Law Firm Establishes Scholarship Fund in Honor of Edgar Silver

Maryland law firm Rifkin, Livingston, Levitan & Silver, LLC, has donated $50,000 to the University of Maryland School of Law's Making an Impact campaign to establish a law and public service scholarship fund in the name of one of its founding members, former Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Edgar P. Silver.

Alan M. Rifkin, the Firm's managing partner, announced creation of the Edgar P. Silver Scholarship Fund before nearly 300 business leaders attending the Firm's annual breakfast at the Camden Yards Warehouse on Dec. 6. The event featured top General Assembly leaders, including Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Mike Busch.

"Edgar Silver has had a remarkable career as a public servant, a judge and as a lawyer. His guidance and mentorship is legendary," said Rifkin. "This law firm's success story and that of many others would not have been possible without Edgar Silver. His legacy will continue with the creation of this scholarship."

The scholarship will be awarded to a third-year law school student interested in a public service career. A committee led by Dean Karen H. Rothenberg of the University of Maryland School of Law will make the annual selection.

"We are deeply honored that the Firm has chosen the Law School to celebrate Judge Silver's life and work," said Dean Rothenberg, who is also the Marjorie Cook Professor of Law. "He is a role model to our students and an example of dedication to public service for us all."

Known widely in Maryland political circles simply as "the Judge," Edgar Silver has dedicated his life to law and politics, including nearly a quarter-century on the Baltimore City bench.

Still an active lawyer at age 84, Judge Silver was first appointed to the Baltimore Municipal Court (which became the District Court) in 1965. Ten years later, Governor Blair Lee elevated him to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. He has been "of counsel" to the Rifkin law firm since its inception in 1989.

He began his 21-year elective career as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in 1954 and served 10 years as Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Motor Vehicles.

"This is one time in my life when I am speechless," Judge Silver said in response to the surprise announcement. "I am touched by the firm's gesture and I'm excited about the fact this scholarship will help law school students who are attracted to public service."