The Robert M. Bell Medal for Access to Justice was created to honor members of the bench or bar who have displayed an extraordinary commitment to furthering access to justice for the poor. This year's award was presented to the Honorable J. Joseph Curran, Jr., former Attorney General for Maryland and now counsel to the Maryland Injured Workers Fund. MLSC created this award in 2004 and presented it to Chief Judge Bell, after which the award was named in his honor and given only when warranted.

Photo (L-R): Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, J. Joseph Curran, Jr., Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer.

The Arthur W. Machen, Jr. Award is presented to a lawyer in private practice who has rendered extraordinary public service by providing legal representation to the poor or by improving the delivery of legal services in Maryland. This year’s award was presented to Connie Kratovil Lavelle, who has been a legal services attorney, private practitioner and now deputy director of the Department of Family Administration of the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Photo (L-R): Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Connie Kratovil Lavelle, Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer.

The Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award is presented to an outstanding public interest lawyer who regularly provides civil legal services to the poor. This award was presented to Lauren Young, director of litigation of the Maryland Disabililty Law Center.

Photo (L-R): Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, Lauren Young, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer.

The William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award was created to recognize a person who has demonstrated outstanding advocacy in Maryland on behalf of low-income persons. MLSC presented this award to Maureen Larenas, manager of the Tacoma Park Silver Spring (TESS) Community Service Center..

Photo (L-R): Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Maureen Larenas, Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer.

The Herbert S. Garten Public Citizen Award is presented to an entity or organization that has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to increase access to justice for the poor in Maryland. This year the award was presented to The Daily Record, which has provided Maryland's business and legal news since 1888, for its outstanding coverage of issues of importance to increasing access to justice for the poor in Maryland.

Photo (L-R): Herbert S. Garten, Christopher Eddings, Publisher and President, The Daily Record, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer.

At the celebration, MLSC presented an Award of Special Recognition to John H. Michener, former director of Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and director of the Department of Human Resources Legal Services and Judicare Programs.

Photo (L-R): Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, John H. Michener, Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer.

Douglas M. Bregman, former member and past treasurer of the MLSC Board of Directors, was honored for his outstanding service to MLSC from 2000 to 2007.

Photo (L-R): Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Douglas M. Bregman, Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer.