2025-2026 Bar Year Award Recipients

2025-26 Bar Year Award Recipients

The Maryland State Bar Association extends its sincere gratitude and congratulations to the remarkable award recipients of the 2025-2026 bar year. Through their unwavering dedication, these volunteers embody the very best of our profession and continue to elevate the Maryland legal community.

PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS

IMMIGRATION

CECILIA B. PAIZS, ESQ.

Chief Judge

Robert M. Bell Award

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE SECTION

JOHN C. SCHROPP, ESQ.

The Alan J. Belsky Award

CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY SECTION

SECTION AWARDS

ROBERT “JAY” SMITH, JR.

The James J. Hanks, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award

BUSINESS LAW SECTION

ARNOLD M. WEINER, ESQ.

The Robert C. Heeney Award

CRIMINAL LAW & PRACTICE SECTION

THE HONORABLE YVETTE M. BRYANT

The Honorable Glenn T. Harrell, Jr. Award for Judicial Excellence

LITIGATION SECTION

NANCY HAAS

Distinguished Maryland Real Property Practitioner

REAL PROPERTY SECTION

PAUL J. REINSTEIN

Beverly Ann Groner Family Law Award

FAMILY LAW SECTION

KELLY SCHULTE

Marc C. Noren Award

FAMILY LAW SECTION

DAVID J. POLASHUK, ESQ.

The Tax Excellence Award

TAXATION LAW SECTION

CHAUNCEY BELLAMY

Steven J. Mandel Scholarship

BUSINESS LAW SECTION

GLENN M. COOPER, ESQ.

Litigator of the Year

LITIGATION SECTION

LAUREN E. LAKE, ESQ.

Melody Tagliaferri Cronin Award

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

ROBB A. LONGMAN, ESQ.

The J. Ronald Shiff Memorial Pro Bono Award

TAXATION LAW SECTION

MICHAEL CANTRELL, ESQ.

LAURA MARGULIES, ESQ.

GARY ROSEN, ESQ.

Outstanding Service, Dedication and Commitment to the Legal Profession and Consumer Bankruptcy

CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY SECTION