Walter E. Laake, Jr. of Hyattsville, Maryland, peacefully transitioned on February 7, 2023.  A graduate of Archbishop John Carroll High School (1961), University of Maryland College Park (BA, 1965), and University of Maryland School of Law (JD, 1970), Walter practiced law with the same group of attorneys he considered good friends, from 1971 until retiring in 2019.  He was the Managing Partner at Joseph Greenwald & Laake, PA for 27 years, growing the firm from five to 35 attorneys.  Walter led a life of service as a preeminent personal injury attorney.  He established landmark legal precedents, winning substantial verdicts for countless individuals who suffered serious injuries. He volunteered with the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice and Trial Lawyers Care, offering pro bono services to victims of 9-11.

Walter was a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation. He served as President of the Prince Georges County Bar Association, and President of the Maryland Association of Justice. Walter was a lifelong Terps fan, who thoroughly enjoyed live music, sporting events, global travel, movie classics and organizing reunions.

Walter is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Sandra Laake, their children; Dana Thomas,  Kimberly Benson and Kevin Laake;  his sons-in-law, Brendan Murray and Justus Benson; daughter-in-law, Sarah J. Laake; six grandchildren, Rasta Thomas, Caleb, Isaac and Nathan Benson, Katherine and Leah Laake; and his brothers Stuart H. Laake and Peter W. Laake. During the past three years, Walter experienced a precipitous decline in health.  We are blessed he did not suffer and was surrounded by those who loved and cared for him.

Visitation:  Mon., 13 Feb 2:00 – 4:00 PM at Francis Collins Funeral Home in Silver Spring, MD

Mass of Christian Burial:  Tues., 14 Feb 10:00 – 11:00 AM at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Hyattsville, MD

Internment at Gate of Heaven following Mass (family only).