ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced appointments to the District 5 Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission, which comprises Allegany and Garrett counties. Miriam Sincell will serve as chair.
“Our Judicial Nominating Commissions are critical to our justice system, ensuring that our state trial courts are equipped to issue rulings that are rooted in fairness,”
said Gov. Moore. “I thank each of our appointees for raising their hands to serve and for helping us ensure that our state lives up to the full promise of equal justice under law.”
There are sixteen Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commissions, established by executive order. The commissions advertise judicial vacancies, seek recommendations for judicial candidates from their own membership, bar associations and members of the general public, set closing dates for the submission of judicial applications, and evaluate applicants based on their integrity, temperament, legal knowledge, and professional experience.
Governor Moore’s appointees to the District 5 Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission include:
Miriam Sincell, ChairMiriam Sincell is the chief attorney for Maryland Legal Aid’s Allegany and Garrett County office. Previously, Sincell served as the supervising attorney at the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance, worked for six years as a solo practitioner, and was a political science professor at Garrett College. She has also served on the District 5 Judicial Nominating Commission during former Governor Martin O’Malley’s administration.
Sincell earned her law degree from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law.
Arnold Fred PhillipsArnold Phillips is a solo practitioner in Garrett County, focusing on personal injury, criminal defense, family law, estate and trusts, and business litigation. He previously co-owned Clearwater Land Services, LLC and Natural Gas and Oil Consultants, LLC, and served as president of the Garrett County Bar Association.
Phillips earned his law degree from West Virginia University School of Law.
Christopher LogsdonChristopher Logsdon is a solo practitioner in Allegany County with a practice focused on family and elder law. He serves on the board of directors of the Allegany Museum, the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport Authority, and the Family Crisis Resource Center.
Logsdon earned his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Daniel Russell DumproffDaniel Dumproff is an assistant state’s attorney for Washington, Carroll, and Allegany counties. He previously practiced as a criminal defense attorney.
Dumproff earned his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Donald Scott GoldbloomDonald Goldbloom has been a solo practitioner in Garrett County for nearly 30 years, focusing on consumer bankruptcy, family law, and workers’ compensation. He previously served as an assistant state’s attorney in Allegany County and taught at West Virginia Career College.
Goldbloom earned his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
James Matthew GilmoreJames Gilmore is the managing partner of Geppert, McMullen, Paye & Getty. His practice focuses on healthcare law and complex civil litigation. He also serves as co-chair of both the 3rd Appellate Circuit Character Committee and State Board of Law Examiners, and has served on the boards of the City of Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission and Greater Cumberland Commission.
Gilmore earned his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Jayci Shaw DuncanJayci Shaw Duncan is a solo practitioner focused on residential and commercial real estate law. Previously, she served as a partner at Skidmore, Alderson & Duncan, and served as a law clerk in Washington County.
Duncan earned her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Joan LeathermanJoan Leatherman is the family services coordinator and help center supervisor for the Allegany County Circuit Court. Previously, she worked as a staff attorney at the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau. Additionally, Leatherman serves on the Family Violence Council—which is established through the Family Crisis Resource Center—the YMCA Family Center Advisory Council, and the board of the Allegany Law Foundation.
Leatherman earned her law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
Victor RezendesVictor Rezendes worked for 34 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Since his retirement in 2004, Rezendes has volunteered with organizations in Cumberland, including the Allegany Arts Council and Heritage Days Committee.
Rezendes is a U.S. Army veteran, and earned his Master of Public Administration from George Washington University.
Elizabeth LammElizabeth Lamm is an assistant public defender for Allegany and Garrett counties. She previously worked as a solo practitioner in family law and criminal defense, and earlier served as a law clerk for the Circuit Court for Washington County.
Lamm earned her law degree from Duquesne University School of Law.
Mary Jane O’RourkeMary Jane O’Rourke is employed by the Allegany County Board of Education as a home school evaluator. She previously worked as a teacher and administrator at Frostburg State University and Fort Hill High School. O’Rourke is an active participant in several civic organizations, including the Allegany Arts Council and Allegany County Museum.
O’Rourke earned her bachelor’s degree from Immaculata University and her master's degree from Bowling Green State University.
Jacqueline McKenzieJacqueline McKenzie is the founder and lead organizer of Cumberland Pride, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in Western Maryland. Before founding Cumberland Pride, McKenzie served as an adult education instructor at Frederick Community College. Additionally, she served as an educator for Frederick County Public Schools and the Archdiocese of Baltimore, where she taught biology and chemistry.
McKenzie earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master's degree in teaching from Frostburg State University.
Mary Ann Duddleson MoenMary Ann Duddleson Moen is a retired bank executive, most recently serving as vice president and trust administrator for M&T Bank Corporation, Wilmington Trust. Prior to her career in banking, Moen served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable K. Frederick Sharer at the Allegany County Circuit Court. Additionally, Moen is currently a board member of the Allegany College of Maryland Foundation, and a member of the Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award Selection Committee.
Moen earned her law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.