After 28 years of service as County Administrative Judge for the Circuit Court for Harford County, Judge William O. Carr has decided to step down from his administrative role. He informed Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Barbera about his decision to transition the administrative responsibilities to new leadership. Judge Carr will continue serving as a trial judge. Chief Judge Barbera expressed gratitude, stating, “I am grateful to Judge Carr for his exemplary service to the people of Maryland.”
Chief Judge Barbera appointed Judge Angela M. Eaves as the successor to Judge Carr, effective January 26, 2015. As the new administrative judge, Eaves will be responsible for overseeing court administration, budget and procurement functions, and managing trial calendars to ensure efficient case disposition. Chief Judge Barbera noted that “Judge Eaves is both an accomplished jurist and an astute manager, which makes her uniquely qualified for this new assignment.”
Judge Eaves joined the Circuit Court for Harford County in December 2007 after seven years on the District Court of Maryland. She holds the distinction of being the first African-American and second woman appointed to a judgeship in Harford County and the first in either capacity on the Circuit Court. Currently, she serves on several statewide judicial committees and chairs the Domestic Violence Subcommittee.
Expressing her thoughts on her appointment, Judge Eaves said, “It is an honor to be chosen by Chief Judge Barbera and I look forward to the challenge.” She also acknowledged her predecessor's contributions: “I want to thank Judge Carr for his leadership, and I look forward to building on his fine example.”
Born in Panama and relocating to the United States in the early 1960s, Eaves graduated from both University of Texas School of Law and Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs with law and master’s degrees respectively in 1986. Her legal career began at Dallas City Attorney’s Office before moving to Maryland where she worked with Legal Aid Bureau Inc., followed by a tenure at Maryland Attorney General's Office.
Judge Eaves is active in community service through various organizations including United Way of Central Maryland Partnership and Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County among others.
She has received multiple accolades such as Leadership in Law honoree (2011), one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women (2009 & 2011), Athena Award honoree (2009), among other recognitions.