Judge Michele D. Hotten stood at the lectern in the ornate chamber of the House of Delegates on Tuesday and fought back emotions as she thought back on the road that led her to become the first African American and the first woman from Prince George’s County to serve on Maryland’s highest court.
Hotten, 61, grew up poor in Southeast Washington, raised by a single mother who often worked three jobs to make ends meet.
She paused during her speech when she mentioned her mother, Grace Segee, who often told her, “You don’t accept ‘no’ and you don’t accept ‘can’t.’”
"She instilled in me that I could overcome any impediment through hard work, determination and a belief in myself," Hotten told the crowd that included judges, lawyers, lawmakers and family members.
The first in her immediate family to attend college, Hotten earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and her law degree from Howard University School of Law, where she was a member of the Howard Law Journal.
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“She is the epitome of perseverance,” said Elizabeth M. Hewlett, an attorney and a friend of more than 35 years. “She has had a lot of naysayers in her world saying, ‘You can’t do this or that,’ but she remained undaunted and moved right along.”
Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who appointed Hotten and administered the oath to her Tuesday, said she is one of a handful of jurists to serve at all four levels of Maryland’s judicial branch and is “impeccably prepared” to join the Maryland Court of Appeals.
“She is someone who listens,” Hogan said, “and deliberates in a thoughtful manner.”
Hotten has served in the judiciary for 21 years, the past five on Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals. Timothy F. Maloney, a Greenbelt, Md.-based attorney and a member of the appellate nominating commission, said that “her life story and her life’s work were very impressive to the commission.”
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Hotten fills a vacancy that was created when Judge Glenn T. Harrell Jr. retired in June. She is the fifth woman on the seven-judge panel, which has the highest number of women the court has ever had. She also is the second African American woman appointed to the court, after Judge Shirley M. Watts, who was appointed two years ago. The court is headed by Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera.
Hotten served as a Circuit Court judge in Prince George’s for 16 years and spent one year as a District Court judge. She worked as an assistant state’s attorney in Prince George’s and served as deputy people’s zoning counsel and as a hearing examiner for the county Board of Education. She also has worked in private practice.
Hotten’s appointment is one of many judicial selections Hogan has made in recent months. Last week the governor named Harry Carl Storm to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery County Circuit Court, and Donna McCabe Schaeffer and Stacy Wiederle McCormack to fill vacancies on the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. Lisa Louise Broten will serve on the Howard County District Court.
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