Court of Appeals of Maryland Chief Judge Joseph M. Getty has appointed Judge Yolanda L. Curtin as the new county administrative judge for the Circuit Court for Harford County. This appointment, effective March 23, 2022, follows Judge Angela M. Eaves's recent promotion to the Court of Appeals of Maryland by Governor Hogan.
"Judge Curtin is an accomplished jurist and well-respected leader who will carry out the Maryland Judiciary’s mission to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all," stated Chief Judge Joseph M. Getty. "I am confident that she will serve the people of Harford County, and of Maryland, with honor and distinction."
County administrative judges have responsibilities that include overseeing court administration, managing budgets and procurement functions, and handling trial calendars to ensure timely case resolutions.
"I am honored and grateful to Chief Judge Getty for the trust and confidence he has placed in me to serve as administrative judge," said Administrative Judge Yolanda L. Curtin. She expressed her appreciation for working alongside Judge Eaves and congratulated her on her career milestone. "I look forward to collaborating with my esteemed colleagues on the bench and the incredibly hardworking court staff," she added.
Judge Curtin has been an associate judge at the Circuit Court for Harford County since November 2013 following her appointment by then-Governor Martin O'Malley after Judge Emory A. Plitt's retirement.
Her roles extend beyond this position as she is a member of several committees including serving on the Judicial Council’s Equal Justice Committee as chair of its Diversity and Inclusion Education Subcommittee. She also participated in various judicial committees from 2015 through 2020.
Before joining the judiciary, Judge Curtin worked as an assistant state’s attorney for Harford County from 1994 until 2004 and later served as an administrative law judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings until 2013.
Academically, Judge Curtin holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics and English from Rutgers University (1989), a juris doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law (1992), admission to both New Jersey (1992) and Maryland Bars (1993), followed by a Master of Laws in securities regulation from Georgetown University Law Center (1993).
She contributed pro bono legal services through Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service between 1994-2002 while being active in local bar associations including leadership roles within Harford County Bar Association over multiple years.
Judge Curtin is noted for her Cuban heritage which aligns with her membership in both Maryland Hispanic Bar Association—where she received an Outstanding Achievement Award—and Women's Bar Associations since mid-2000s along with mentoring initiatives supporting aspiring law students.