On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities recommended the removal of Judge Vickie Gipson from her position as an Orphans’ Court Judge for Anne Arundel County, citing multiple violations of the Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct.
The recommendation, which now goes to the Supreme Court of Maryland for consideration, stems from findings related to five separate complaints against Gipson, identified as CJD 2024-051, CJD 2024-053, CJD 2024-054, CJD 2024-069, and CJD 2024-109.
The Commission’s investigation, initiated following multiple complaints against Chief Judge Gipson, led to a public hearing where evidence was presented by Investigative Counsel, Tanya C. Bernstein, Esq., and Assistant Investigative Counsel, Derek A. Bayne, Esq.
The charges against Gipson included improper decorum, interference with the operations of the Orphans’ Court, undermining public confidence in the judiciary, lending the prestige of office to advance personal interests, breach of confidentiality of Commission matters, failure to follow legislatively enacted requirements for the operation of the Orphans’ Court, and failure to cooperate with Commission directives.
The Commission found that Gipson had violated several Maryland Rules, including those related to compliance with the law, promoting confidence in the judiciary, avoiding lending the prestige of judicial office, competence, diligence, cooperation, decorum, demeanor, communications with jurors, supervisory duties, responding to judicial and attorney misconduct, and cooperation with disciplinary authorities.
Evidence presented during the hearing highlighted Gipson’s disputes with another judge, Marc Knapp, which were often loud and disruptive, impacting court staff and the public. Gipson was also found to have accommodated the schedule of another judge, David Duba, to the detriment of the court’s operations.
The Commission also determined that Gipson had exceeded her administrative authority by changing decisions of her colleagues, limiting Judge Knapp’s ability to file dissents, and making attempts to remove Judge Knapp from the court. Additionally, Gipson was found to have made multiple statements to the media concerning pending cases and the judiciary, breaching confidentiality rules.
Despite these findings, the Commission did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that Gipson’s conduct violated Maryland Rules related to bias, prejudice, harassment, judicial statements on pending cases, or extra-official activities.
In its conclusions, the Commission stated that Gipson’s conduct constituted misconduct in office, persistent failure to perform her duties, and actions prejudicial to the administration of justice. The Commission emphasized the importance of an independent, fair, competent, and impartial judiciary and noted that Gipson’s actions had undermined public confidence in the legal system.
The Commission’s recommendation for removal reflects its view that a lesser discipline would not adequately address the gravity of Gipson’s misconduct or reassure the public and judiciary. The recommendation was a unanimous decision by the Commission Members.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
