Annual Awards
Each year, MLSC brings together Maryland’s legal services community to recognize people and organizations that have contributed significantly to the provision of legal services and access to justice for low-income Marylanders. MLSC honors the award recipients at an Annual Awards Reception in the fall.
The 2025 Awards Reception will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 6:00 pm, at historic Westminster Hall in Baltimore.
Congratulations to the 2025 Recipients!
Hon. Melvin J. Jews
Arthur W. Machen, Jr. Award
Leslie Seid Margolis
Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award
Saraah Lang
Rising Star Award
Jessica Morgan
Chandler C. T. Walters
William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award
Thank you to our Awards Reception Sponsors!
Advocate
Partner
Ballard Spahr, LLP
DLA Piper
Gordon Feinblatt LLC
Maryland State Bar Association
Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, LLC
Supporter
Honoring Sally B. Gold, stalwart advocate and supporter of multiple MLSC grantees
Law Offices of Debra Thomas
Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company
Hon. Pamela J. White
Media Sponsor
Award Categories
The Arthur W. Machen, Jr. Award is presented to an attorney (usually in private practice) or a judge who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to increasing access to justice and improving the civil legal services delivery system for low-income Marylanders.
The Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award is presented to an outstanding public interest lawyer whose career has been dedicated to providing, promoting or managing civil legal services to low-income Marylanders.
The Rising Star Award is presented to an attorney who has practiced law for 10 years or less and has significantly contributed to expanding access to justice by serving the civil legal needs of low-income Marylanders or advancing the delivery of civil legal services.
The William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award is presented to someone who is not an attorney and has demonstrated outstanding service representing the civil legal needs of low-income Marylanders or expanding access to justice.
The Herbert S. Garten Public Citizen Award is presented to an entity or organization that is not regularly engaged in the delivery of civil legal services to low-income Marylanders but has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to increase access to justice.
The Robert M. Bell Medal for Access to Justice, created in 2004, honors members of the bench or bar who have displayed an extraordinary commitment to furthering access to justice for low-income Marylanders. This award, MLSC’s highest honor, is not solicited and will be given only when warranted.
Other Awards