INVESTITURE OF JUDGE KEITH D. PION by Michael S. Fuller
On October 6, 2016, family, friends and colleagues gathered in Ceremonial Courtroom Number 5 for the investiture of Keith D. Pion as a judge of the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County. Administrative Judge Dorothy J. Wilson presided over the ceremony, joined by District Court Chief Judge John P. Morrissey and Judge Marsha L. Russell. Elected officials and members of both the Baltimore County District and Circuit Court benches (currently sitting and retired) also attended.
Judge Wilson began by relaying Judge Pion’s charming yet completely unrealistic request that the ceremony not be all about him. She recognized his family, including his wife, parents, daughters, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and brother-in-law. All were beaming with pride.
attorney with Miles & Stockbridge, moved for her husband’s investiture, describing the moment as, “The most thrilling court appearance of my life.” She spoke glowingly of Judge Pion’s dedication to public service and desire to do the right thing. She mentioned his sense of humor and predicted he will use humor when appropriate to ease tense courtroom situations. Judge Wilson recognized Assistant State’s Attorney Joe Dominick to second the motion for Judge Pion’s investiture, and he did so with a combination of humor and sincerity. The two worked closely together at the State’s Attorney’s office and were friends both inside and outside work, even taking a yearly camping trip together with their daughters. Circuit Court Judge Robert E. Cahill Jr. also seconded the motion, joking that he hadn’t been behind a trial table in 16 years. With great enthusiasm he described his time on the District Court bench as the best job he ever had, saying, “I loved the District Court!” Having had the opportunity to observe Judge Pion in the Circuit Court for many years, Judge Cahill expressed admiration for his listening skills, thoughtfulness, patience and balance. Judge Cahill offered some words of wisdom, including the advice to be kind, work hard and “When in doubt, shut up.”
After expressing that he was “thrilled” to participate in the ceremony, (perhaps in part because both he and Judge Pion are Redskins fans?) Chief Judge Morrissey summarized Judge Pion’s legal career. Most recently, Judge Pion served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore County. Over his 13 years in that office, he worked his way from the District Court Division to the Felony Trial Team, then served as a member of the Crimes Against Children Unit before his final promotion to Chief of the Juvenile Division. Before becoming an ASA, Judge Pion served as a Judge Advocate General for the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Captain before being honorably discharged. Judge Pion graduated from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. Next, Judge Pion’s wife Angela Whittaker-Pion, an THE ADVOCATE
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November 2016