It's not every day you see the top judge in the state playing the role of party photographer. Robert Bell, chief judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, snapped shots at the annual awards reception for the Maryland Legal Services Corp., which provides civil legal assistance to low-income Marylanders. This was an evening all about the giving of one's services.

"This gives us a chance to get together with grantees, judges, legislators and people who do so many good things for people who need legal aid," said F. Vernon Boozer, Maryland Legal Services Corp. chair.

"These really are tough times," said Maryland Legal Services executive director Susan Erlichman. "So this is a time to celebrate the people and the hard work they do."

Guests at the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore Hotel included Thomas Cardaro, Maryland State Bar Association president; and Steve Manekin and Aileen Eskildsen, Ellin & Tucker partners.

For those being honored - Carl R. Gold, a Towson-based attorney; Tracy Brown, Women's Law Center of Maryland executive director; Deborah Jean Weimer, University of Maryland School of Law professor; and Carol Ahlum, Legal Aid Bureau of Midwestern Maryland paralegal - the celebration was about much more than receiving a plaque.

"It's so gratifying to get an award from a community that's dedicated to doing such good work," Brown said.

Sloane Brown can be contacted at sloane@sloanebrown.com.