Frederick County District Judge Dino E. Flores, Jr., has been appointed as the administrative judge for District 11, which includes Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland. This appointment was made by Chief Judge John P. Morrissey of the District Court of Maryland, with approval from Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera of the Maryland Court of Appeals. The new role became effective on January 2, 2018.
Chief Judge Morrissey stated, "Judge Flores’ experience with the public defender and state’s attorney’s office makes him a strong candidate for the role of district administrative judge."
Judge Flores takes over from Judge Oliver J. Cejka, Jr., who had served as the administrative judge for District 11 for ten years since his appointment to the Frederick County District Court on August 23, 2005. Judge Cejka is stepping down voluntarily but will assist Judge Flores during the transition period.
"I am confident he will follow in the footsteps of Judge Cejka to serve the people of Frederick and Washington counties," said Chief Judge Morrissey. "I thank Judge Cejka for his continued exemplary service."
Judge Flores joined the Frederick County District Court bench on July 29, 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1989. His career began as a law clerk to Judge James S. McAuliffe, Jr., in Montgomery County Circuit Court from 1989 to 1990 before being admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1990.
His professional journey includes roles as assistant public defender and assistant state’s attorney in Montgomery County between 1990 and 1994, followed by a position as assistant state’s attorney in Frederick County until 1999. Prior to his judicial appointment, he worked at the Law Offices of Steven D. Kuferberg and later became an attorney and partner at Schaffer, Black & Flores.
Judge Flores is involved with several legal associations including serving on the Maryland Electronic Courts Advisory Committee and having previously presided over the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association from 2000 to 2001.
Reflecting on recent changes within the court system such as MDEC's implementation and other reforms, Judge Flores remarked, “We have seen some system wide changes in the last year with the advent of MDEC, the passage of the Justice Reinvestment Act, and the Bail Reform Rule, amongst others,” adding that he is honored to contribute to maintaining District 11's reputation within Maryland's judiciary.