Meet the Team
Justin Wallace
Principal Attorney
A graduate of the University of Tennessee and earned his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. During that time, he was a member of the Maryland National Trial Team and received the Outstanding Advocate Award for his courtroom skills.
After graduating, Justin began his career at a large insurance defense firm, where he gained valuable insight into how insurance companies evaluate and defend claims. He now uses that experience to advocate for individuals who have been injured, fighting to secure the compensation they deserve.
Justin has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” in the Maryland legal community for seven consecutive years, including most recently in 2026. He represents clients in courtrooms across Maryland and has secured numerous six- and seven-figure verdicts and settlements.
An active leader in the legal community, Justin serves on the Board of Governors for the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ), is a Foundation Board Member, and co-chairs Trial Reporter, MAJ’s flagship quarterly publication. He has also been invited to speak on panels for the University of Maryland and the Bar Association of Baltimore City.
Outside of his practice, Justin enjoys golfing, spending time with his wife and daughter, and walking the family dog.
A seasoned trial attorney with more than four decades of experience in criminal defense and personal injury litigation. A partner at Bader & Cooper since 1994, Mr. Cooper has built a distinguished career advocating for clients throughout Maryland, earning a reputation for his dedication, courtroom skill, and commitment to justice.
Mr. Cooper received his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1982, where he was honored with the American Jurisprudence Award in Constitutional Law and graduated with honors from Washington College in 1978 with a B.A.
Following his admission to the Maryland State Bar in 1982, Mr. Cooper served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph I. Pines of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. He then spent seven years as an Assistant Public Defender in Baltimore City, where he gained extensive trial experience across the Juvenile, Misdemeanor, and Felony Divisions. He later joined the Law Offices of Jack B. Rubin, where he handled a broad range of civil litigation matters, including workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, while also maintaining an active criminal defense practice.
Mr. Cooper is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, Baltimore City Bar Association, Baltimore County Bar Association, Maryland Criminal Defense Association, and the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association. His professional contributions extend well beyond his practice, as he has held numerous leadership and service roles within the legal community.
He has served on the Maryland State Bar Association’s Lawyer’s Assistance Committee since 2002 and has been deeply involved with the Baltimore City Bar Association since 2004, contributing to its Judicial Administration, Judicial Selections, Criminal Law, and Partnership in Education Committees. Mr. Cooper is also a long-standing mediator for the Baltimore City Circuit Court’s Civil Mediation Program.
Throughout his career, Mr. Cooper has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentorship and community engagement, participating in Teen Court and Law Links programs for nearly 30 years in addition to serving as an officer on the Board of Directors for Quarter Way Houses, Inc. (Tuerk House) for almost a decade and has been recognized as a Champion for Life by the American Red Cross.
Mr. Cooper’s career reflects a steadfast dedication to both his clients and the broader legal community, marked by professionalism, service, and a deep commitment to the rule of law. He resides in Baltimore County with his wife Carol and their golden doodle and loves telling stories to his granddaughter.
Andy Cooper
Attorney
Sarah Marsala-Werneke
Director of Marketing
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Sarah developed an early passion for the legal field while competing on her high school mock trial team, where she helped lead her team to a state championship her senior year. She went on to graduate with honors from Susquehanna University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting and Public Relations, and was later accepted into the prestigious MBA program at Johns Hopkins University’s Carey School of Business.
Sarah began her career in media, working for a Sinclair Broadcasting affiliate before transitioning into a corporate marketing role with local defense contractor, Textron Systems. Over the course of nearly a decade, she managed advertising, sponsorships, and brand strategy for advanced defense technologies, including unmanned aircraft vehicles, amphibious and land systems, and other specialized equipment marketed to domestic and international militaries.
After taking time to focus on her young family, she continued her professional work in a part-time agency role before launching her own social media and marketing consulting business. In early 2024, she brought her extensive creative marketing and communications experience to the Law Office of Justin A. Wallace, where she continues to support the firm’s growth, community involvement and client engagement. Sarah specializes in litigation support with a particular focus on developing compelling presentations that enhance case strategy and effectively communicate complex information.
Outside of her professional life, she enjoys sharing her Italian heritage through cooking, planning events with friends, and traveling. Most often, however, she can be found on the lacrosse field proudly -and loudly- cheering on her two daughters.
A dedicated paralegal specializing in personal injury and workers’ compensation law. Born and raised in Baltimore, she was brought up in a close-knit Catholic Hispanic household that instilled in her strong values of hard work, compassion, and service to others.
Nancy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from Stevenson University in 2024. She is also a commissioned Notary Public and is fluent in both Spanish and English, allowing her to effectively assist a diverse range of clients with clarity and care.
In addition to her PI and WC work, Nancy is incredibly knowledgeable with handling liens, insurance liability matters and demand reductions. Her comprehensive understanding of the law and attention to detail enable her to support clients through complex legal and financial aspects of their cases.
Outside of her professional life, Nancy enjoys being a devoted mom and spending quality time with her husband and two children. She especially loves cooking with her Salvadoreño familia and creating meaningful moments at home.
Nancy Portillo
Paralegal
Editorial Leadership & Legal Scholarship
Attorney Wallace serves as a contributing writer and editorial board member for Trial Reporter, the Maryland Association for Justice’s premier quarterly publication. In this role, he helps shape content that informs and empowers trial attorneys across the state. His most recent article, co-authored with attorney Lindsey McCulley, titled Navigating Verdicts Above Policy Limits, appears in the Spring 2025 issue and offers practical insights for attorneys facing complex post-verdict scenarios.
For the full article, click here.
Community Involvement
At the firm, giving back is a core part of our values. While our charitable contributions vary throughout the year, we are proud to maintain an ongoing partnership with Operation Paws for Homes, a dedicated organization committed to rescuing and rehoming dogs across the mid-Atlantic. In spring 2025, we were honored to sponsor two major events Woofstock 2025 and The Fast and the Furriest 5K, the organization’s second-largest annual fundraiser. As part of our support, we provided custom organic dog treats for more than 2,200 participants, reinforcing our commitment to both animal welfare and community engagement.
