Six new judges will hear cases in Potomac and across Montgomery County after Gov. Wes Moore appointed them to the circuit and district court benches on Friday, Oct. 2.

Two attorneys will join the circuit court and four will join the district court, filling vacancies on the courts that serve the county's residents. The governor's office announced the appointments as part of a nine-judge batch that also included three Baltimore City circuit court picks.

Keith Joseph Rosa, a partner and co-founder of Bethesda-based law firm Goitein Rosa, was appointed to the circuit court. Rosa's practice focuses on civil litigation and family law. He previously served as a special magistrate for the Montgomery County Circuit Court and as a law clerk to Judge John W. Debelius III. Rosa has served as president of both the Bar Association of Montgomery County and the Bar Foundation of Montgomery County.

Carlotta Ann Woodward, a 14-year prosecutor in the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office, also joins the circuit bench. Woodward serves as chief of the Juvenile Division and primary prosecutor of animal cruelty cases, The Daily Record reported. She previously clerked for Judge Ann S. Harrington, the administrative judge of the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Under the Maryland Constitution, Rosa and Woodward must stand for a nonpartisan election in the first general election at least one year after their appointment, according to Hoodline. Winners earn 15-year terms.

Four attorneys were also appointed to the district court bench.

Jason Brian Abbott serves as general counsel for public safety and homeland security in the Prince George's County Executive's office. He previously led the state's first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit as an assistant attorney general and began his legal career as an assistant state's attorney in Montgomery County.

Rolando Julio Aleman is an associate attorney with Salvado, Salvado & Salvado in Rockville. He previously served as associate general counsel for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Howard Ray Cheris is the lead partner at Armstrong, Cheris and Page in Rockville. He joined the firm after 17 years as a private practitioner in civil and criminal litigation and has argued cases before the Maryland Supreme Court. Cheris also worked as a contract attorney for the Montgomery County Public Defender's Office.

Seth Bradley Zucker has spent his entire legal career as a prosecutor in the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. He serves as chief of both the Collateral Review Unit and the Conviction Integrity Unit.

Moore said in a statement that he was proud to appoint the attorneys and that their expertise would continue to serve Marylanders on the bench.

District court judges serve 10-year terms following gubernatorial appointment and Senate confirmation. They do not face public elections. No swearing-in dates or Senate confirmation hearing dates have been announced for the four district court appointees.