By
Roberta M. Gubbins
Legal News
Members of the Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA), jurists, friends and family came together at the Crown Plaza Lansing West on the evening of November 13th to recognize and honor outstanding attorneys in the local legal community.
W. Josh Ard, ICBA President, opened the ceremony recognizing the many distinguished jurists, legislators and other community leaders attending the event.
Ard presented the past presidents plaque to Stacia J. Buchanan, thanking her for her year of service. Jessica Fox awarded the Distinguished Service Award to Norm Witte for his six years of service leading the Bankruptcy Law Section.
Ard introduced Richard A. Kerbawy who presented the Liberty Bell Award to the Resolution Services Center. The award recognizes outstanding service performed by a non-lawyer citizen who has given time and energy to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of justice. Kerbawy spoke of the services provided by the Center particularly the Restorative Justice program, which is a peaceful conflict resolution tool that brings together people who have had a conflict to find a way to heal the harm.
Linda Glover, Executive Director, and Greta McHaney-Trice, Manager Restorative Practices, accepted the award. “We thank you for recognition of our program and for allowing us to do this work,” said McHaney-Trice.
The Thomas E. Brennan Sr. Lifetime Achievement was presented to Webb (Tony) A. Smith.
The Award is given to lawyers who have made a significant and long standing contribution to the advancement or improvement of the justice system and the betterment of the legal profession in the State of Michigan and have also attained professional excellence as demonstrated by accomplishments in the law or service to the profession during his or her career.
Frank Reynolds presented the award to Smith speaking as a slide show of Smith’s life was presented on the screen. It began when he was a toddler and moved forward to the present day.
“Tony Smith has worked long and hard to make our profession better by promoting quality work and volunteerism,” said Reynolds calling him to the podium to receive his award.
“I want to thank Frank for nominating for this award,” said Smith. “I want to indicate how humbled and appreciative I am to receive this award.”
Catherine Jacobs presented the Theodore W. Swift Civility Award to Karl L. Gotting.
The Theodore W. Swift Civility Award is presented to a member of the Ingham County Bar Association who has distinguished himself or herself by manifesting civility in his or her relations with the Bench, Bar, clients, and the public. The award recognizes skill and success in practicing one's profession while at the same time exhibiting that civility and collegiality may co-exist and contribute to overall and long-term success.
“Civility is a hot topic these days,” said Gotting accepting and thanking the ICBA for the award. “Mainly because of its conspicuous in our lives, political debate and commentary and for you sports’ fans, the National Football League.”
What has been lost, noted Gotting, is the practice of claiming and voicing one’s own belief’s without degrading someone else’s in the process.
Liisa Speaker presented the Camille S. Abood Distinguished Volunteer Award to Jeffrey C. Hicks.
Speaker commented on the service Hicks gives to the legal community “teaching us about real estate” as well as contributing to both the local and national communities.
“Every time he was involved with a committee with a smaller project he was then given a bigger role due to his leadership,” she said. Hick’s accepted the award thanking those who support him in his efforts to give back to the community.
The Camille S. Abood Distinguished Volunteer Award is presented to a member of the Ingham County Bar Association who has distinguished himself or herself by making voluntary contributions of time and talent for the benefit of others.
David E. S. Marvin received the Leo A. Farhat award.
Michael E. Cavanaugh presented the award. “This year’s recipient of the Leo Farhat award, David E. S. Marvin, personifies” all the characteristics of the award. Marvin has successfully represented clients at all levels of court, both state and federal while serving “the Ingham County Bar Association and the community.”
“It is a great honor to me to receive the Leo A. Farhat award,” said Marvin, accepting the award.
The Leo A. Farhat Outstanding Attorney Award is presented to a member of the Ingham County Bar Association who manifests exemplary character, integrity, judgment and legal scholarship while adhering to and advancing the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession.
The last award, Legal Services of South Central Michigan Pro Bono Award, was presented by Kellie A. Maki, Managing Attorney of the organization to Amy H. Bailey.
“The award was created,” said Maki, “to recognize the importance of pro bono work in our community and the good work that is currently being done.”
Bailey was recognized for her contribution to the pro bono work, having handled 17 pro bono cases in the past year, which “represents the largest single volume of cases taken by a private attorney.”
Bailey thanked Legal Services of South Central Michigan and the Ingham County Bar Association for the honor.
Sponsors for the event included Alane & Chartier, PLC, Church Wyble, PC, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC., Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, PC, Johnson Law PLC, KI Technology Group, Loomis Ewert Parsley Davis & Gotting, PC., Maurice E. Schoenberger, PC, Sinas Dramis Brake Boughton & McKintyre, PC, Speaker Law Firm, PLLC, Willingham & Coté, PC.
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