Frederick, MD

Bruce Plaxen

Bruce Plaxen is the founding partner of Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., with over 40 years of experience in personal injury litigation. He is currently the President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), having previously served as Vice President (2023-2024), Secretary (2022-2023), Treasurer (2021), and Parliamentarian (2020). He has been on the Board of Governors for the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ) since 1993, serving as President (2001-2002) and Chairman of the Political Action Committee (2001-2016 and 2018-2021). Plaxen has received numerous awards including the MAJ President's Award (2007, 2010, 2024), Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year (2009), AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Citation of Excellence (2003, 2010, 2016, 2020), AAJ Distinguished Service Award (2017), AAJ Above & Beyond Award (2019), AAJ Joe Tonahill Award (2023), AAJ Evergreen Award (2023), and was named an Influential Marylander by The Daily Record in 2025. He is also a Super Lawyers Top 100 Maryland attorney (2020-2025) and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for 19 consecutive years (2007-2025). He spearheaded the Trial Lawyers Care program, providing pro bono legal services to 9/11 victims' families, and received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy from the State University of New York at Albany in 2005 for these efforts.

Michael J. Schreyer

Maryland attorney Michael J. Schreyer has devoted over 36 years to developing thorough trial skills and knowledge in more than 2000 cases and 100 jury trials. An accomplished appellate advocate, he has overturned and defended trial court decisions through appeals to Maryland’s highest courts. He has been a speaker for the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Education Association state convention concerning current appellate cases, and for the Maryland Trial Lawyers’ Association, concerning claims by traveling employees. He is a council member to the Maryland State Bar Association’s Negligence, Insurance & Workers’ Compensation Section, a member of the Legislative & Amicus Brief Committees of the Maryland Trial Lawyers’ Association, and has been selected to the National Advisory Board of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. Mr. Schreyer has received national recognition of achievement in Civil Trial Advocacy by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®, carries a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo, and has been included in the Super Lawyers® lists in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Matthew D. Trollinger

Matthew D. Trollinger is a top-rated attorney and founder of Trollinger Law LLC, representing clients in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases throughout Southern Maryland and Washington, D.C. He is a respected leader and speaker for organizations including the Maryland Association for Justice, the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) Negligence, Insurance, and Workers’ Compensation Section, and the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Educational Association. He focuses on achieving justice for injury victims and has a heart for public safety workers. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers, a Leading Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Annapolis & Central Maryland, and a Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

D. Bruce Poole

Bruce Poole, Esq. has been representing clients and trying cases for 40 years. He has completed well over 100 jury and bench trials, secured large verdicts, and successfully argued cases before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and Maryland Court of Appeals. He is named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Trial Attorneys List, received a lifetime achievement membership in America's Top 100 Attorneys, and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent rating.

Jonathan N. Portner

Mr. Portner is the President and Managing Partner of Portner & Shure, P.A. He is licensed to practice in MD, VA, and D.C. and represents clients in criminal defense, personal injury (motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workers' compensation, drug and medical device injuries). He supervises seven offices and ten lawyers, securing millions in settlements and trial awards, with over $400 million recovered. He is known for his aggressive yet fair approach, focusing on client satisfaction and results. He is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Lawyers of Distinction, recognized as a top trial lawyer in America. He has been featured in Time Magazine and The National Law Journal, and recognized by the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers for personal injury, workers’ compensation, and criminal defense. Other accolades include American Top 100 Attorneys, Million Dollar, Best Attorneys of America, and Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense. State-level recognition includes "Top 10" in Maryland by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys, One of Maryland’s Top 10 Attorneys, and "10 Best" for Criminal Law. He was also named Personal Injury Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers and a Top Rated Attorney by AVVO. He has dedicated firm resources to non-English speaking clients, providing services in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Edward L. Norwind

Edward L. Norwind (Lee) has a distinguished reputation in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and beyond, recognized as a Super Lawyer in both areas. He is a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers and listed on LawDragon 3000 as one of the nation’s most influential lawyers. He has an Avvo Rating of '10.0/Superb' and is a founding member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, District of Columbia Chapter. He is a past-president of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and serves on the National Advisory Board of APITLA. His practice focuses on trucking accidents, personal injury/wrongful death, professional malpractice, and major case litigation. He is known for his relentless commitment to winning cases and his compassionate approach to clients.

Jack A. Gold

Jack A. Gold is the firm’s Administrative Managing Partner and leads the appellate division, with an impressive record of significant appellate victories in state and federal courts. He also litigates complex motions and handles various legal matters including contract disputes, traffic/minor criminal matters, landlord-tenant issues, and estate planning. He is on the Board of Directors of the D.C. Trial Lawyers Association and has served on its Amicus Committee. He is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for over five years.