Byron Warnken, J.D. '77, Wins Statewide Leadership in Law Award
December 2, 2008
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
A group of Maryland's most elite attorneys recently chose University of Baltimore School of Law Associate Professor Byron L. Warnken, J.D. '77, for the prestigious Leadership in Law Award. Warnken was announced as the winner at a luncheon held on Friday, Nov. 21, to honor all 24 of this year's Leadership in Law nominees, who voted amongst themselves to choose the winner.
The award, which is sponsored by the Daily Record, was created in 2000 to honor the many Maryland attorneys and judges who deserve particular recognition for service to their communities. Past winners include the Honorable Robert M. Bell, chief judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, and Paul A. Tiburzi, managing partner of DLA Piper's Baltimore office. Warnken is only the second University of Baltimore alumnus to receive the award, and is the first winner to have graduated from the University's School of Law.
The Leadership in Law nomination process is comprehensive and begins with the solicitation of nominations from more than 35,000 legal professionals—attorneys and judges—who practice in Maryland. Nominations are accepted through mid-August, and must include descriptions of the nominee's professional achievements, involvement and community service. Examples of a nominee's mentoring activity within the professions are also encouraged.
Once the nomination process is concluded, the field is narrowed by an internal panel at the Daily Record. The 60 finalists chosen by that panel are then narrowed to 24 overall winners by an external panel of judges. The 24 winners then vote amongst themselves by secret ballot to choose each year's top winner.
University of Baltimore School of Law Dean Phillip J. Closius said he was not surprised to hear that Warnken was chosen.
"Byron Warnken is an invaluable asset to the University of Baltimore School of Law," Closius said. "His tireless commitment to our students, to the School of Law, and to the University of Baltimore as a whole is appreciated every day."
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.