Van Hollen, Cardin Join Colleagues in Bipartisan Vote to Confirm Judge Matthew Maddox for the U.S. District Court of Maryland

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) praised confirmation of U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Maddox to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Maryland. The bipartisan vote Tuesday was 55-42. Earlier this month, the Senate confirmed Marylander Brendan Hurson to fill the other opening on the federal district court.

“Judge Maddox has a proven commitment to upholding the highest standards of equal justice under the law. With his confirmation to the U.S. District Court of Maryland bench, he’ll bring his extensive years of public service and courtroom experience – including as a former federal prosecutor and magistrate judge – and a long record of legal expertise. We were proud to support Judge Maddox’s nomination and confirmation and grateful he has answered the call to serve the public on this court,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Judge Maddox has the skills and the Maryland experience we need on the federal bench at this time,” said Senator Cardin. “A former prosecutor who is dedicated to public service, Judge Maddox has a long history of integrity and judicial competence, and I am pleased to see the Senate elevate him from Magistrate to District Judge. We recommended Judge Maddox to President Biden for this judicial vacancy because of our confidence that he will safeguard the rights of all Marylanders, and uphold the Constitution and rule of law, as he has done throughout his legal career.” 

With Judge Maddox’s confirmation, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland has its full complement of 10 active judges. However, United States Chief District Judge James Bredar has informed the White House and the U.S. Senate of his intention to take senior status in April 2024, which will open a new vacancy. Senators Van Hollen and Cardin are now accepting applications for lawyers interested in this position. The senators anticipate making recommendations to President Biden from among the applicants. Application details are available here: https://www.cardin.senate.gov/judges/ The deadline for applications is close of business (COB) Monday, November 13, 2023.

U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE MATTHEW MADDOX

U.S. Magistrate Judge Maddox graduated summa cum laude from Morgan State University in Baltimore in 1999, where he majored in philosophy and religious studies, and minored in psychology. After receiving his B.A. degree, Judge Maddox was a Fulbright Scholar and taught high school through the Teach for America program.  Judge Maddox received his J.D. degree from the Yale Law School in 2011. 

Upon graduation from law school, Judge Maddox served as a law clerk to the Honorable Gerald Bruce Lee, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. From October 2012 to August 2014, Judge Maddox worked as a litigation associate at the law firm of Holland & Knight in Washington, D.C. From August 2014 to August 2015, Judge Maddox served as a law clerk to the Honorable André M. Davis, a judge serving on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

In September 2015, Judge Maddox was appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Maryland. In this capacity, Judge Maddox prosecuted a range of criminal cases and conducted trainings for law enforcement on the topics of human trafficking and identity theft. In November 2020, Judge Maddox was selected to serve as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Section in the Northern Division of the United States Attorney’s Office.

Judge Maddox has served as a United States Magistrate Judge in Baltimore since February 2022. He was nominated by President Biden for the U.S. District Court in March 2023, and the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on his nomination in July. He was approved by a bipartisan vote of the full Judiciary committee in September.