Magistrate

Position

Family Magistrate

March 20, 2026

Circuit Court for Montgomery County

Rockville, Maryland

$181,200

Exempt

Full Time, At Will

(No outside employment permitted)

Yes, required to complete annually

Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans. Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov) About the Maryland Court System | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov) Maryland Judiciary Pay Scale June 2025

The Family Division Magistrate is an officer of the Court assigned to conducting proceedings on matters within the Family Division of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, as delineated by the Annotated Code of Maryland and in accordance with the Family Differentiated Case Management (DCM) plan, procedures and policies.

The appointment and compensation of magistrates are governed by Rule 16-807, and referral of domestic relations matters to magistrates is governed by Rule 9-208 and Rule 2-541.

The Family Division Magistrate must maintain a thorough understanding of court organization and office practices and be able to make independent decisions when dealing with the public and employees. Information obtained during the performance of these duties may be confidential or private in nature. The Family Division Magistrate must recognize that visitors to the Court may be under significant stress and ensure they are treated with dignity and discretion as they obtain court-ordered services.

Selection of a candidate for a Family Division Magistrate position is considered by the Circuit Court Bench, and upon appointment, serves under the direct oversight of the Administrative Judge and the Judge in Charge of the Family Division (Family Coordinating Judge). Circuit Court employees are at-will employees and serve at the discretion of the Administrative Judge. This means that either an employee or the court may terminate the employee relationship at any time, with or without cause.

There are no contractual relationships between the Circuit Court and an employee; letters, benefit or policy statements, performance evaluations, handbooks, or other employee communications should not be interpreted as such. The at-will relationship remains in full force and effect, notwithstanding any statements to the contrary made by court personnel or set forth in any documents.

To be successful, the employee in this position must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. It does not prescribe or restrict various additional diversified tasks and assignments that may be required by Judicial Officers and/or the Court Administrator.

Perform such duties as specified in Maryland Rule 9-208. In addition to conducting those hearings specified in the Rule, a Family Division Magistrate shall provide written or oral findings and recommendations in those cases referred for hearing. Conduct status conferences, scheduling conference hearings and settlement/pre-trial conferences in accordance with the DCM plan for the Family Division. Confer and collaborate with the Family Division Coordinating Judge and/or the Judge in Charge of the Family Division, as well as the staff of Family Division Services, Assignment Office, Family Department of the Clerk of the Court, and Family Division Judges, in implementing and executing the Family Division DCM plan.

Juris Doctorate and a member of the Maryland Bar in good standing.

Minimum of Five (5) years of experience practicing law.

An additional 5 years of experience in the practice of family law in Maryland.

All applicants must complete the online application process to be considered for this vacancy. After completing the online application, please send the…