Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan’s opportunity to begin to remake Maryland’s highest court is coming sooner than anticipated.
With no public announcement, Clayton Greene Jr. has retired as one of seven judges on the Maryland Court of Appeals – about 18 months before he hit the state’s mandatory retirement age for judges, which is 70.
The Daily Record reported that Greene’s retirement, while not announced publicly, was noted in a court opinion issued on July 3, and is now included xcon a list of judicial vacancies on a state website.
Greene has served on the appeals court for 15 ½ years, holding a seat representing the 5th Appellate Judicial Circuit – which covers Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. He was appointed to the high court by then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., a Republican.
Hogan has already appointed three judges to the appeals court since taking office in 2015: Michele D. Hotten, Joseph M. Getty and Brynja M. Booth.
Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera, along with Getty and Judge Robert N. McDonald will also hit retirement age before Hogan leaves office in early 2023.