and we are grateful that he has raised his hand, once again, to make our state better,” said Gov. Moore. “Today, the Supreme Court gains a talented, dedicated, and thoughtful leader who will help ensure equal justice under the law for all Marylanders.” 
Judge Peter K. Killough currently serves as an Associate Judge on the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, a position he’s held since his appointment in 2018.  
Prior to his service on the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Judge Killough spent nearly 10 years with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. He started in 2009 as counsel for the People’s Insurance Counsel Division advocating for insurance consumers. He later worked as director of the Maryland Medicaid Fraud Unit, investigating and criminally prosecuting matters involving Medicaid fraud and allegations of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in facilities. 
Earlier in his career, Judge Killough served as a senior attorney for the Ford Motor Company’s Office of General Counsel and prior to that practiced at Carter, Ledyard and Milburn, where he focused on corporate law.
Judge Killough received his B.A. from New York University, during which time he served in the New York National Guard. After graduating, he served three years on active duty for the U.S. Army. While in law school, he served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.