Citizenship American Name Thomas Nissel Occupation Judge Role Attorney | Political party Democratic Predecessor James MacGill Spouse(s) Irene (1933-2010) | |
Born 1931 Missouri Known for Maryland State's Attorney Home town Ellicott City, Maryland Alma mater Loyola University Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park | ||
Thomas J. Nissel (born 1931) was the State's Attorney for Howard County, Maryland
Biography
Nissel was the son of John J. Nissel, a postal supervisor. He graduated Loyola in 1952, and university of Maryland Law in 1955. From 1957-1963, 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. Sysbert Jr. vacated the post suddenly. He announced he had no intent to run for any political office in the county. 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.. After failure in 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.
In July 1971 Nissel became the administrative head of the Howard and Carroll County district courts. On 1 March 1980, Governor Harry Hughes appointed Nissel to replace James MacGill. Nissel retired in 1990.