Honorees share spotlight at State Bar Annual Meeting

Intro: At its 2015 Annual Meeting at The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, the State Bar of Michigan hosted an awards banquet October 7, paying tribute "to our members who have achieved the highest honors in the areas of leadership, professional integrity, and community service," according to outgoing SBM President Tom Rombach Photos by Frank Weir (DSC_1524fix.jpeg) Outgoing State Bar President Tom Rombach presents Marilyn Mullane (center) with the Michigan State Bar Foundation Access to Justice Award. Also pictured is Margaret Nichols, president of the State Bar Foundation. (1537.jpeg) Ed Pappas, an attorney with Dickinson Wright and a past president of the State Bar, was the recipient of the Roberts P. Hudson Award, the highest honor conferred by the SBM, recognizing an individual for their "unselfish rendering of outstanding and unique service to and on behalf of the State Bar of Michigan, the legal profession, and the public." Pictured with Pappas is Lori Buiteweg, incoming president of the State Bar. (1540.jpeg) Timothy Baughman, an assistant prosecuting attorney in Wayne County, was the recipient of the Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award, which recognizes "extraordinary governmental service by a State Bar member." (1544.jpeg) Adam Shakor, former chief judge of the 36th District Court in Detroit and former deputy mayor of Detroit, also was honored with the Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award. He is pictured with State Bar President Lori Buiteweg. (1550.jpeg) Joseph Kimble, an emeritus writing professor at WMU Cooley Law School, was presented with the John W. Reed Lawyer Legacy Award, an honor emblematic of an "educator from a Michigan law school whose influence on lawyers has elevated the quality of legal practice in our state." (1554.jpeg) David W. Christensen, a shareholder with the litigation firm of Charfoos & Christensen, was among the recipients of the Champion of Justice Award from the State Bar. The award is presented to lawyers who have been members of the State Bar for at least 10 years; "who have demonstrated integrity and adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession; and who display superior professional competence and extraordinary professional accomplishment." (1557.jpeg) Stephanie Dawkins Davis, an assistant attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, also received the coveted Champion of Justice Award that was presented by SBM President Buiteweg. (1561.jpeg) Nora Hudson, an attorney in Detroit and founder of the Law Clinic of Michigan, was honored with the Champion of Justice Award at the Annual Meeting. (1564.jpeg) Executive Director of the Prevailing Community Development Corp. in Detroit, attorney Alicia Skillman also was a proud recipient of the Champion of Justice Award presented October 7. (1572.jpeg) Clark Hill attorney Paul Scheidemantel was presented with the 2015 John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award by the State Bar. The award recognizes a Michigan lawyer who has made a significant contribution delivering pro bono services to the needy. (1582.jpeg) Matthew Branding, a speech, government, and law teacher at Caro High School, was honored with the Liberty Bell Award. (1585.jpeg) The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Respected Advocate Award was presented to George Sinas, a personal injury attorney with the Sinas Dramis Law Firm in Lansing. (1590.jpeg) Robert F. Riley was presented with the Michigan Association of Justice Respected Advocate Award. An attorney with the Dearborn-based firm of Riley & Hurley, Riley specializes in civil litigation work. Published: Fri, Oct 16, 2015