We are proud to announce that two Goodell DeVries lawyers have been honored by the D.C. Defense Lawyers Association (DCDLA).
Partner Kamil Ismail was named the DCDLA's 2026 Lawyer of the Year, and associate Ifeanyi Ezeigbo received the President's Award. The two were presented with their awards at DCDLA’s annual banquet on June 11, 2026.
DCDLA’s Board recognized Kamil for his longstanding dedication to the organization’s mission. He served as the DRI/DCDLA liaison for several years, during which he organized community service activities, such as the annual Thanksgiving food drive, among many other endeavors.
Kamil’s civic and professional contributions extend well beyond DCDLA. He has been a member of the Character Committee of the Supreme Court of Maryland for the Sixth Appellate Circuit since 2014, and currently serves as its Chair. He previously served as a member of the Governor’s Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fourteenth Judicial District (Baltimore City). He is also a former adjunct professor of the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he taught Advocacy.
He is also an active member of the Bar Association of Baltimore City, which presented him with its Baltimore Bar Foundation Fellows Award in 2024.
Kamil focuses his practice on insurance coverage and commercial litigation. He is recognized as a leading attorney by Chambers, Benchmark Litigation, and Best Lawyers in America.
Ifeanyi received the DCDLA President's Award for his many years of hard work in the organization's leadership. He currently serves as the group's President and is a former Vice President and Secretary.
In addition to leading DCDLA, Ifeanyi serves on the Maryland Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for Baltimore City. He is also an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar, the Bar Association of Baltimore City's Young Lawyers' Division, and the Monumental City Bar Association.
Ifeanyi is a member of Goodell DeVries's Medical Malpractice Practice Group. He has been selected for Best Lawyers in America - Ones to Watch and Maryland Super Lawyers for medical malpractice defense. He has also been selected for The National Black Lawyers Top 100 Top 40 Under 40.
About DCDLA
The D.C. Defense Lawyers’ Association consists of attorneys who devote substantial time to the defense of civil cases in the courts of the District of Columbia. The association provides for an exchange of information on the procedures and law related to the defense of civil actions. The association seeks to elevate the standards of trial practice, improve the adversary system, work toward elimination of delay in civil litigation, and increase the quality of service that the legal profession renders to the community.
