The MSBA mourns the passing of the Honorable Justin J. King on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023. He was 67.
Judge King’s Legal career spanned over five decades. He earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from Lehigh University in 1977 and his J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1980. He served as an Asper Fellow to Judge Robert L. Karwacki at the Baltimore City Circuit Court in 1979 and as a law clerk to Judge Martin B. Greenfeld at the Baltimore City Circuit Court from 1980 to 1981.
His career in civil service began in 1981 when he assumed the role of Assistant City Solicitor in the Department of Law in Baltimore City, a position he held until 1996. He later served as Deputy Chief of Litigation and Chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Department of Law, Baltimore City, until 2012. In addition to his work for Baltimore City, Judge King maintained a part-time practice as a sole practitioner from 1981 to 2012.
Judge King was an active member of various legal organizations, including the MSBA, which he joined in 1981, and the Baltimore County Bar Association, which he joined in 1991. He also was a member of the University of Maryland Alumni Association, serving on the Board of Governors from 1981 to 1988 and as president from 1987 to 1988.
He received numerous awards recognizing his dedication to the legal profession, including the Cunningham Award from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1980, the Distinguished Service Award from the Young Lawyers Section of the MSBA in 1986, and Leadership Recognition from the Baltimore County Council in 2011.
In addition to his professional work, Judge King was deeply involved in his community. He was a member of the Anneslie Community Association from 1984 to 1992 and served as the Stoneleigh Elementary School P.T.A. president from 1994 to 1996. He was president of the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations in 1995 to 1996, president of Catonsville Community College Foundation from 2002 to 2004, and president of Tomorrow’s Towson from 2009 to 2011.
Judge King is survived by his wife, Cynthia King (nee Garison), sons, Aaron King (Samantha) and Bradley King (Danielle), and grandchildren, Emeline Monica King and Rosalind James King.
Details concerning services to commemorate Judge King’s life and legacy are pending. In lieu of flowers, his family requests contributions in his memory to the Maryland SPCA, Gilchrist Hospice, or a charity of your choice.