Probate register honored with short story award

Oakland County Probate Register Jill Koney Daly's "Dorothy's Home" was selected as third place winner of the Michigan Bar Journal Short Story Contest. The contest held every two years since 2007, invited Michigan lawyers to submit short stories as entries in a writing contest with the best submissions published on-line and in the August 2011 print version of the Bar Journal. The contest recognizes work demonstrating excellence in originality and writing quality in the art of law-related short fiction.

The Michigan Bar Journal judging panel that included Rosemarie Aquilina, 30th Circuit Court judge; Elizabeth Baergen, a member of the State Bar Publications and Website Advisory Committee; Frederick Baker Jr., Supreme Court commissioner; Francine Cullari, former member of the State Bar Board of Commissioners and past president of the Genesee County Bar Association; and John Juroszek, reporter of decisions for the Michigan Supreme Court, selected Jill Koney Daly's short story--"Dorothy's Home"--from the 43 entries as one of three winning works. The piece stood out for its creativity, originality and writing quality in the art of law-related short fiction. Daly was awarded the "Plaza Dreams Overnight Package" at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. Other award winners include attorneys Eli D. Greenbaum and Todd B. Adams.

"Working as an attorney," said Daly, "and now probate register for the Oakland County Probate Court for 23 years, I have had the honor of being privy to many amazing stories from the cradle to the grave. 'Dorothy's Home' was inspired by one of those stories. It is gratifying to see my story resonates with the judging panel and our community."

"Dorothy's Home" is the story of a mother and daughter, whose relationship is conducted against the backdrop of a series of letters and the family who gives heartening recognition to the mother's life. The story follows the characters through life's changing moments and underscores the principle of moral responsibility.

Linda Novak, editor of the Michigan Bar Journal, says of Daly's story: "Jill's story was heartfelt and compelling and would likely resonate with parents--mothers in particular--and also with those of us with aging parents."

Daly has worked for the Oakland County Probate Court for 23 years, where she has been probate register since 2006. She is a graduate of Detroit College of Law and lives with her husband in Royal Oak.

Commenting on Daly's winning entry, Oakland County Probate Court Chief Judge Linda Hallmark said, "It is well known by those of us in the Probate Court that Jill Daly is a muti-talented person. We are very proud of her accomplishment and extend our congratulations on this fine story."

Published: Wed, Aug 17, 2011

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