--- title: "David W. Lease | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-w-lease-md-circuit-montgomery" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # David W. Lease Circuit Court for Montgomery · Judge ## Profile - Court: Circuit Court for Montgomery - State: Maryland - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/hr/pdfs/judges_list_external.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/hr/pdfs/judges_list_external.pdf) - [Maryland Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/hr/pdfs/judges_list_external.pdf) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-w-lease-md-circuit-montgomery", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-w-lease-md-circuit-montgomery", "name": "David W. 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Lease", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-w-lease-md-circuit-montgomery" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Selected as an Associate Judge of the Montgomery County Circuit Court, 6th Judicial Circuit, on January 19, 2018 - Previously, he served on the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1996–2018) - Lease began his legal career as an associate at Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC (1991–1997), followed by Stein, Sperling, Bennett, De Jong, Driscoll, Greenfeig & Metro, P.C. (1997–2000) ### Education - He then received his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1991 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar the same year - B.A. in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1988. ### Additional information - He serves on the Court Technology Committee, chairing the digital evidence work group (2023–present), and has been a member of the Judicial Council. - He co-founded and held the role of principal of Smith, Lease & Goldstein, LLC from 2000 to 2018. - David W. Lease was born in Washington, D.C., in 1965. - Highly experienced legal professional with a distinguished career in both private practice and public service. - He has been an active member of professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, Baltimore City Bar Association, and Montgomery County Bar Association, holding leadership roles and committee positions throughout his career ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Remote Hearings and Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8d7f2b6c1b52f4889f91cdbe) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.mdcourts.gov/remotehearings). Collected 2026-07-26. - [NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-9a7f81ce806c87a1ae6dac48) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.mdcourts.gov/reference/cellphonenotice). Collected 2026-07-26.