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 2023 Awards Reception will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 6:00 pm, at historic Westminster Hall in Baltimore. 

Sponsor this event, or purchase admission tickets

To sponsor this event or purchase tickets, please contact Dave Pantzer (410-576-9494 x 1005; dpantzer@mlsc.org) or visit the Registration Page.

Congratulations to the 2023 Awards Recipients!

Arthur W. Machen, Jr. Award
Elva E. Tillman

Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award
Joanna Armentrout Shapiro

Rising Star Award
Reba Letsa
Aja’ Mallory

William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award
Catherine McGuire
Jennifer Vido

Herbert S. Garten Public Citizen Award
MAC Inc.

Thank you to the 2023 Awards Sponsors!

Title Sponsor
Marjorie Wax and Brian Hochheimer

Advocate
Kramon & Graham, P.A.

Partner
Ballard Spahr LLP
Bellamy Genn Group, LLC
Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP
Gordon Feinblatt LLC
Iliff, Meredith, Wildberger & Brennan, P.C.
Law Offices of Sally B. Gold, LLC
Maryland Access to Justice Commission, powered by MSBA
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, LLC
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP

Supporter
Michael and Nicole Bellis
Gorges & Company
Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company
Summit Business Technologies, LLC
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