On Thursday, November 6, 2025, The Baltimore Banner reported that ethics hearings have exposed significant dysfunction within the Anne Arundel County Orphans’ Court. The hearings before the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities, which investigates judicial misconduct, have painted a picture of a probate court plagued by internal conflict and unprofessional behavior, raising questions about the judges’ conduct and qualifications.
The central figures in the controversy are Orphans’ Court Judges Vickie Gipson and Marc Knapp. According to testimony, their disputes frequently disrupted the court’s operations. Staff at the Register of Wills office, which is adjacent to the judges’ chambers, reported that the judges’ arguments were often loud and disruptive, impacting grieving families attempting to settle estates. Witnesses described instances of Gipson and Knapp interrupting each other on the bench, providing conflicting instructions to litigants, and generally creating a chaotic courtroom environment. In one instance, Knapp reportedly told a family to disregard advice given by Gipson.
Adding to the court’s instability, Judge David Duba, the third member of the Orphans’ Court, was largely absent from his elected position for approximately six months due to his employment as a high school teacher. This absence placed additional pressure on Gipson and Knapp to reach agreements on wills and other critical decisions.
The conflict between Gipson and Knapp escalated to the point where Gipson twice summoned county police to the courthouse and sought a peace order against Knapp. State authorities pursued a criminal case against Knapp, though it was ultimately unsuccessful. Both judges now face ethics charges before the Commission on Judicial Disabilities.
Eunice Owens, a veteran administrator with the Register of Wills, testified that litigants expressed shock and concern over the judges’ behavior, with some questioning their competence. According to Owens, individuals asked her, “‘Are they real judges?'”
All three judges were elected to four-year terms in 2022. The low barrier to entry for running for Orphans’ Court judge—a mere $25 filing fee and no requirement for a law degree—has drawn scrutiny. None of the three judges had practiced law in Maryland. Despite this, the positions come with an annual salary of approximately $60,000, with the chief judge earning around $65,000.
While Gipson holds a law degree and is licensed to practice in Washington and Pennsylvania, she is not licensed in Maryland. Knapp, who obtained his law degree later in life after a career in finance, admitted to having limited courtroom experience prior to his election. Duba, before becoming a judge, was a social studies teacher at Bowie High School and previously served as chief of staff for two Anne Arundel County state delegates.
Testimony revealed that Gipson, as chief judge, exerted significant control over the court’s operations, requiring her colleagues to obtain her approval on all orders before they were filed. Tameka Smith, the county’s chief deputy register of wills, testified that Gipson was inflexible and unwilling to compromise.
Gipson did not attend her initial ethics hearings, and her third hearing was rescheduled to December. She has been absent from the Orphans’ Court for several months, with staffers reporting previous absences due to health issues. Gipson declined to comment when contacted by The Banner.
Knapp, represented by attorney William Brennan, appeared at his hearings in October. He admitted to using profanity and demeaning language towards his colleagues. He recalled telling Duba, “You’re not an attorney. You don’t know what the hell you’re doing,” and insulting Gipson’s writing. He also admitted to telling Gipson to “quit dicking around” when he felt she was delaying the issuance of an opinion.
Deputy Assistant Investigative Counsel Derek Bayne urged the commission to recommend Knapp’s removal from the bench, stating that it was “Judge Knapp’s way or the highway.”
The commission will issue an opinion detailing its findings and recommendations for potential sanctions, which could range from implicit-bias training to removal from office. The final decision on any sanctions rests with the Supreme Court of Maryland.
Both Knapp and Gipson face accusations of violating ethical rules, including a prohibition on speaking to the news media, after they both made comments to news outlets regarding their dispute.
Source: The Baltimore Banner
