Howard Circuit Court's Judge Dudley announces he will retire in January

Notice comes shortly after 2 masters depart

Howard County Circuit Court Judge James B. Dudley has announced he is retiring Jan. 7.

Dudley, 67, has been on the Howard Circuit Court bench since 1989. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. will choose his successor.

Born in Escanaba, Mich., Dudley graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1965.

He worked as a probation officer before becoming a prosecutor for seven years in the Baltimore state's attorney's office, where he later was chief of the trial division. He then went into private practice.

In 1988, then-Gov. William Donald Schaefer appointed Dudley as a District Court judge, and he became a circuit judge less than a year later.

Dudley's announcement comes after the fall retirement of two Circuit Court masters in chancery, Bernard A. Raum and Nancy L. Haslinger. Their replacements are scheduled to begin Dec. 1.

The Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for the 9th Commission District is accepting applications for Dudley's position.

Candidates can request a personal data questionnaire from Deborah A. Unitus or Linda Etzold by writing the Administrative Office of the Courts, Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis 21401, or by calling 410-260-1291. The information is also available at www.courts.state.md.us. The deadline for applications is Nov. 29.