Michael W. Modica, Attorney at Law has received the 2026 ELA Award for Best Criminal Defense Firm, presented by Expert Law Attorneys. The award recognizes the Wilmington, Delaware firm for its strong defense of people facing criminal charges.
About the 2026 ELA Awards
The ELA Awards recognize law firms across the United States for the quality of their work and the way they serve clients. Honorees stand out for focused experience in their practice areas, responsive client service, professional conduct, and commitment to the communities they serve.
Why Michael W. Modica, Attorney at Law Earned the Recognition
Michael W. Modica, Attorney at Law is a criminal defense firm serving Wilmington, New Castle County and clients throughout Delaware. Michael W. Modica has practiced since 1982 and began his career as a Deputy Attorney General with the Delaware Department of Justice, bringing more than 40 years of experience to criminal cases. He defends clients charged with DUI, drug offenses, domestic violence, assault, sex crimes, theft and robbery, weapons charges, computer crimes, white collar offenses, juvenile matters and probation violations, and he handles appeals, post-conviction relief, pardons and expungements.
He appears in Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, Newark Alderman’s Court and Justice of the Peace Courts, and Superior Court judges have appointed him to represent people charged with capital murder. In one manslaughter case, a four day trial ended with an 11 to 1 jury vote for acquittal and the state dismissed the charge. He holds a Distinguished peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell, an Avvo Rating of 10.0 and an Avvo Clients’ Choice Award, was named to the Delaware Today Top Lawyers list in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and has taught DUI defense at the Superior Court Forum.
What the Award Means for Clients
People dealing with a criminal charge often have little to go on beyond a website and a few reviews. Recognition in the 2026 ELA Awards gives them one more reason for confidence that Michael W. Modica, Attorney at Law takes its work and its clients seriously.