Appointed As First African American Chief Judge
In January 2023, Vickie Gipson was appointed as the new Chief Judge of the Anne Arundel County Orphans’ Court by Maryland Governor Wes Moore. This groundbreaking appointment makes Gipson the first African American to serve as Chief Judge in the court’s 246-year history.
Gipson had previously been elected as an associate judge on the court in 2018, becoming the first person of color to serve on the bench. Her elevation to Chief Judge now gives her the top leadership role, providing oversight and administration of the court.
In a statement, Gipson thanked Governor Moore for the appointment, saying it “speaks volumes to Governor Moore’s commitment to create a government that represents all Marylanders.” Civil rights leaders like Carl Snowden also praised the appointment as a “seismic shift” in representation for an institution that had been historically monolithic.
Modernizing A Traditional Institution
The Orphans’ Court handles wills, estates, and other probate matters in Maryland. Despite the name, it does not deal with adoptions or orphans.
Gipson refers to it as an “odd egg” of the Maryland judicial system. The court has been slow to embrace technology and modern solutions. However, Gipson has aimed to inject innovation and improve accessibility during her tenure.
Actions she has already taken include improving ADA accessibility in the courtroom, establishing a mediation program, and adopting new technology. She also plans proactive community outreach efforts to educate residents on estate planning and generational wealth.
As Gipson stated, “Upon your death, the transference of wealth is a privilege, not a right.” Her vision is to make the probate system more transparent, efficient, and accessible for all Maryland residents.
An Innovator Making An Impact
Gipson is hailed not just as a pioneer, but also an innovator. Her technology focus is key for improving the probate process. Solutions like digitizing wills and asset management can benefit all communities.
County Executive Steuart Pittman praised Gipson’s appointment for helping expand the vision and scope of the court. He described it as a crucial “expansion pack” to make the system more representative of all of Maryland.
While celebrating this historic appointment, Gipson has remained grounded. At her ceremonial swearing-in event, she made sure to thank the community leaders and supporters who helped make it possible.
With Gipson leading the modernization efforts, the Anne Arundel County Orphans’ Court will likely see dramatic changes. And that can have significant positive impacts on generational wealth transfer and empowering underprivileged communities in the county.
