Talley, Harrington named to bench

O'Malley picks prosecutor, master

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Domestic Relations Master Helen I. Harrington will step into the post vacated last year by Circuit Court Judge Christopher C. Henderson. Assistant State's Attorney Kenneth A. Talley will become a district court judge, replacing Judge Richard A. Cooper, who retired March 1.

Senator Thomas "Mac" Middleton said that Talley's appointment as the first African-American judge in Charles County is "a very important milestone." Middleton, who expressed worries last year that the county bench lacks diversity, added that the appointment sends a positive message for the county and for the black community.

"I was concerned at first because the bench did not reflect the Charles County community. It does now," said Middleton (D-Charles).

Talley said it "goes without saying" that his distinction as the county's first black judge is significant to him. "I certainly don't think I'm the first to be qualified, but I'm the first to have this opportunity that is qualified, and I'm grateful for that," he said.

Talley also said he hopes to represent the whole county from the bench.

"I hope the presence of someone who reflects a segment of the community previously unrepresented makes a difference symbolically, but my intent is to be a judge for everybody and not just for one segment of the community," Talley said.

William Braxton, president of the Charles County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said that "this could be a turning point" for the county.

"… Mr. Talley is certainly qualified for the job, and, as an African-American and a civil rights leader, I stand proud to be from Charles County," Braxton wrote in an e-mail.

Talley, 39, graduated from law school in 1993. He practiced law part time and taught at a public school for several years. He clerked for Prince George's County Circuit Court Judge Herman C. Dawson and then entered a practice with attorney Don Ansell. In 2000, Talley joined the Charles County Public Defender's Office, where he worked his way through the ranks. When he left, he partnered with now-Charles County Commissioner Reuben B. Collins II (D). His most recent move was to the Charles County State's Attorney's Office in 2007.

When Talley was a public defender, District Court Judge Gary Gasparovic, who retired in 2004, pulled him aside and told him he should consider setting his sights on the bench.

"That's the first time the light bulb went off," Talley said.

But while Talley said that being chosen as judge is "exciting and overwhelming," he added that the appointment has greater significance.

"It's not about me. It's about what I can do to benefit the community. I hope I can bring something to the bench to contribute," he said.

In addition to working as a state's attorney, Talley, who lives in Waldorf with his wife and son, is on the board of directors at the Jude House and is vice president of the Charles County Bar Association. He said he also works with students at local schools.

"Volunteer work is important to me," he said.

Talley said he's excited about becoming a judge, but he'll miss his co-workers at the state's attorney's office.

One of them, Deputy State's Attorney Anthony B. Covington, said that Talley has a good temperament for being a judge. "And of course, he's got the intellect for it, so I think he's going to do a great job," he said. "I think it's a great appointment by the governor."

Deputy State's Attorney Jerome Spencer, who was also a candidate for the district court position, said that he thinks Talley will be an "outstanding judge."

"I have known Ken for many years as an adversary, colleague and friend, and there's no one who stands out more for integrity, fairness and responsibility than Ken Talley," Spencer said.

Harrington, who is O'Malley's choice for circuit court judge, was the first domestic relations master in Charles County, and she has held the post since 1992.

She said that her first job after graduating from law school was at the Washington, D.C., firm Morgan, Lewis and Bockius, where she worked mostly in business law. Harrington said she did a "brief stint" at home after having her two sons, and then joined the Charles County State's Attorney's Office. She worked as a prosecutor for about five years before becoming the domestic relations master, at the time a newly created position.

"I've loved it. It's the most interesting job," said Harrington, 59, of La Plata, adding that she enjoys the social and mental components of her work.

"Law is intellectually challenging, but you're also interacting with people and having an effect on their lives. It's that balance that interests me," she said.

On Thursday, Harrington found out about her appointment to the circuit court spot.

"I was stunned," she said.

Harrington said she has a lot to learn, but her experience managing dockets and a courtroom will come in handy as she dons a robe.

Still, she is both excited and nervous about her move into the circuit court.

She said she knows that people will begin to see her differently when she becomes a judge.

"Today, I'm ‘Helen.' But next week, I'll be ‘Judge,'" Harrington said. "It's a very isolating position. Having said that, I'll try to have an open door."

In addition to her work, Harrington is involved in her church and is the vice chairwoman of the search committee to appoint a new rector there. She has also spent time developing a problem-solving court for parents with addictions that prevent them from appropriately caring for their children. The program is now being approved.

Diana Donahue, a staff attorney with the Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy, described Harrington as organized, smart and personable and said she will make an excellent judge.

"She has the ability to make decisions based on what she has heard from all sides," said Donahue, who has known Harrington for more than 20 years and worked with her at the state's attorney's office.

Donahue said that Harrington has proven herself to be fair and competent as a domestic relations master.

"She has all the qualities you'd want to see in a judge," Donahue said.

A date hasn't been set for Talley and Harrington to be sworn in as judges. They are waiting for a commission from Annapolis to visit Charles County court.

"I am proud to appoint such a highly qualified and diverse group of candidates to serve in courts across our state," said O'Malley (D) in a press release.

brodgers@somdnews.com