The 2026 ELA Awards from Expert Law Attorneys have named Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered Best Family Law Firm of 2026, recognizing the Bel Air, Maryland firm for guiding families through divorce, custody, and other family law matters.
About the 2026 ELA Awards
Presented each year by Expert Law Attorneys, the ELA Awards honor law firms that set a high standard for how clients are treated, from the first phone call to the final result. Recipients are recognized for experience in their field, client service, ethical practice, and involvement in their communities.
Why Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered Earned the Recognition
Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered is a Bel Air, Maryland law firm focused on family law, divorce, criminal defense and personal injury, serving Harford, Cecil and Baltimore counties. Attorneys Carl R. Schlaich and Katherine Kole Thompson have served clients since 1998 and bring more than 60 years of combined experience. The firm handles divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, alimony, adoption, emergency custody orders, property division, protective orders, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, along with DUI and traffic offenses, drug crimes, gun crimes, domestic violence, violent crimes, white collar crime, and state and federal charges.
The firm holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating and has been recognized with Client Champion Platinum, 10 Best and Lawyers of Distinction honors. Clients work with the same attorney from start to finish, and the firm works to resolve cases through negotiation or settlement while going to trial when that serves the client. The firm serves Bel Air, Towson, Elkton, Forest Hill, Fallston, Abingdon, Aberdeen, Edgewood, Joppa, Jarrettsville and Havre de Grace.
What the Award Means for Clients
When you are dealing with a family law matter, choosing the right firm matters. The 2026 ELA Award reflects the standard Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered has set for its practice and adds to the firm’s reputation in Bel Air and throughout Maryland.