Baltimore (July 6, 2012) – With deep sadness the law firm of Adelberg, Rudow, Dorf & Hendler, LLC (ARD&H) announces that friend, partner and colleague Retired Judge Paul A. Dorf passed away last night at age 86.
On behalf of the firm, ARD&H Managing Member Oren D. Saltzman stated the following:
“Paul brought a very strong spirit of collegiality, high ethical standards, energy and enthusiasm to the practice of law. He was at the forefront of the alternative dispute resolution movement in Maryland. He took great pride serving as a mentor to lawyers, judges and political aspirants. He had a love of the law and love of life. The members and staff of Adelberg, Rudow, Dorf & Hendler will miss Paul’s leadership and intelligence. We are profoundly saddened by his passing.”
Born and raised in Baltimore, Dorf completed the Naval Air Cadet V-5 Program at the University of Iowa and then proudly served in this country’s armed forces. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland (College Park) and his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law (Baltimore). Prior to his graduation from law school, he took and passed the bar exam.
For 19 years, Dorf maintained an active general practice but his true calling was in the courtroom. He later channeled his strong interest in helping people by serving with distinction as: Assistant City Solicitor (1951-1958), Chief Judge of the Baltimore City Traffic Court (1959-1960), Maryland State Senator (1960 through 1968) and Associate Judge of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City {(now known as the Circuit Court for Baltimore City) 1968 to 1983}.
Since joining ARD&H in 1983 as a name partner, he devoted his practice to family law, litigation and alternate dispute resolution, and served as a volunteer arbitrator/mediator for the Circuit Courts for Baltimore County and Baltimore City, as well as the Orphans’ Courts for Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
Certified by the courts and alternative dispute resolution organizations in the field of alternative dispute resolution, he conducted private arbitrations and mediations in domestic and other civil disputes. Dorf served as a neutral for alternative dispute resolution organizations such as the American Arbitration Association, National Arbitration Forum, Resolute and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S District Court for the District of Maryland, Dorf earned many accolades throughout his career. Recent accomplishments include election into 2009 Super Lawyers: Corporate Counsel Alternate Dispute Resolution; 2007 through 2009 Maryland Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America®, 2008 through 2012.
A Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation, he held memberships in the Maryland State Bar, Baltimore City and Baltimore County Bar Associations. He also served on the Governor's Commission on Alternate Dispute Resolution, as well as adjunct faculty of the University of Baltimore Law School, University of Maryland University College, Paralegal Studies Department and Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers.
“We will remember Paul for the fine individual he was; for the large number of people who he positively influenced; for his respect for and love of the law; and for the many acts and deeds of kindness, no matter how large or small, which he willingly performed and without hesitation,” said ARD&H Member Jerald B. Lurie, who eulogized Dorf at the funeral.
Services took place Sunday, July 8, at 11 a.m. at Sol Levenson & Bros. Funeral Home in Pikesville (8900 Reisterstown Rd.). Internment followed at Beth Tfiloh Cemetery (5800 Windsor Mill Rd.). In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dorf’s memory may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 8219 Town Center Dr., Baltimore, MD 21236 or the charity of your choice. The family will be in mourning at 10 E. Lee St. #2600, Baltimore, MD 21202, Sunday through Thursday at 7 p.m.
Dorf is survived by his wife, Helene Penn Dorf (nee Coplan); children, Cynthia Dorf Kleiman and James Howard Dorf ; sons-in-law, Ronald Kleiman and Jay Weinstein; step-children, Ruthie and David Carliner; siblings, Miriam Dorf and Stanley and Millie Dorf, and grandchildren, Michael Dorf Kleiman, Jeremy Dorf Kleiman, and Leah, Joseph, Angelica and Beth Carliner.
His first wife of 50 years, Rhona Dorf (nee Pollack) died in 2008 and their daughter, Jayme Dorf Weinstein, died in 2004.