Murphy To Retire From Maryland Court Of Appeals

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A judge on Maryland's highest court is stepping down to join a Baltimore law firm.

Judge Joseph Murphy revealed his plans to retire in a letter to Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Murphy has served on the Maryland Court of Appeals since 2007.

Before that, he spent 14 years on the state's next-highest court, the Court of Special Appeals, including 11 years as its chief judge.

Murphy, 67, says in the letter that he plans to leave the court on Aug. 5 and will join the law firm of Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White.

Steven Silverman, a managing partner with the firm, says Murphy's main focus will be privately mediating state and federal litigation on the trial or appellate level.

Court of Appeals judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.

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