Award recognizes exceptional leaders whose vision, innovation and service help shape Maryland’s business, civic and nonprofit communities

Baltimore, MD – Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. today announced that James D. Cardea has been honored as a 2026 Influential Marylander by The Daily Record. This year marks the program’s 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of recognizing the exceptional leaders whose vision, innovation and service have helped shape Maryland’s business, civic and nonprofit communities.

Influential Marylanders was created in 2006 to recognize individuals for their significant contributions to their respective fields and for their leadership in Maryland in the following areas: law, civic leadership, communications, education, finance, freestyle, general business, healthcare, philanthropy, real estate and technology. This year’s Influential Marylanders were selected by the editors of The Daily Record through a nomination process.

“I am honored to be recognized by The Daily Record as an Influential Marylander in recognition of the impactful work that my dedicated team and I undertake on behalf of our clients and their families facing complex legal matters in their pursuit of justice,” said Mr. Cardea. “I am proud that our tireless efforts and advocacy continue to help strengthen and shape the legal community in Maryland and beyond.” 

“The 2026 Influential Marylanders demonstrate an impressive record of accomplishment, leadership and vision. They are actively engaged in the community, and they mentor others,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/The Daily Record. “This year’s honorees are such an impressive group of leaders, and they are examples for everyone to emulate. We at The Daily Record are pleased to honor this year’s Influential Marylanders.”

As a partner at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A., Cardea has more than 30 years of litigation and jury trial experience and is consistently recognized as one of the region’s top medical malpractice and personal injury attorneys. He has been repeatedly honored as one of Maryland’s top 100 attorneys by Super Lawyers and as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Maryland by the American Trial Lawyers Association. In 2025 – 2026, he was named by Super Lawyers as one of the top 10 lawyers in the state of Maryland, as well as being included in the 2026 Super Lawyers’ inaugural Top 5 Maryland Personal Injury Attorney list. Cardea has also been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is widely recognized as the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America.

Additionally, Cardea has earned numerous legal industry awards, including: Top 100 Litigation Lawyer in the State of Maryland by the American Society of Legal Advocates; inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America™ since 2011; 2025 Leaders in Law by The Daily Record and Maryland State Bar Association; and one of only 25 attorneys named to The Daily Record’s 2022 and 2023 Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Law Power List.

Cardea earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from McDaniel College and graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Cardea lives in Fulton in Howard County, Md. 

About The Daily Record 

The Daily Record is a digital-first, daily news media company focusing on law, government and business, and connects executives and decision-makers across Maryland through its integrated media platform spanning digital, print, email and events. The Daily Record is part of BridgeTower Media, a network of 40-plus brands connecting business executives and igniting business growth across markets and industries. For more information, visit thedailyrecord.com.

About Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A.

Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A., has been fighting for patients’ rights as a leading medical malpractice law firm since 1984. Additionally, the firm is a recognized leader in sexual abuse cases as well as class action and mass tort litigation. Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. has offices in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Its lawyers are licensed to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia, and they have been specially admitted on a case-by-case basis by courts in Florida, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, West Virginia and other states. On special motion and with approval of courts elsewhere, Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea’s lawyers are available to participate in cases throughout the United States. To learn more, call 1-888-234-0001 or visit: sfspa.com. 

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Media Contact: Mitchell Schmale
Nevins & Associates
mschmale@nevinspr.com
410-336-8571