Maryland Supreme Court Removes Orphans Court Chief Judge Vickie Gipson Amid Renewed Questions Over Equity and Unequal Treatment
The Supreme Court of Maryland has ordered the immediate removal of Vickie Gipson from her position as the Chief Judge of the Orphans’ Court for Anne Arundel County, bringing a consequential end to a disciplinary case that had already generated questions about equity, unequal treatment, workplace conflict and the handling of concerns raised by Gipson within Maryland’s judicial system. The order was issued Oct. 5, the same day Maryland’s highest court heard arguments in the judicial disciplinary matter. The Court said a more detailed opinion explaining the reasons for its decision will be filed at a later date. The case reached the Supreme Court following a recommendation from the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities, which referred its findings, conclusions of law and recommendation for removal to the Court. According to the Supreme Court’s order, the Commission determined that Judge Gipson violated several provisions of Maryland’s judicial conduct rules, including r...
