Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera has appointed Judge Audrey J. S. Carrión as the administrative judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Baltimore City, effective January 12, 2020. Judge Carrión will replace Judge W. Michel Pierson, who is retiring after nearly 16 years on the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
Judge Pierson joined the court in January 2004 and became circuit administrative judge on December 1, 2013. "Judge Pierson has been a committed and exceptional leader of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City," stated Chief Judge Barbera. She praised his service to the Judiciary and residents of Maryland while expressing confidence in Judge Carrión's qualifications to lead the court.
The role of circuit administrative judge involves overseeing court administration, budget, procurement functions, and managing trial calendars for efficient case resolution. "I am honored to have Chief Judge Barbera’s trust and support in this new chapter of service," said Judge Carrión.
Judge Carrión's judicial career began with her appointment to the District Court in Baltimore City in December 1995 before moving to the Circuit Court in November 1999. She led the family division from November 2003 to December 2009 and has represented the Eighth Judicial Circuit on various committees since 2013.
Her education includes Colegio Espiritu Santo in Puerto Rico, College of Notre Dame of Maryland (1981), and University of Baltimore School of Law (1984). Before her judicial roles, she practiced law at Russell and Thompson, P.A., Piper & Marbury, and served in Maryland's Attorney General Office.
Judge Carrión has received several accolades including being named one of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” by The Daily Record twice. In addition to awards from The Daily Record and Maryland Hispanic Bar Association, she is a fellow at both Maryland Bar Foundation and Baltimore City Bar Foundation.
Reflecting on his tenure, Judge Pierson remarked: "I have had the honor of working with Judge Carrión since I came to the bench... It is reassuring to leave the management of the court in such capable hands."