Baltimore City District Court Judge Geoffrey G. Hengerer has been appointed as the administrative judge for District 1 (Baltimore City) of the District Court of Maryland. This announcement follows the retirement of District Administrative Judge Halee F. Weinstein, who will step down on August 4, 2022, after two decades of service.
The appointment was made by District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey with approval from Court of Appeals of Maryland Chief Judge Matthew J. Fader. The new role for Judge Hengerer will commence on May 13, 2022, while Judge Weinstein will assist with leadership transition until her retirement date.
District administrative judges have responsibilities that include overseeing court administration, managing budgets and procurement functions, and handling trial calendars to ensure timely case resolutions.
“I congratulate Judge Weinstein on 20 years of exemplary service to the Maryland Judiciary as a leader in the District Court in Baltimore City,” stated Chief Judge Matthew J. Fader. He further expressed appreciation for her contributions and confidence in Judge Hengerer's preparedness for his new role.
Judge Hengerer was appointed as an associate judge to the Baltimore City District Court in July 2018 by Governor Larry Hogan. He is also involved with the Maryland Judiciary’s Judicial Council Education Committee’s New Trial Judge Mentor Subcommittee and serves as judge-in-charge at the Wabash Avenue courthouse.
“Judge Weinstein has served the people of Baltimore with honor and distinction over the past 20 years," said Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, praising her work particularly in veterans treatment court program leadership.
Before his judicial career, Judge Hengerer worked as corporate counsel for Keller Foundations, LLC, advising on legal matters related to engineering and construction sectors from May 2017 through June 2018. He previously served as deputy legal counsel to Governor Larry Hogan from February 2015 to April 2017.
Judge Hengerer's background includes private practice focusing on litigation and government investigations at Steptoe & Johnson, LLC and Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White, LLC. His military service includes roles such as a judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps from 2002 through 2007.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Amherst College and earned his juris doctorate magna cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2002.
“I am honored and humbled by Chief Judge Fader and Chief Judge Morrissey’s confidence in me," remarked Judge Hengerer about his appointment.