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Blogs | May, 9 2023

Maryland State Bar Association Celebrates Maryland Legal Aid Award Winners: Reena Shah, Esq. & Ward Coe III, Esq.

MSBA’s Access to Justice Honorees recognized at the 24th Annual Equal Justice Awards Breakfast with Keynote Speaker Governor Wes Moore

MSBA is proud to announce that Ward B. Coe III, Esq. and Reena K. Shah, Esq. are this year’s recipients of the Maryland Legal Aid Executive Director’s Award for their joint work as civil legal aid advocates and champions of equal access to justice. As Chair and Executive Director, respectively, of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission (A2JC), Ward Coe and Reena Shah have been tireless in their work to level the legal playing field for disadvantaged Marylanders. Their thoughtful, effective leadership of the MD A2JC has helped ensure that low-income Marylanders are able to access legal assistance and protect their rights amid the unprecedented challenges of the last few years.

“Ward is an exemplar of how an attorney can give back to the legal profession and advance access to justice in Maryland. Not only has he graced the lists of the best attorneys in the nation, he has demonstrated an enduring and life-long commitment to furthering the cause of civil justice for all. He serves as a role model to many of our members and his guidance and leadership as Chair have been invaluable in raising the stature of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission. Paired with Reena Shah, who serves as the Commission’s executive director and who has also committed her career to helping the most disenfranchised in our community, this powerful team has elevated the discourse around the civil justice system and multiplied the Commission’s impact through increased civil legal aid funding and a statewide access to counsel in evictions program.  We at the Maryland State Bar Association are proud to power the Access to Justice Commission and it is our privilege to congratulate Ward and Reena on this well-deserved honor,” said Anna Sholl, Executive Director, Maryland State Bar Association.

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) is a private, non-profit law firm that provides free, civil legal services to people who are in Baltimore City and Maryland’s 23 counties. The firm handles cases involving a wide range of issues, including family, housing, government benefits, healthcare, employment, and consumer law. 

TheEqual Justice Awards Breakfast is hosted each year by Maryland Legal Aid’s Equal Justice Council (EJC). The event honors and recognizes the individuals, law firms and community partners that are helping to ensure that all Marylanders have a fair shot at justice.

Event Details:  24th Annual Equal Justice Awards Breakfast Details

What: Maryland Legal Aid’s Equal Justice Council 24th Annual Awards Breakfast

When: Tuesday, May 16th | 7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Where: Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201