(BALTIMORE – Feb. 4, 2010) Baltimore City District Judge John R. Hargrove, Jr., has been appointed administrative judge for District 1, Baltimore City. Chief Judge Ben C. Clyburn of the District Court of Maryland made the announcement of the appointment, which will become effective March 3.

Judge Hargrove replaces Judge Keith E. Mathews, who will retire on March 2. Judge Mathews has served as a Baltimore District Court judge since 1983 and administrative judge since 1999.

Judge Hargrove’s father, the late Hon. John R. Hargrove, Sr., was the first administrative judge for the Baltimore City District Court. The District Court’s Hargrove Building at 700 E. Patapsco Ave. is named in his honor. “My dad was a good egg and a wonderful person,” Judge Hargrove said. “I’m very pleased and honored to have this unique opportunity to literally follow in his footsteps.”

As administrative judge, Judge Hargrove will be responsible for the administration of the District Court for Baltimore City, including the supervision of all judges, officers, and employees. He is also charged with the expeditious disposition of cases, management of the trial calendar, and oversight of the court’s budget and procurement functions.

“Judge Hargrove brings a wealth of experience to this position,” Judge Clyburn said. “He has extensive background in both the governance and management of the Maryland Judiciary. I look forward to his continuing the fine leadership in Baltimore’s District Court as experienced during Judge Mathews’ tenure.”

A former assistant attorney general, Judge Hargrove has served on the bench since 1998. He is a Baltimore native and graduated from Gilman School. After graduating from Washington and Lee University, Judge Hargrove earned his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law and was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1987. From 1986 to 1987, he was a law clerk to Judge Arrie W. Davis when he was a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge and, from 1987 to 1988, served as law clerk to Judge Robert M. Bell when he was on the Court of Special Appeals. Judge Hargrove was an associate at Venable, Baetjer, and Howard from 1988 until 1990, when he was appointed an assistant attorney general for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. In 1994, he joined the general litigation unit of the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and in 1997 he was appointed deputy counsel to the Maryland Insurance Administration, a position he held until his appointment to the bench in 1998. Judge Hargrove has been active in several Judiciary committees, including the Administrative Judges' Committee, Judicial Council, and Technology Oversight Board.

“I am deeply honored to receive this appointment,” Judge Hargrove said. “I would like to thank Chief Judge Clyburn for the confidence he has shown in me in making this appointment, as well as Judge Mathews for the wonderful example of leadership he has provided, which I hope to continue.”

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A photo of Judge John R. Hargrove, Jr., is available. Please contact the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, 410-260-1488, for more information.

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