Judicial Merit Selectin Comm 9-02

September 12, 2002

To: Robert W. Guth, Esquire,Past President, Howard County Bar Association

Re: Judicial Merit Selection Committee Recommendations - Vacancy - District Court of Maryland for Howard County

Dear Mr. Guth:

The Judicial Merit Selection Committee met on Wednesday, September 11 and I communicate to you the results of the meeting in your capacity as Past President of the Howard County Bar Association. Upon review of the applicants’ Personal Data Questionnaires and interview of the eleven applicants, the Committee voted on each applicant for the vacancy now extant on the District Court of Maryland for Howard County as a result of the untimely passing of the Honorable Constantine J. Sfekas. Those members of the Committee present and voting are as follows: E. Alexander Adams, Paul W. Madden, P. Michael Nagle, Cecilia B. Paizs, Diane C. Patton, Lillie Price-Wesley, Bruce I. Rothschild, Richard B. Talkin, Jack Willis and the undersigned all participated in the review and interview process. Committee members subjected the Personal Data Questionnaires to rigorous review and each candidate was questioned based upon the content within the questionnaire as well as information obtained from references and members of the legal community. Spirited and probing discussion was held concerning each applicant's qualifications, giving particular attention, care and note to the elements set forth in Section 9(d) of Article VI of the By-Laws of the Bar Association. It is critical to note with regard to these recommendations that no recommendation is a permanent vote nor does the vote apply to any future candidates application for a future vacancy.

Our By-Laws permit you to advise the Trial Court’s Judicial Nominating Commission for Howard County and the Governor that in its opinion an applicant for judicial appointment is highly recommended, recommended, not recommended, and not recommended at this time. We ask that you so advise the Trial Court's Judicial Nominating Commission and the Governor of the contents of this correspondence.

Each applicant was accorded an equal period of time before the Committee for a personal interview, which interview was positive in nature in all regards. Based upon the Personal Data Questionnaire, the personal knowledge of members of the Committee and the personal interview of the applicant, the Committee finds that Richard S. Bernhardt is “highly recommended” for the office of Judge of the District Court of Maryland for Howard County. Mr. Bernhardt was found to exhibit the highest competence to perform the duties of the office; good moral character; maturity, decisiveness, patience, courtesy; demonstrated a commitment to equal justice under law; possessed reason, commonsense and good judgment; and, exhibited a requisite experience level as an attorney to qualify him for the judicial office to which he aspires. In addition, the Committee found that he exhibited a high level of commitment to his sister and brother professionals and engaged in civic activities, aspects that prepare him well for service as a district court judge.

The Committee found that the following individuals are “recommended” for the office of Judge of the District Court of Maryland for Howard County:

Charles J. Broida

Sue-Ellen Hantman

Mary C. Reese

F. Todd Taylor, Jr.

The Committee is of the opinion that the following individuals are “not recommended” for the office of Judge of the District Court of Maryland for Howard County:

James F. Brewer

Pamela R. Johnson

Robert N. Keehner

James C. Strouse

The Committee is of the opinion that the following persons are “not recommended at this time” for the office of Judge of the District Court of Maryland for Howard County:

Mary Joanne Pizzo

William V. Tucker

With regard to the individuals found to be not recommended at this time, the Committee is of the unanimous opinion and instructed the undersigned, as Chair of the Committee, to specifically note that the aforegoing individuals, while falling within the category of “not recommended at this time,” were highly thought of by the Committee and were encouraged to apply for a judicial vacancy as it occurred in the future.

The Merit Selection Committee is pleased to advise that Richard S. Bernhardt received the unanimous vote of the Committee and is therefore “ENDORSED” by the Bar Association. The Committee also asks that I express to you and other members of the Howard County Bar Association that this process as set forth in its By-Laws proceeded and was accomplished in an efficacious and positive manner. The Committee remains convinced that this process will better assure qualified applicants reaching the bench to judge matters brought before it by citizens of this county.