Judge Shaem Spencer, Former Annapolis City Attorney, Named Anne Arundel County District Administrative Judge

Anne Arundel District Court Judge Shaem C.P. Spencer has been named administrative judge for District 7 (Anne Arundel County) of the District Court of Maryland. Judge Spencer succeeds District Administrative Judge John P. McKenna, Jr., who will step down from his administrative judge role in preparation for his retirement in June of 2023 after 20 years on the bench.

With the approval of Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Matthew J. Fader, District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey named Judge Spencer district administrative judge, effective October 20, 2022.

“On behalf of the Maryland Judiciary, I congratulate Judge McKenna on his distinguished judicial career,” said Chief Judge Fader. “Judge McKenna continues to serve with honor to the benefit of the people of Anne Arundel County, and of Maryland, and he will be missed upon his retirement next spring. Judge Spencer is an excellent choice as a leader to continue providing fair, effective and efficient access to justice for all.”  

District administrative judges oversee the administration of the court and also manage trial calendars to ensure the expeditious disposition of cases.

“Judge Spencer is a leader in the District Court in Anne Arundel County, and I am confident that he will do an excellent job as he fulfills this administrative role that Judge McKenna has served dutifully for more than 15 years,” said Chief Judge Morrissey. “In addition, I congratulate Judge McKenna on his impending retirement after 20 years of exemplary service to the Judiciary and more than 40 years of service to the legal profession.”

Judge Spencer was appointed as an associate judge to the District Court in Anne Arundel County in September 2008 by then-Governor Martin O’Malley. He currently serves as a member of the Equal Justice Committee of the Judicial Council. Judge Spencer also founded and currently presides over Truancy Court in Anne Arundel County. Judge Spencer previously served as a member of the Court Interpreters Committee, Maryland Judicial Conference, from 2009 to 2012. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Spencer served as an assistant state’s attorney for Prince George’s County from 1998 to 2002. He also served as a city attorney for the City of Annapolis from 2003 to 2008, and an assistant city attorney from 2002 to 2003.