NEWS

Hagerstown lawyer Victoria J. Lobley sworn in as judge before friends, family, colleagues

Dave Rhodes
The Herald-Mail

Hagerstown attorney Victoria J. Lobley was sworn in as Washington County's newest district court judge Friday amid glowing — and sometimes tearful — testimonials from colleagues about her qualifications and character.

Washington County Bar Association President David Harbin recalled that she sat in an otherwise empty courtroom to support him during his first trial as a nervous, new defense attorney.

"You gave me that look of, 'Hey, you've got this,'" he said. "I got my not guilty and we celebrated.

"We have so much faith in you," Harbin said. "The reason we picked you is because of who you are.

"The only advice I can give you is be yourself."

About 100 friends, family members and colleagues from the bench and bar gathered for the event in the ornate main courtroom of the Washington County Courthouse.

"I am thrilled to be joining this group and I can't wait to get started," Lobley said after taking her oath. "This is hands down the best law community there is, and I'm thankful to have practiced with you."

Washington County Circuit Court Clerk Kevin Tucker, left, swears in Victoria J. Lobley as a district court judge Friday on a Bible held by her husband, attorney Andrew J. Lobley.

Friend and Circuit Court Judge Viki M Pauler said a time-traveling Ralph Waldo Emerson must have written the poem, "This is Success," about Lobley. It ends with the line, "... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

"As you sit on the bench, as you make your decision, as you talk to people — some of whom have made a total mess of their lives — you will demonstrate again and again what a success as a human being you are," Pauler said.

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Lobley was appointed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Terry A. Myers, who still presides over cases from time to time as a senior judge.

She has been a sole practitioner since 2015, concentrating on criminal defense and family law. Prior to starting her own firm, she worked for four years as a partner at Cheeatow & Lobley LLC and was an assistant public defender in Washington County from 2003 to 2004, according to Hogan's office.

Victoria J. Lobley receives her robe from her husband, attorney Andrew J. Lobley, after she was sworn in Friday as Washington County's newest district court judge.

Cases heard in district court include landlord/tenant cases, traffic violations, actions to recover property, misdemeanor and some felony criminal cases, and civil cases of $30,000 or less.

"I'd like to think that justice with compassion and understanding is the brand that the district court serves, whether it's a criminal case that calls for a 10-year jail sentence or the return of a dog to its owner" said District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey. "It may be our 50th case of the day and a long day for the judges, but it's the one and only case for those who come before us.

"Victoria possesses all of the qualities that will make her a shining example of a district court judge."

He noted that Lobley is taking her seat on the bench during the 50th year of the district court system.

It was formed in 1971, he said, to replace a hodgepodge of municipal courts that met in places like stores, government buildings, firehouses and even the office of a gas station.

"Which is kind of clever," he joked to laughter from the crowd. "You could get your tires rotated while you contest your traffic ticket."

Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Joseph M. Getty talked about this history of the courts in Washington County and some the distinguished jurists who served here.

"Judge Lobley, we look forward to you writing another chapter in the legal history of Washington County," he said.