The top Baltimore County Orphans Court judge said more qualified candidates are running for bench seats this year than ever before, thanks to a new state law aimed at easing the court?s increasingly overwhelming caseload.

Sixteen candidates, including at least seven attorneys, are vying for the three spots ? the county?s only bench that does not require its judges to have a law degree ? because of a new policy that allows attorney judges to keep their private practices while in office.

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