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As the only grandson to the late Judge Anselm Sodaro, each year, Matt Esworthy is invited by the Maryland State Bar Association to present the Judge Anselm Sodaro Judicial Civility Award (the Sodaro Award) to a Maryland judge who demonstrates exceptional temperament, civility, and courtesy to all those who come before them. Judge Sodaro stated that courtrooms should be “inviting” to attorneys and litigants. He believed that while judges must maintain order and control of the courtroom, they should do so in a manner that does not demean or embarrass attorneys, litigants, jurors, or witnesses. Further, he noted that lawyers always sought judges who provided a “level playing field.” Judge Sodaro made it a practice to compliment attorneys and litigants and to recognize in open court the efforts of both sides in presenting difficult cases. The Sodaro Award seeks to honor judges with similar qualities.