Hon. Shannon E. Avery

Hon. Shannon E. Avery has been serving as an Associate Judge on the Baltimore City Circuit Court, 8th Judicial Circuit, since March 4, 2014. She was appointed to the court by Governor Martin O’Malley and has been re-elected since then. Prior to her judicial career, Judge Avery had a diverse legal background, including roles as an Assistant Public Defender, Assistant Attorney General, and Executive Director of the Office of Planning, Policy, Regulations, and Statistics in the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. She has also been actively involved in various committees and commissions, such as the Criminal Law and Procedure Committee, the Commission on Child Custody Decision Making, and the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy. Judge Avery is a graduate of Towson University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science, and the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she received her J.D.]. She has been recognized for her community service and contributions to the legal profession, including receiving the Outstanding Service Award from the Baltimore City Community Relations Commission and the Mark F. Scurti Award for Community Service from the Outlaw LGBT student association at the University of Baltimore School of Law.