By Roberta M. Gubbins
Legal News
The Liederkranz German American club was once again the place to be on the evening of the May 23rd for the 69th Ingham County Bar Association Annual Shrimp Dinner. Over 200 lawyers, judges and friends gathered to meet, greet and peal and eat the shrimp freshly cooked and served by the volunteers.
The Shrimp Dinner has a long and quirky history. It began in the 1940's, reportedly by bail bondsmen to thank lawyers for their business. If this is true, somewhere along the line, bail bondsmen felt that the benefit of feeding a bunch of hungry lawyers wasn't worth the cost - but the lawyers enjoyed it so much they picked up the tab themselves.
Attorney Mike Spaniolo is believed to have been the first chair of the shrimp dinner committee. He owned a beer distributorship and provided all the cooking equipment. In 1975 or 1976, chair Pete Treleaven turned the chairmanship over to Phil Vilella. Vilella has remained the chair since then and, as part of his duties, keeps the secret of the shrimp sauce locked away for safekeeping.
Vilella is stepping down this year, handing his duties and the recipe over to a new chairperson as yet to be named. He was recognized for his service with a standing ovation and a plaque.
“Phil has been handling the Shrimp Dinner on behalf of the Association for more than 30 years. Phil has provided leadership,” said Scott Mandel, ICBA President. “He is described by one of his cohorts, Frank Reynolds as the ‘heart and soul’ of the Shrimp Dinner. Phil has led by example, not only organizing but also providing the sweat equity.”
Mandel also recognized Christine Perry, Judge Hugh Clark, Judge Bill Colette, Joanne Adam, Jim White, Kerry Cole, Pam Trip, George Campbell, Tom Kulik, Kim Eddie, and Frank Reynolds, long time volunteers that have helped Phil for more than 30 years.
Mandel announced the results of the annual election. Liisa Speaker, Lisa Babcock, Jason Hanselman and Jim Dalton who will be Sergeant at Arms were elected to three-year terms on the Board. Elected to two year terms on the Young Lawyers Section Board were Pete Brown, Leah J. Brooks, Lindsay Dangl, and Denise Hairston. Mike Hill and Steve Feigleson were elected to serve one year.
Sponsors for the event were Baird and Zulakis, P. C., Committee Elect Thomas P. Clement District Judge and The Nichols law firm. Also recognized were the law firms, that support the bar association with 100% membership. They are Bernick, Radner & Ouellette, PC, Dickinson Wright, Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes, PLC, Farhat & Story, PC, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, Knaggs, Harter, Brake & Schneider, PC, Oade Stroud & Kleiman, PC, Sinas, Dramis, Brake, Boughton & McIntyre,PC, The Gallagher Law Firm, PLC, and Willingham Coté, PC.
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