The legal community recognizes the good works of lawyers with a number of special honors and awards programs. One of these entities, Maryland Bar Foundation (MBF), shines the spotlight on outstanding lawyer volunteers through its annual Professional Legal Excellence Awards. Every year, MBF hosts an awards ceremony to honor attorneys who are exemplary volunteers dedicated to the community.

On September 28, 2004, MBF honored the following outstanding individuals as recipients of the 2004 Professional Legal Excellence Awards:

The Honorable Lynne A. Battaglia (Advancement of Professional Competence)
Charles L. Fuller (Advancement of Public Service Responsibility)
James F. Rosner (Advancement of the Rights of the Disadvantaged)
Ellery M. “Rick” Miller, Jr. (Advancement of Public Understanding of the Law)

These volunteers have done exceptional work to advance professional competence, public service responsibility, the rights of the disadvantaged, unpopular causes and the public understanding of the law. They also advance MBF’s goal of promoting public good.

Founded in 1965, MBF is a non-profit corporation which finances public service and education programs. It is one of the primary funding sources for legal services programs in Maryland, giving seed money to launch many new projects. MBF fosters and maintains the honor and integrity of the profession of law and promotes public good.

Over the years, it has funded a number of programs designed to improve the delivery of legal services and the administration of justice. It has supported everything from Law Links, MSBA’s student/law firm summer internship program, and Baltimore City’s Teen Court to the joint Bar/Bench Gender Equality study. This assistance is made possible by the generous financial support of its “Fellows.” These dedicated attorneys contribute to the Foundation to support the good works of the legal community.

“This year’s award recipients exemplify the good works that can be accomplished when we commit ourselves to achieving excellence in our service to the profession and the public,” states the Honorable William D. Missouri, Chair of MBF’s Legal Excellence Awards Committee. “By calling attention to the examples set by these extraordinary individuals, the entire professional community will hopefully be inspired to emulate them.”

One of MBF’s thrusts is the recognition and reward of members of the profession whose character and conduct bespeak the highest commitment to these principles through the Legal Excellence Awards. This year’s award ceremony was held at the state house in Annapolis, with over 80 judges and attorneys in attendance. The 2004 award recipients were honored by MBF Chair Paul D. Bekman and Judge Missouri for their commitment to public service.