Judge Elizabeth López Honored During Hispanic Heritage Month
Judge Elizabeth López has served as an Associate Judge of the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City since April 24, 2026. Her appointment has been recognized as a significant moment for the Maryland judiciary, and during Hispanic Heritage Month (observed annually from September 15th through October 15th), her story carries even more meaning.
Elizabeth López is a first-generation Mexican American and former migrant farmworker who was the first in her family to attend college. She went on to build nearly two decades of experience as a public defender at both the state and federal levels, including supervisory work in the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Maryland.
That background speaks directly to attorneys who practice in federal court. Younger attorneys weighing a move into federal practice may find her path especially instructive, since her career shows how trial experience, mentorship, and reform work can develop together.
Judge Elizabeth López Built a Legal Career in Public Defense
Judge Elizabeth López earned a B.A. in English and Philosophy from Seattle University and completed her J.D. at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis.
Judge López dedicated her entire legal career to public defense, spending 15 years at the state level and more than four years at the federal level. Over that time, she represented clients in complex felony and misdemeanor cases. She also served with the Defender Association in Seattle, Washington, representing juvenile and adult clients in criminal and civil commitment proceedings. At the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, she held multiple leadership roles, and her initiatives expanded services for young people and advanced systemic reform in the criminal legal system.
As an emerging adult litigation specialist with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, she created a statewide model for the defense of children charged as adults. Throughout her career, she also trained and supervised attorneys on both state and federal matters. She is admitted to the Maryland Bar and belongs to both the Maryland State Bar Association, the Baltimore City Bar Association, and the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association.
Maryland Office of the Federal Public Defender & Judicial Appointment
Within the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Maryland, Judge López served as a felony attorney supervisor. The office represents people charged in federal court who cannot afford a lawyer. In that role, she managed a complex felony caseload and supervised four felony attorneys.
She also served as Supervising Assistant Federal Public Defender and DEI Coordinator, a record that reflects deep experience in complex felony practice and reform-minded leadership. Across the federal office and the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, her leadership spans trial work, attorney training, and statewide reform initiatives.
On December 5, 2025, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced Elizabeth López's appointment to the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, alongside Hon. Sidney A. Butcher, Hon. Otis Freeman, Elizabeth López, and Hon. Noelle W. Newman.
“Their collective experience—from public defense to prosecution and federal service—has prepared them well for the bench. Their shared commitment to the people of Maryland will be a tremendous asset, and I am truly grateful they have raised their hands to serve.”
She is recognized as the third Latina judge on the Baltimore City bench, and her elevation marks a meaningful step for Latina representation in Baltimore City courts.
Why Judge Elizabeth López’ Story Matters to Federal Practitioners
Judge López's path, from migrant farmworker and first-generation Mexican American to Baltimore City District Court judge, reflects perseverance and a career-long commitment to equitable defense for youth and emerging adults.
Her elevation underscores Maryland's commitment to a judiciary that reflects the communities it serves statewide. Early-career attorneys can see in her career a path from public defense to leadership and judicial service.
Her record of training and supervising attorneys is also relevant to firms that develop associates for federal practice. Bench-bar relationships can be strengthened when attorneys learn the professional histories of the judges they appear before.
The Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter serves attorneys who practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. New attorneys, experienced litigators, and members of the judiciary are welcomed by the chapter.
Overall, the chapter's work is centered on advancing justice, judicial engagement, and inclusion in federal practice. Learn about the benefits of membership in the FBA Maryland Chapter.
