(Annapolis, MD — August 29, 2005) Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge, Robert M. Bell, and Prince George’s Circuit Court Administrative Judge, William D. Missouri, who also serves as Chair of the Maryland Conference of Circuit Judges, will hold leadership roles in prominent national organizations during 2006-2007.

Judge Bell was elected president-elect of the Conference of Chief Justices at the conference’s annual meeting in August. Judge Bell will begin his term as president next year, also serving as the chair of the Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts. Judge Bell served as first vice-president of the Conference of Chief Justices during 2005.

Judge Missouri was elected chair-elect of the National Conference of State Trial Judges at the American Bar Association’s annual meeting in August. General jurisdiction trial judges from throughout the country selected Judge Missouri for the position. Judge Missouri will become conference chair in August 2006 at the American Bar Association’s annual meeting in Hawaii.

“I feel particularly blessed and pleased because, to my knowledge, I am the first Maryland judge to hold this position,” Judge Missouri said.

Please contact the Court Information Office at 410-260-1488 for more information.

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