LEGAL RIGHTS RADIO - Key Persons
For nearly 35 years, Jason Shapiro has been a highly recognized and accomplished attorney, delivering excellent results to his clients while setting the standard for superior customer/client service. He also has been honored for over the past two decades as one of Maryland's Superlawyers (Top 5% of state's lawyers in a practice area) and even more significantly, by the even more exclusive and more prestigious Best Lawyers in America, in which Jason was given the highest distinction of Lawyer of the Year in 2016. In setting the bar high for not just results but representation as well, Jason has continually led his firm, Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake, to be recognized as one of the Best Law Firms in America.
Jason began his career first serving as an award-winning prosecutor, and then, for nearly the past 30 years, as a highly decorated criminal defense attorney. Jason has been honored by his peers who selected him as the President of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association from 2010-2011, an organization in which Jason still serves as a board member. Additionally, Jason was appointed for three terms to the highly prestigious Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission. Former Maryland Governor, Martin O'Malley appointed Jason as Chairman to this commission for an eight-year term, and appointed Jason to serve on the Maryland Public Defender's Advisory Board. Former Howard County Executive Ken Ulman also called upon Jason's legal expertise appointing him a counsel to the Board of Elections protecting the voting rights of the county's citizens.
During his career, Jason has either prosecuted or defended a myriad of cases from Disorderly Conduct to Death Penalty/First-Degree Murder. He has handled close to 10,000 DUI cases, thousands of drug cases, and even secured total and complete dismissals in his last two First-Degree Murder cases that he defended. As an Assistant State's Attorney, Jason served as the Chief of the Auto Manslaughter unit, and then as Chief of the of the Narcotics Prosecution Team, and he has parlayed that prosecutorial experience into offering superior representation in his current role as a practitioner of Criminal Defense, and Personal Injury.
Jason has been recognized by his peers and his colleagues as one of the best lawyers practicing in the Maryland courts. He has represented police officers and their families, families of judges and prosecutors, court clerks and their families, other attorneys and their family members, and others who know who to turn to when they need an attorney that they can count on to get them the best results possible. It's no wonder why one prominent attorney who has been practicing law for nearly 50 years recently commented that he has "seen much through my years practicing law but watching Jason Shapiro…was some of the best lawyering that I have ever seen." It's no wonder why Charles "Chuck" Cave, retired Maryland State Police Sergeant and Retired Sheriff for Howard County commented that "Jason Shapiro is the finest criminal defense attorney in the area…He is the only criminal defense attorney that I refer cases to." And it's no wonder why a veteran member of the Division of Parole and Probation commented that "Jason is the best lawyer that I have ever seen during my 15 years in the court system."
Jason grew up in Maryland and has lived in Howard County for nearly the past 40 years. His roots run deep throughout the community, both professionally and personally. Jason has built extensive friendships throughout the Maryland "recovery community." Through these relationships, Jason has been able to assist many of his clients in getting help obtaining and maintaining their sobriety from drugs and alcohol, many times the reason why the clients are in need of Jason's services in the first place. Additionally, he has served on a multitude of legal boards and organizations, including several charitable boards. He has taught several continuing education classes to other attorneys and to police officers. For nearly 40 years, Jason has been and is an integral part of the local Maryland community and legal community.
Jason has been so proud to serve his clients, helping them set a new and positive direction in their lives, providing unparalleled service while seeking the best possible results. As of January 1, 2022, Jason has stepped down as the Firm's Managing Partner to serve the firm in an "Of Counsel" capacity, remaining an integral part of the Firm. Also as of January 1, 2022, Jason's partners, David Zwanetz and Justin Lake assumed the role of the Firm's Co-Managing Partners, carrying out the Firm's core values, working with Jason to keep Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake as the quintessential example of the way law firms should represent clients and conduct their business.
Awards
Avvo Rating - Jason Shapiro
Super Lawyer for 10 Years - Jason Shapiro
Best Lawyers 2020 - Jason Shapiro
Best Lawyers 2021 - Jason Shapiro
Becoming Owner and Co-Managing Partner at Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake is the realization of a dream that began years ago. Justin first had the opportunity to work with Jason Shapiro and David Zwanetz as a law clerk while in his second year of law school at the University of Baltimore. During that time, it was immediately apparent that Jason, David, and Justin all shared the same values and the same passion for fighting for every client and their particular and individual situations. Justin knew that this was "home", and it was his dream to one day return after law school to join forces once again with Jason and David.
Upon joining them (Shapiro Zwanetz & Associates) in 2018, Justin's effectiveness in the courtroom was quickly recognized by his peers as he was selected as one of Maryland Superlawyer's Rising Stars, which is a distinction awarded to only 2.5% of the attorneys in Maryland.
Being charged with a crime and facing the criminal justice system can be a scary and daunting process. Justin takes great pride in each of his client's cases and works hard to keep all clients informed throughout the entire process.
Justin has years of experience handling a wide range of criminal, DUI/DWI, and traffic cases. Prior to Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake, Justin was an Assistant State's Attorney at the Howard County State's Attorney's Office. During his nearly four years at the State's Attorney's office, Justin prosecuted thousands of DUI/DWI and misdemeanor cases, prompting his quick promotion to the Circuit Court Division, where he routinely handled major felony cases including Robbery, Armed Robbery, and First Degree Murder. Justin is now handling these same types of cases, and the experience Justin has as a former prosecutor allows him to meticulously analyze each and every aspect of his cases to get the best results for his clients.
One particularly notable case that Justin has handled was during the winter of 2019 when Justin represented a client charged with First Degree Rape, a felony that carries the possibility of life in prison. The case was not called for trial until over one full year from the date that charges were initiated. Through Justin's tireless efforts to defend his client, he learned that the prosecution's case was based solely on false accusations. One of the most satisfying moments of Justin's career was when, due to Justin's superb lawyering, evidence proposed by the State was excluded and the prosecution was forced to dismiss all charges against Justin's client. Sharing with his client and the client's family that their nightmare was finally over is a pinnacle moment in Justin's career that he will never forget. Perhaps this is just one reason why one of the Maryland judges commented about him: "Justin has impressed me so much…..He puts a lot of thought into his approach for each of his clients and chose the perfect words to say on their behalf. If I didn't know any better I'd swear Justin has been doing criminal defense for 20+ years. He is so polished and poised…."
Justin is a lifelong Maryland resident, growing up in Howard County with his parents and two sisters. Justin received his undergraduate degree from The Pennsylvania State University and matriculated from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude. Justin now lives in Baltimore with his wife and daughter. Justin is a passionate D.C. sports fan and enjoys cheering on the Washington Football Team, Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, and of course his Nittany Lions.