Lerch, Early & Brewer Managing Partner Ruth Katz has been named “Woman of the Year” by Meritas.

Meritas’ Woman of the Year award recognizes exceptional achievement, skill, leadership, and integrity, while inspiring future women leaders in the legal industry.

Lerch Early’s previous managing partner, Steve Robins, a principal in the Land Use practice, said Katz earned this distinction through years of leadership and honing her craft.

“Ruth is incredibly deserving of this honor,” Robins said. “She is an invaluable asset to our firm, and this award is a testament to the impact she’s made on our clients, our colleagues, and our community.”

Meritas, a premier global alliance of 174 independent business law firms throughout the world, presented the award at the 2026 Meritas Annual General Meeting in New Orleans.

The annual Meritas Women’s Leadership Awards, created by the Meritas Women’s Leadership Congress, reflect the network’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by recognizing and celebrating the leadership journeys of women lawyers across member firms. Award submissions were reviewed and winners selected by a global panel of peers and industry experts.

Katz is a community associations attorney who helps board members of condominiums, homeowners, and cooperatives associations govern effectively. She provides general counsel to and resolves disputes for boards and property management companies in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.