Towson, MD

Steven D. Silverman

Steven D. Silverman is the managing partner with thirty years of litigation experience in federal and state courts. He is recognized as one of the most able trial lawyers and negotiators in Maryland, with an extraordinary record of success in complex civil and high-profile criminal litigation. He has been recognized as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Maryland for 12 consecutive years by The American Association of Trial Lawyers and named a U.S. News Best Lawyer in America for civil litigation.

Joel D. Bieber

Joel Bieber, Esq. is the founder of The Joel Bieber Firm, a personal injury and pharmaceutical law firm based in Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; with additional offices in Maryland, South Carolina, West Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Mr. Bieber notes that one side of his family are farmers and the other side is filled with preachers. That is why he describes his upbringing as, “I know how to milk a cow and am comfortable in a church or a barn. Joel also notes that he enjoys playing ping pong outside on windy days. During college he served both as a Congressional aide and a legislative aide in the Virginia General Assembly. He then received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Old Dominion University, his Law degree from Oklahoma City University. He is admitted to practice in Virginia and South Carolina, the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, South US District Court of South Carolina, the 4th Circuit US Court of Appeals, and has waived into several other states to handle cases across the United States. Charity work is near and dear to Mr. Bieber’s heart. He has served as Advisory Board member for Crossover Ministries and has been a Spokesman for United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and Richmond Hero, an animal protection organization. He is also active with Caritas, the National Kidney Foundation of the Virginia’s, and the Brain Injury Association of Virginia. He also is a member of the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS) and received the organization’s Founders Award (now known as the Robert Voogt Founders Award) for his dedication to advancement in the field of brain injury. He has been appointed by the Governor of Virginia to serve on the VCU Health System Authority Board of Directors. The Authority operates hospitals and related health care facilities including five Health Sciences Schools of Virginia Commonwealth University.

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.

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.

Gary S. Bernstein

Gary S. Bernstein is an attorney with over four decades of experience, leveraging his background as a former Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City to provide strategic criminal defense representation. He is a sought-after lecturer on DUI defense, respected by legal professionals, and has authored books on criminal practice and procedures. He is known for his 'no plea' approach, fighting for the best possible outcome for his clients in court, including in complex cases like DUI, drug trafficking, and wrongful death.

David A. Muncy

David A. Muncy joined Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. upon graduation from law school in 2012 and was made a partner in the firm in 2017. He worked for both plaintiffs’ personal injury firms and an insurance defense firm, deciding to fight for injured people. In law school, he served on the Executive Board of the University of Baltimore Law Review, competed on the Robert Wagner Moot Court Team, and was selected for the Dean Search Committee. He also represented indigent criminal defendants as a Rule 16 Public Defender. He graduated from the University of Maryland College Park in 2009 and the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2012 magna cum laude, inducted into the Heuisler Honor Society. In 2018, David was elected Parliamentarian for the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ), the youngest attorney in Maryland to hold an elected Officer position. He served as Secretary, Treasurer, and President-Elect before becoming President of MAJ in 2023. He sits on the MAJ Board of Governors and previously co-chaired the Young Lawyers Division, Membership Committee, and Auto Negligence Section. He has testified before the Maryland General Assembly on bills affecting injured victims' rights. David is also a member of the American Association for Justice and attends CLE programs. He was previously Co-Chair of the Howard County Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division. David focuses his practice on personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security Disability cases. He has tried hundreds of cases before various Maryland courts and commissions. In 2015, he was named to the Daily Record’s “20 in Their 20s,” and was selected for Super Lawyers’ list of Maryland Rising Stars (2017-2023). The National Trial Lawyers' Association also named him to the Top 40 under 40 list. In 2019, he was honored with MAJ’s Outstanding Service Award. In 2022, he was named to The Daily Record’s Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Power List. Since 2013, David has volunteered with Wills for Heroes.

Thomas J. Maronick Jr.

Thomas J. Maronick Jr. is a Senior Partner focusing on criminal defense, DUIs, bankruptcy, family law, serious accidents, and personal injury cases. He also assists business owners and partners on medical malpractice cases. Licensed in Maryland state and federal courts, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, he has litigated cases across Maryland. Recognized as a Super Lawyer and National Trial Lawyers Top 100, he is also a sought-after legal analyst for national media. A Baltimore native, he previously served as a police officer and worked in journalism and music.