---
title: "Catherine C. Blake | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/catherine-c-blake-300"
page_type: "judge_profile"
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# Catherine C. Blake

U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland · Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- State: Maryland
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court, D. Maryland, 1995-present
- In 1987, she was appointed a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Maryland, a role she held until 1995 President Bill Clinton nominated her to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland in 1995
- Joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland in 1977, serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, then First Assistant, and later as court-appointed United States Attorney from 1985 to 1986, becoming the first woman to hold that position in Maryland
- Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland

### Education

- Harvard University — J.D. (1975)
- Juris Doctor cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1975.
- Radcliffe College — B.A.

### Additional information

- Blake held the role of Chief Judge from October 3, 2014, to October 6, 2017, and assumed senior status on April 2, 2021
- received her commission on August 14, 1995.
- first assistant U.S. attorney, 1983-1985
- Private practice, Boston, MA, 1975-1977
- She graduated magna cum laude with an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Radcliffe College in 1972
- Date of birth: 1950-01-01
- Known for her courtesy, compassion, and dedication to justice, earning admiration from colleagues and attorneys alike.
- She briefly practiced law in Boston before entering public service in Maryland
- Her career left a lasting impact on the federal judiciary and the legal community in Maryland
- Judge Blake presided over several significant cases, most prominently the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force corruption case, which received national attention for exposing systemic police misconduct.
- Birth place: Boston, MA

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote proceedings

Scope: statewide

Maryland trial courts may conduct remote electronic proceedings when authorized by rule, and the court may permit or require participants to appear by remote electronic communications.

Evidence excerpt: the court may permit or require one or more participants, or all participants, to join the proceeding by means of remote electronic communications.

[Remote Hearings and Proceedings](https://www.mdcourts.gov/remotehearings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote recording

Scope: statewide

For Maryland remote proceedings, the required recording is made by the court, and participants should not make their own audio or video recording unless the court permits it.

Evidence excerpt: Proceedings conducted via videoconferencing technology must be recorded by the court

[Remote Hearings and Proceedings](https://www.mdcourts.gov/remotehearings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Maryland permits electronic devices in court facilities only in accordance with court rules and orders; attorneys may use devices reasonably for a proceeding if silent, positioned away from the trier of fact or witnesses, not used for recording, and not used for unauthorized communication.

Evidence excerpt: attorneys are permitted the reasonable and lawful use of an electronic device in connection with the proceeding provided that

[NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities](https://www.mdcourts.gov/reference/cellphonenotice)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### photography video recording

Scope: statewide

Maryland prohibits taking, recording, or transmitting photographs, videos, or other visual images in court facilities unless the court expressly grants permission in a specific instance.

Evidence excerpt: The taking, recording, or transmitting of photographs, videos, or other visual images by cell phone or any other device is prohibited in the court facility at all times

[NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities](https://www.mdcourts.gov/reference/cellphonenotice)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/300/catherine-c-blake/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/300/catherine-c-blake/)
- [U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/300/catherine-c-blake/)
- [Remote Hearings and Proceedings](https://www.mdcourts.gov/remotehearings)
- [NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities](https://www.mdcourts.gov/reference/cellphonenotice)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/300/catherine-c-blake/)
- [Catherine C. Blake biography](https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/012300/012358/html/bio.html)
- [Wikidata: Catherine C. Blake](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5052569)

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