Meet Judge Densford
Judge David W. Densford became St. Mary’s Circuit Court Judge on February 3, 2012.
In Maryland, judicial vacancies in the circuit court require committees of lawyers and citizens to interview and qualify applicants within their communities. They select from those applicants and submit nominees to the governor.
Judge Densford was twice qualified by the St. Mary’s County and Calvert County lawyers and citizens who serve on this community’s judicial committee. The governor selected Judge Densford from among those nominees in December 2011.
State law provides that appointed circuit court judges may face voters at the first state election following their appointment. Because of the timing of vacancies and election cycles, some circuit court judges can have years on the bench before seeking endorsement of the job they have done.
The next statewide election is the Maryland primary April 3, 2012, only sixty days after Judge Densford’s investiture. That doesn’t provide much time for voters to judge his record on the bench. Here are some of the pertinent points about his career as a trial lawyer and years of prosecutorial work that won him the endorsement of the judicial committee and gubernatorial appointment as St. Mary’s County Circuit Court Judge.
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Supporters came out to the Bay District Social Hall in Lexington Park for a spaghetti dinner Sunday night to support Judge Densford’s election campaign.
Judge Densford received his Juris Doctorate in May 1981, worked as Legislative Counsel at the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now the American Association for Justice) in Washington, D.C. and then as an Assistant Public Defender in Circuit, District and Juvenile courts in St. Mary’s County. There he worked as a trial lawyer for the Maryland Public Defender System.
He served on the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission Inquiry Panel for the 7th Judicial Circuit from 1991 until 1996.
Appointed in 1993 as faculty for the professionalism course taught to all incoming Maryland lawyers, Mr. Densford continues to teach the course up to twice a year.
Mr. Densford became a member of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) in 1984 and served on its Board of Governors from 1990 to 1992 and 1996 to 1998.
He was appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals to the Maryland State Bar Association to the MSBA Professionalism Committee. Since 2005 Mr. Densford has also served on an MSBA special committee to educate the public on judicial matters.
He became a member of the St. Mary’s County Bar Association in 1984 and served as its President in 1994.
Judge Densford has been a member of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (MCDAA) since 1987 and has served on its Board of Directors since 1994. He has been a member of the Maryland Bar Foundation since 1999.
He has received numerous professional recognitions and awards including:
- J. Dudley Digges Inn of Court, 1991 2000
- Southern Maryland Inn of Court, founding member, 2009 to present
- Recipient of the David Hjortsberg Award, presented by the Maryland State Bar Association for professionalism and civility, June 2010
- Award of Appreciation from the St. Mary’s County Human Relations Commission, April 2003
- Paul Harris Fellowship from the Leonardtown Rotary Club, June 1995
- Outstanding Service Award from the Maryland Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors, 1994
- Award from the St. Mary’s County Commissioners, recognition for five years service at the Office of Public Defender, 1989
Judge David W. Densford has served his community by volunteering for civic, educational, professional and charitable organizations.
- St. Mary’s Nursing Center, Advisory Board Member, 2001-2004
- St. Mary’s County Human Relations Commission, conducting discrimination hearings, 1991-2002
- Greenwell Foundation, providing accessible and inclusive active waterfront and equestrian activities, 2008-2010
- Alternatives for Youth and Families, Chaptico Classic Run, 20-year volunteer
- Three Oaks Center providing homeless outreach programs and shelter, 10-year volunteer
- Walden//Sierra Counseling Center, counseling and shelter for domestic and substance abuse, 1995-1998
- HealthShare, connecting uninsured, low-income county residents with low cost health services, Board Member, 1996-1997, Certificate of Appreciation for dedicated service
- Maryland Legal Services Corporation, distribution of $4 million for representation of indigents in civil cases, 1991-1994, recipient of Outstanding Service recognition
- St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce, 1991-1994
- Eckerd Youth Challenge Program to help young men involved in the juvenile justice system, Board Member, 1989-1994
- Helping Hands food pantry, Board Member, 1991-1993
- Rotary Club of Leonardtown, charter member, 1986-1992; President 1989-1990
- Hospice of St. Mary’s County, Hospice Walk contributor and participant
- Maryland Legal Aid Bureau providing lawyers for poor residents in non-criminal matters, 1988-1991.
- The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc., providing information and services for blind, visually impaired and physically disabled, volunteer, 1976-1977
