INVESTITURE OF HON. KEITH R. TRUFFER by James L. Shea, Jr.
On February 11, 2016, Keith Richard Truffer was sworn in as an Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. In attendance were members of the judiciary, representatives of state and local bar associations, professional colleagues, friends, and family. The theme of the day was Judge Truffer commitment to professionalism and his profound respect for the law. Each of the speakers who participated in the investiture returned time and again to this central tenant of Judge Truffer’s career and character.
Judge Truffer began his legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. John E. Raine, Jr. in the very same courthouse where he will now sit as Judge, and many of the speakers recalled fondly memories from that time. Robert L. Handley, Jr., who spoke in support of the motion for Judge Truffer’s investiture, spoke of first meeting Judge Truffer thirty five years ago when he clerked for the Hon. William R. Buchanan, Sr., who shared chambers with Judge Raine. Likewise, the Hon. John J. Nagle III, who also clerked for Judge Buchanan and spoke on behalf the bench, recalled fondly his time as a law clerk with Judge Truffer. Both described how these experiences were the beginning of lifelong professional and personal friendships, and both spoke to Judge Truffer’s unwavering commitment to the law throughout that time.
THE ADVOCATE
Judge Truffer took that same drive and dedication to the practice of law. Thomas F. McDonough, a colleague of Judge Truffer’s at Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP for over thirty years, spoke in support of Judge Truffer’s investiture, and recounted Judge Truffer’s first interview, and, even at that early stage, how Judge’s Truffer sincerity and commitment to the practice of the law shone through. Over the next thirty years, Mr. McDonough recalled, that drive was consistently on display, whether in honing his litigation skills under Richard “Dick” Reid (a senior partner at the firm), representing his clients, dealing fairly with opposing counsel, or engaging in the legal community. In addition to professional friends and colleagues, Judge Truffer received the full support of both state and local bar associations. The Hon. Pamila J. Brown, president of the Maryland State Bar Association, spoke in support of Judge Truffer’s investiture, and told of her experiences meeting Judge Truffer as part of his work with the MSBA, highlighting the dedication and professionalism with which Judge Truffer undertook all of those responsibilities. The Hon. Vicki Ballou-Watts, president of the Baltimore County Bar Association, echoed these same sentiments, highlighting Judge Truffer’s work on the Executive Council of the BCBA and his commitment to working together with his peers.
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March 2016