Attorney Lori Smith (second from right) was recently presented with WMU-Cooley Law School’s Integrity Award. Among those on hand at the school’s Auburn Hills campus to congratulate Smith were (left to right) WMU-Cooley Assistant Dean Lisa Halushka, Prof. Erica Breitfeld and WMU-Cooley Associate Dean Joan Vestrand. Smith spoke at the school’s Integrity in Our Communities speaker series, which offers students, staff and faculty an opportunity to hear legal professionals share experiences on ethics, service, or professionalism.
– Photo by John Meiu
Attorney Lori K. Smith, treasurer of the Macomb County Bar Association and a former president of the Macomb County Bar Foundation, recently was presented with WMU-Cooley Law School’s Integrity Award.
Smith, who practices family law at Lippitt O’Keefe Gornbein, was the featured speaker during the law school’s Integrity in Our Communities speaker series earlier this month.
During her presentation, Smith spoke about the importance of integrity while practicing law.
Quoting an article written by attorney Gary Ross, she explained that attorneys only need three things to be successful — “your law degree, your bar license and your integrity.”
Smith also shared various examples of when she faced ethical issues as an attorney and how she handled those difficult situations.
“There are times where I have questioned how to handle a particular situation because as a lawyer it can be difficult to balance the duties owed to your client
against the ethical rules,” said Smith. “I can tell you that in those instances where things fall into the gray area — that the State Bar of Michigan Ethics hotline is an invaluable asset.”
The WMU-Cooley Law School Integrity Award is presented each term to a member of the community who demonstrates a high level of integrity and has a positive influence on the legal profession.
Smith is a member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and throughout her career has litigated domestic relations matters in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Lapeer, St. Clair, Monroe, Washtenaw, and Genesee counties.
Aside from her involvement with the Macomb County Bar organizations, Smith actively serves on the advisory board for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Jefferson House and is treasurer for the Friends of the Macomb County Veteran’s Treatment Court.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
