Candidates for judge spot polish resumés

Ten vie for seat to be vacated by Henderson in December

Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

The deadline to apply for the position was Sept. 8, and prosecutors from the state’s attorney’s office, private defense attorneys and a district court judge have all put their name in the running.

A judicial nominating committee, headed by La Plata attorney Rudolf A. Carrico Jr., will meet in October to select three applicants. The names of these candidates will then be submitted to Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who has the final say about Henderson’s replacement.

The applicants are Tonia Yvetta Belton-Gofreed, Douglas Craig Cooley, Helen Ina Harrington, Shara Gabrielle Hendler, William Louis Hennessy, Karen Rhoberta Piper, William Francis Renahan, Thomas Raymond Simpson Jr., Jerome Richard Spencer and Kenneth Aughtry Talley.

Belton-Gofreed works as an associate county attorney in Prince George’s County. She has worked at a private law firm, the Prince George’s County Attorney’s Office and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.

‘‘I have a wealth of experience and background,” she said. ‘‘I’ve heard it all.”

Cooley is a master of juvenile causes in Charles County. He has also worked in the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office and in private practice. In July 2007, he became the juvenile master, chiefly handling juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance cases.

‘‘I have a good courtroom demeanor, and I’m approachable. ... I’m a smart, nice guy,” Cooley said.

Harrington is a master of domestic relations in Charles County. She has also worked in private practice and as a prosecutor. She became a master of domestic relations in 1992.

‘‘I’ve got years of experience sitting on the bench. I’m very patient and a good listener,” she said. ‘‘It’s fascinating to watch all kinds of human behavior.”

Hendler works as a private defense attorney in Riderwood. Before she joined her practice, she worked as a prosecutor in the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office.

‘‘I feel strongly about justice. All too often you don’t get justice in the justice system,” Hendler said.

Hennessy works as an associate judge in Charles County District Court, a position he has held since 2005. He has worked as a police officer in Washington, D.C., and as a private attorney. He could not be reached for comment.

Piper is an assistant state’s attorney in Charles County. She’s worked at the state’s attorney’s office in Charles County since 1999, and was a law clerk in Prince George’s County Circuit Court before that.

‘‘I have a good understanding of the law,” Piper said, adding that she works ‘‘well with everyone who comes into the courtroom.” She also said she would like being involved in the community as a judge. ‘‘We can just watch or take the reins,” she said.

Renahan is a supervising attorney at the office of the public defender in Charles County. He has also worked as a private defense attorney and as an attorney with the office of the public defender in Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and Charles counties.

‘‘My experience is very broad,” Renahan said. If he becomes a judge, Renahan said he would like to bring ‘‘fairness and justice to Charles County.”

Simpson works as a private attorney in La Plata. He has spent many years in private practice, but has also worked as an assistant county attorney.

‘‘I am very well-rounded,” he said. ‘‘This is a chance to do something for the community and help shape it.”

Spencer is a deputy state’s attorney in Charles County. He has worked for the state’s attorney’s office in Charles County since 1998.

‘‘I’ve worked my entire professional career in Charles County,” he said, adding that he enjoys ‘‘really following and applying” the law.

Talley is an assistant state’s attorney in Charles County. Before he was a prosecutor, Talley worked as a law clerk, a public defender and a private attorney. In April 2007, he joined the state’s attorney’s office, and he also acts as a judge in Charles County’s teen court.

‘‘To be a judge, you need to be consistent, and I am rarely upset,” Talley said. ‘‘I do a good job of maintaining composure.” He also said he has the legal experience to take the position.