Judge Ruth A. Jakubowski named circuit and county administrative judge

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera has named Judge Ruth A. Jakubowski as county administrative judge for the Circuit Court for Baltimore County and circuit administrative judge for the Third Judicial Circuit, which includes Baltimore and Harford counties. The designation is effective December 19, 2020.

Judge Jakubowski will succeed Judge Kathleen Gallogly Cox, who has served for seven years as both county and circuit administrative judge. Judge Cox will retire on February 2, 2021, after almost 22 years on the bench at the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Judge Cox was appointed to the court on February 10, 1999, and has served as the circuit and county administrative judge since August 27, 2013. Judge Cox also served as vice chair of the Conference of Circuit Court Judges (Conference) from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016, and chair of the Conference from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018.

“On behalf of the Judiciary, we are grateful to Judge Cox for her exceptional service as circuit and county administrative judge,” said Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera. “Judge Cox is a distinguished jurist who has provided exemplary service and leadership to the Judiciary, the residents of Baltimore County, and the people of Maryland. Judge Jakubowski is an experienced judge and adept manager whose dedication, commitment, and integrity will serve her well in carrying out the multiple demands of this important administrative assignment. I look forward to working closely with Judge Jakubowski as we work to provide access to justice for all in Maryland.”

County and circuit administrative judges oversee the administration of the court, budget, and procurement functions. They also manage trial calendars to ensure the expeditious disposition of cases.

“I am honored to be selected by Chief Judge Barbera for this new responsibility and I appreciate her trust and support,” said Judge Jakubowski. “It has been a privilege to have worked with Judge Cox. I hope to continue in this new position by building on the extraordinary leadership that Judge Cox has shown over the past seven years, especially during these challenging times. I look forward to this opportunity to serve both the courts and my community in this new role.”

Judge Jakubowski was appointed to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County in May 2002. She graduated cum laude from William Smith College in 1975 and earned her M.P.A. from Syracuse University and her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1978 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar the same year.

Prior to her judicial appointment, Judge Jakubowski was in private practice and was a partner at the law firm of Dugan, Jakubowski and Babij, LLC. She has been active in the Maryland State Bar Association and Baltimore County Bar Association, where she served and chaired committees on Judicial Administration and Professionalism. She has previously served on the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Public Awareness Committees of the Judiciary.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Maryland and, specifically, of Baltimore County over the past 21 years,” said Judge Cox. “The professionals at the Circuit Court for Baltimore County have been a pleasure to work with, and I know that the transition of leadership to Judge Jakubowski will be smooth and seamless.”

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