- Posted October 15, 2012
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Nominations sought for Daniel J. Wright Award
Recognizing outstanding work for Michigan's children is the goal of the Daniel J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominations are now open for this joint award of the Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Department of Human Services.
The award was established in honor of the late Daniel J. Wright of Grand Ledge, an attorney and longtime leader in child support and child welfare reform. He was credited with the "Michigan Miracle" in 2002 when, as special assistant to then-Chief Justice Maura D. Corrigan, he led the state's efforts to upgrade Michigan's child support enforcement system by federally mandated deadlines. By meeting the deadlines, Wright saved the state $142 million in federal fines and earned the state a $36 million refund for fines it had already paid.
Later, as director of the Friend of the Court Bureau and Child Welfare Services divisions of the State Court Administrative Office, Wright helped create the state's "Adoption Forums" to deal with adoption barriers that were stranding children in foster care. He worked on legislation to give foster children a greater voice in decisions about their lives; among other things, the law now requires courts to consult the child's wishes when holding a hearing about placing the child in a permanent home.
Nominations are open to attorneys, judges, caseworkers, court employees, employees of public and private agencies, employees and members of non-profits, and others who have a significant record of helping Michigan families and children. To be eligible, a nominee must have 10 years or more experience in his or her field and must have a record of achievements with demonstrable impact.
To nominate a candidate for the Wright Award, completed nominations forms must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 26. The Wright Award recipient will be honored at the 2012 Michigan Adoption Day event at the Michigan Hall of Justice on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
For a nomination form, visit http://courts.mi.gov. Anyone with questions may contact Marcia McBrien at mcbrienm@courts.mi.gov.
Published: Mon, Oct 15, 2012
headlines Oakland County
- Annual Meeting
- Oakland County clerk/register brings services to Highland Township and surrounding areas with June 4 local office visit
- Whitmer announces Wayne, Oakland, Macomb commit to expand Project DIAMOnD, calls for statewide expansion of “infrastructure for innovation”
- Oakland County completes work for first RainSmart resident
- SUPREME COURT NOTEBOOK
headlines National
- This Los Angeles lawyer found her calling as a death doula
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- Artificial intelligence tools for brief writing and analysis are a small firm litigator’s new best friend
- Baker McKenzie partner drops suit seeking IRS documents on partnership scrutiny
- Family members sue networks after learning of loved ones’ deaths by seeing bodies on TV
- Ex-BigLaw attorney once ‘consumed with remorse’ over $10M client theft sentenced in new scheme