(ANNAPOLIS, Md. – July 28, 2009) Several members of the Maryland Judiciary were recently honored during the Maryland State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting.

--Baltimore County District Judge Robert Steinberg received the MSBA Anselm Sodaro Judicial Civility Award. The Sodaro Award is presented to a judge who has demonstrated exceptional judicial temperament, patience, civility and courtesy. The MSBA established this award in 1998 in honor of Judge Anselm Sodaro.

--Retired Court of Appeals Judge Irma S. Raker received the Maryland State Bar Foundation 2009 Annual H. Vernon Eney Award, the highest award given by the Foundation, for outstanding leadership in working to improve government and the administration of justice. The award was created in 1984 as a tribute to H. Vernon Eney, who recommended and led the effort for significant changes in government at the state and local levels.

--Retired Court of Special Appeals Judge Andrew L. Sonner was named the recipient of the MSBA J. Joseph Curran Award. The award is given to the government or public interest lawyer who selflessly serves the public good and furthers the goals of better government and societal standards. 

--Ramona B. Buck, MACRO public policy director, received the Robert M. Bell Award from the ADR Section of the MSBA for her outstanding contributions to alternative dispute resolution in Maryland. The award is named in honor of Maryland’s Chief Judge Robert M. Bell for his work in promoting the use of alternative dispute resolution programs and activities in the Maryland Judiciary, schools, government and communities

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