Attorney Profile

Paul Mark Sandler is Of Counsel in the law firm of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, P.A., and has represented many notable clients in a wide variety of trials and appeals, civil and criminal, in state and federal courts in Maryland, and throughout the United States.

Mr. Sandler is a frequent lecturer on trial and appellate practice, founder and former chair of the Litigation Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, and past Secretary of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and Chair of the College’s one-day trial training program for young lawyers.

In addition to writing a monthly column for The Daily Record, Mr. Sandler is the author, co-author, or co-editor of numerous books on trial advocacy. Titles include:

He is also the author of the play The Murder Trial of Al Capone and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, which has been presented in Chicago’s Goodman Theater and elsewhere.

Mr. Sandler received his undergraduate degree from Hobart College and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, and was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1972.

Affiliations

  • Board Member, Stevenson University (2012 to present)
  • Board Member, Legal Aid Bureau (2000-2012)
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (inducted 2011)
  • Secretary, Litigation Section of the American Bar Association, 2004-2008
  • Board of Directors, Former Member, Maryland Professionalism Center (established by the Maryland Judiciary)'
  • Member, Maryland State Bar Association; Co-Chair, MSBA Special Committee on Voir Dire
  • Founder, first chair, and member, MSBA Litigation Section
  • Member, Federal Bar Association (1995-Present)
  • Adjunct Professor of Appellate Practice - University of Baltimore School of Law (1974- 1984)
  • President, Maryland Public Television Foundation Board, (2001-2004)
  • Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, past member of the Board of Electors
  • University of Maryland Cancer Center Advisory Board, Former Member (1993- Present)
  • Foundation Board, Former Member, Saint Joseph Hospital

News & Publications

January 27, 2023
Maryland Bar Journal speaks with Paul Mark Sandler

The MSBA's Bar Journal recently interviewed Paul Mark Sandler about his career as a trial lawyer and author.

November 13, 2021
New book by Paul Mark Sandler: The Fine Art of Trial Advocacy

Released by ABA Publishing, ​The Fine Art of Trial Advocacy: A Young Lawyer's Resource for Success provides an accessible introduction to trial advocacy that is rich in historical examples, practical advice, and professional insights gleaned from the author's decades of experience in the courtroom.

August 17, 2020
How to navigate the use of remote video in nonjury trials

​Daily Record columnist Paul Mark Sandler turns his attention to the challenge of conducting nonjury trials via remote video during the pandemic.​ ​(Subscription required.)

August 01, 2019
Paul Mark Sandler on Witness Deposition Prep

An installment from Paul Mark Sandler's monthly column on trial advocacy for The Daily Record.

May 30, 2019
Paul Mark Sandler on Persuasion: Connecting with Your Listener

An installment from Paul Mark Sandler's monthly column on trial advocacy for The Daily Record:

May 29, 2019
Capone Sees His Day in Court

​Paul Mark Sandler's play "The Trial of Al Capone" was performed at Stevenson University on May 18​.

January 22, 2019
Paul Mark Sandler on Emotion in the Courtroom

An installment from Paul Mark Sandler's monthly column on trial advocacy for The Daily Record.

May 25, 2017
Appellate Decision Endorses MSBA Committee’s Recommendations

September 28, 2016
Paul Sandler Takes Part in Trial Training in Memphis​

Teaching of Trial and Appellate Advocacy Committee Chair Paul Sandler discusses Litigation Institute for Trial Training Program curriculum.

September 19, 2016
Paul Sandler Participates as a Trial Laywer in Supreme Court's Mock Trial

For a few hours on Monday, the nine-member U.S. Supreme Court morphed into a three-member panel reenacting one of its earlier cases in the same Philadelphia courtroom where it was first argued in 1794.

September 14, 2016
Litigation Group Wins Six-year Legal Battle for Renowned Maryland Restaurant

Chair of the Litigation Group Paul Sandler represented Oregon Grille in a legal win.

April 20, 2016
Paul Mark Sandler's New Client - Al Capone

February 22, 2016
The Art of Persuasion

February 19, 2016
Clarity of Expression - The Keystone of Successful Advocacy in Dispute Resolution

Read the full article "Clarity of Expression - The Keystone of Successful Advocacy in Dispute Resolution" by Paul Mark Sandler that first appeared in ABA's Litigation Magazine (Winter 2016).

January 04, 2016
Classical Rhetoric and the Modern Trial Lawyer