The Arthur W. Machen, Jr. Award was presented to two recipients. M. Natalie McSherry a partner at Kramon & Graham, P.A. and in private practice over 30 years, has been an active volunteer providing pro bono services and serving on the boards of Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and other legal services programs.

Left Photo (L-R): Executive Director Susan M. Erlichman, Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer, M. Natalie McSherry, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell.

Another Machen Award was presented to Mitchell Y. Mirviss, partner at Venable LLP, who has been active as lead counsel in the lengthy class action suit to reform the Baltimore City foster care system for over 20 years and has also demonstrated his dedication through his continuous pro bono representation of children with severe disabilities.

Right Photo (L-R): Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer, Executive Director Susan M. Erlichman, Mitchell Y. Mirviss, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell.

The Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award was presented to Debra Gardner, legal director of the Public Justice Center, who has dedicated over 25 years to legal services and has provided leadership in the Right to Counsel/Civil Gideon efforts locally and nationally.

Left Photo (L-R): Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Debra Gardner, Susan M. Erlichman, Board Member Judge Pamela J. White.

The William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award was presented to Michelle L. Swift, pro bono program manager at the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), for her dedication to her clients and MVLS’ attorney volunteers for 13 years.

Right Photo (L-R): Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell,  Michelle Swift, Board Member Bernard L. Jennings, Executive Director Susan M. Erlichman.

The Herbert S. Garten Public Citizen Award was given to the Maryland People’s Law Library, which has been maintained by the Maryland State Law Library since 2007. The People’s Law Library is an award-winning website that provides legal and self-help information on Maryland and federal law affecting low- and moderate-income Marylanders and their families.

Left Photo (L-R): Executive Director Susan M. Erlichman, Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer, Richard S. Granat, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Board Member Teri A. Heger,  Steve Anderson and Michael Craven on behalf of the Maryland People’s Law Library, Herbert S. Garten.

MLSC presented an Award of Special Recognition to Janet Stidman Eveleth, recently retired director of communications of the Maryland State Bar Association, for her journalistic excellence in her coverage of legal services issues during her 24-year tenure.

Right Photo (L-R): Board Chair F. Vernon Boozer, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Janet Stidman Eveleth, Board member Franklin D. Chambers, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Director Susan M. Erlichman.