State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling proudly announces that Assistant State’s Attorney Zachary Varda was selected as the 2025 Victoria F. Gelfman Legal Excellence Award winner. The award is named after Victoria “Vickie” Gelfman, 31, a passionate and deeply respected Howard County prosecutor who served from 2010-2014, until her tragic passing after her brave battle with leukemia.
The Gelfman Award is presented annually at the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association’s Summer Conference to a rising star prosecutor who embodies the highest standards of public service, legal integrity, and commitment to the community.
ASA Zachary Varda was sworn in as a prosecutor with the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office in January 2023. Currently, ASA Varda is a part of the Special Victims Unit prosecuting mostly domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and animal cruelty cases. “Zachary brings both integrity and humility to every decision he makes,” said State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling. “His relentless preparation and excellent courtroom presentations highlight his deep legal knowledge and commitment to justice.”
In addition to his trial work, ASA Varda has demonstrated a sincere dedication to serving the community as he regularly volunteers at community events and actively participates in multidisciplinary teams focused on domestic violence and sexual assault response. “Zachary gives freely of his time and energy to advance justice, support the criminal justice field, and improve our community,” added Sterling. “He lives the values of this award, and I believe he is precisely the kind of public servant Vickie would have been proud to stand beside.”
The St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office congratulates ASA Zachary Varda on this tremendous honor and expresses its gratitude to the Gelfman family in addition to the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association for continuing to uphold the legacy of excellence and compassion that Vickie represented. Vickie left a lasting impact in the field of prosecution, and this award created in memory of her exemplifies prosecutors who serve with passion and dedication to public service, the legal profession, and the community.
