J. Thomas Nissel (December 29, 1930 – May 7, 2018) was the state's attorney for Howard County, Maryland and a judge in Maryland's district and circuit courts.

J. Thomas Nissel
Born(1930-12-29)December 29, 1930[1]
DiedMay 7, 2018(2018-05-07) (aged 87)[2]
CitizenshipAmerican
Alma materLoyola University, University of Maryland School of Law
OccupationJudge
Known forJudge in the Circuit Court for Howard County, Maryland
PredecessorJames MacGill
SuccessorDennis M. Sweeney[3]
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseIrene (1933-2010)
Parent(s)John J. Nissel Sr., Helen Sullivan
RelativesRev John J Nissel Jr., Helen (Degenhard)

Family

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Nissel was the son of John J. Nissel, a postal supervisor.[4] He and his wife Irene had six children.[2] His son-in-law, Scott Rolle, became the state's attorney[5] and a circuit court judge in Frederick County, Maryland.[6]

Career

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Nissel graduated Loyola in 1952, and University of Maryland Law in 1955. From 1957 to 1963, Nissel served as a special attorney for the State's attorney office for seven years handling condemnation cases.

Nissel was appointed a member of the Howard Park advisory board, which was stood up in a contentious effort to purchase land owned by republican commissioner Charles E. Miller as parkland, rather than a hospital development in competition with the Rouse Company's Howard County General Hospital project.

In 1966, Nissel was appointed State's Attorney in March 1966 after Cornelius F. Sybert Jr. vacated the post suddenly. He announced he had no intent to run for any political office in the county.[7] Later that year, he ran for State Senate on a slate with former county commissioner and land developer Norman E. Moxley against James A. Clark Jr.[8] After losing the election, he served as council to the County Commissioners drafting low-income housing regulations for Ellicott City until leaving for private practice in December 1967, being replaced by Parks attorney Thomas L. Lloyd.[9]

In July 1971, Nissel became the administrative head of the Howard and Carroll County district courts. On March 1, 1980, Governor Harry Hughes appointed Nissel to the Circuit Court for Howard County to fill the vacancy created when James MacGill retired.[10] Nissel retired on January 1, 1991.[3][11] He heard occasional cases as a retired judge as late as 2008.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Archives of Maryland, Volume 0184, Page 0542". Maryland Manual, 1989-90. Maryland State Archives. 1989. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Kelly, Jacques (May 7, 2018). "J. Thomas Nissel, retired Howard County judge". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Archives of Maryland, Volume 0185, Page 0631". Maryland Manual, 1991-92. Maryland State Archives. 1991. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  4. ^ "John J. Nissel, Sr., mass set; retired postal supervisor". The Baltimore Sun. May 28, 1977.
  5. ^ Nicol, Susan C. (January 23, 1999). "Rolle sworn in as state's attorney". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  6. ^ "Scott L. Rolle, Maryland Circuit Court Judge". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. October 22, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "Prosecutor Post Filed". The Baltimore Sun. March 5, 1966.
  8. ^ Clark, James Jr. (1999). Jim Clark: Soldier, Farmer, Legislator: A Memoir. Baltimore, Maryland: Gateway Press. p. 116. ASIN B004R9J6AK. LCCN 99072964. OCLC 44803221.
  9. ^ "Nissel quits council post". The Baltimore Sun. December 22, 1967.
  10. ^ "Judge Nissel to Join Howard Circuit Court". The Baltimore Sun. February 29, 1980.
  11. ^ "Judge Nissel Hanging Up Robes After Two Decades Circuit Court Veteran Still Pressing For Fifth Seat To Handle Caseload". The Baltimore Sun. October 3, 1990. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021.
  12. ^ Peirce, Carolyn (September 24, 2008). "Cat hoarder defends her love of animals". Washington Examiner. Retrieved January 12, 2022.