On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Wayne State University Law School honored four distinguished members of its community at the 2026 Alumni Wall of Fame induction ceremony, recognizing individuals whose careers, leadership and service have left an enduring impact on the legal profession and the Law School.
This year’s inductees are:
• Megan Bonanni (J.D. ’93)
• John J. Grant (J.D. ’79)
• Cornelius Pitts (J.D. ’64)
• Professor Alan Schenk
The Wayne Law Alumni Wall of Fame is the highest honor presented by the Law School. Established in 2016 through the generosity of alumnus E. Powell Miller (J.D. ’86) in honor of the Miller family, the award recognizes alumni, former faculty and former staff whose extraordinary professional accomplishments, lasting contributions to society, profound influence on Wayne Law, and exceptional character and integrity have earned the respect of their peers.
—————
Megan Bonanni (J.D. ’93) is a nationally respected civil rights and plaintiff employment attorney whose career has centered on advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, workplace discrimination and institutional misconduct. As a partner at Pitt McGehee Palmer Bonanni & Rivers, she has helped secure landmark settlements in cases involving Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan and survivors of former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar. Her work has not only achieved justice for thousands of survivors but has also driven meaningful institutional reform and increased accountability in education, athletics and other public institutions. Beyond the courtroom, Bonanni has been a vocal advocate for legislative changes that strengthen protections for survivors and has mentored the next generation of civil rights attorneys through her leadership in professional organizations. She is being recognized for her unwavering commitment to justice, her national leadership in civil rights litigation and her lasting impact on both the legal profession and society.
—————
John J. Grant (J.D. ’79) built a distinguished 35-year career at Deloitte, where he became one of the nation’s leading authorities on partnership taxation, real estate transactions and complex business tax strategy. Throughout his career, he advised multinational corporations on sophisticated domestic and international tax matters while serving in numerous leadership roles within the firm, including on Deloitte’s U.S. Board of Directors. Despite his professional accomplishments, Grant has remained deeply committed to Wayne Law, recruiting graduates, serving as an adjunct professor and mentoring countless students entering the tax profession. Most notably, he spearheaded the campaign to establish the Alan S. Schenk Endowed Chair in Taxation, raising $1.5 million to ensure the continued strength of Wayne Law’s nationally respected tax program. He is being inducted for his extraordinary professional success, sustained dedication to legal education and enduring investment in the future of Wayne Law.
—————
Cornelius Pitts (J.D. ’64) has dedicated more than six decades to the practice of criminal defense, earning a reputation as one of Michigan’s most accomplished and respected trial attorneys. Since the 1970s, he has represented clients in many of the state’s most significant criminal cases, becoming widely known as a trusted advocate when liberty and justice were at stake. His excellence in the courtroom earned him national recognition, including being named one of the nation’s top litigators by The National Law Journal and repeated selection to The Best Lawyers in America. Throughout his career, Pitts has also devoted himself to mentoring young attorneys, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in private practice and on the state and federal bench. He is being honored for his remarkable legal career, unwavering commitment to excellence and profound influence on generations of lawyers throughout Michigan.
—————
Professor Alan Schenk has spent more than five decades shaping Wayne State University Law School as an internationally recognized scholar, teacher and mentor in the field of tax law. Considered one of the world’s foremost experts on value-added taxation (VAT), Schenk has advised governments, testified before Congress and worked with organizations including the International Monetary Fund to develop tax policy across Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. His scholarship—including multiple books and numerous influential publications—has helped define modern understanding of consumption-based taxation around the world. At Wayne Law, he has inspired generations of students through his teaching, earning numerous teaching awards, the university’s President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, designation as a Distinguished Professor and induction into the Wayne State Academy of Scholars. His contributions also include documenting the institution’s legacy through his 2022 history of Wayne State University Law School. He is being recognized for a lifetime of scholarship, teaching and service that has elevated Wayne Law’s reputation on both the national and international stage.
The Alumni Wall of Fame celebrates individuals who have reached the pinnacle of their profession while exemplifying the values of Wayne State University Law School through leadership, service and integrity.
The induction ceremony brings together alumni, faculty, students, members of the legal community and supporters to celebrate the achievements of this year’s honorees. Registration for this year’s event will be available online in late August.
Nominations for the 2027 Wayne Law Alumni Wall of Fame are now being accepted through Nov. 1, 2026. Alumni remain eligible for consideration in future years once nominated. Additional information about the nomination process and selection criteria is available at law.wayne.edu/alumni/wall-of-fame.
This year’s inductees are:
• Megan Bonanni (J.D. ’93)
• John J. Grant (J.D. ’79)
• Cornelius Pitts (J.D. ’64)
• Professor Alan Schenk
The Wayne Law Alumni Wall of Fame is the highest honor presented by the Law School. Established in 2016 through the generosity of alumnus E. Powell Miller (J.D. ’86) in honor of the Miller family, the award recognizes alumni, former faculty and former staff whose extraordinary professional accomplishments, lasting contributions to society, profound influence on Wayne Law, and exceptional character and integrity have earned the respect of their peers.
—————
Megan Bonanni (J.D. ’93) is a nationally respected civil rights and plaintiff employment attorney whose career has centered on advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, workplace discrimination and institutional misconduct. As a partner at Pitt McGehee Palmer Bonanni & Rivers, she has helped secure landmark settlements in cases involving Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan and survivors of former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar. Her work has not only achieved justice for thousands of survivors but has also driven meaningful institutional reform and increased accountability in education, athletics and other public institutions. Beyond the courtroom, Bonanni has been a vocal advocate for legislative changes that strengthen protections for survivors and has mentored the next generation of civil rights attorneys through her leadership in professional organizations. She is being recognized for her unwavering commitment to justice, her national leadership in civil rights litigation and her lasting impact on both the legal profession and society.
—————
John J. Grant (J.D. ’79) built a distinguished 35-year career at Deloitte, where he became one of the nation’s leading authorities on partnership taxation, real estate transactions and complex business tax strategy. Throughout his career, he advised multinational corporations on sophisticated domestic and international tax matters while serving in numerous leadership roles within the firm, including on Deloitte’s U.S. Board of Directors. Despite his professional accomplishments, Grant has remained deeply committed to Wayne Law, recruiting graduates, serving as an adjunct professor and mentoring countless students entering the tax profession. Most notably, he spearheaded the campaign to establish the Alan S. Schenk Endowed Chair in Taxation, raising $1.5 million to ensure the continued strength of Wayne Law’s nationally respected tax program. He is being inducted for his extraordinary professional success, sustained dedication to legal education and enduring investment in the future of Wayne Law.
—————
Cornelius Pitts (J.D. ’64) has dedicated more than six decades to the practice of criminal defense, earning a reputation as one of Michigan’s most accomplished and respected trial attorneys. Since the 1970s, he has represented clients in many of the state’s most significant criminal cases, becoming widely known as a trusted advocate when liberty and justice were at stake. His excellence in the courtroom earned him national recognition, including being named one of the nation’s top litigators by The National Law Journal and repeated selection to The Best Lawyers in America. Throughout his career, Pitts has also devoted himself to mentoring young attorneys, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in private practice and on the state and federal bench. He is being honored for his remarkable legal career, unwavering commitment to excellence and profound influence on generations of lawyers throughout Michigan.
—————
Professor Alan Schenk has spent more than five decades shaping Wayne State University Law School as an internationally recognized scholar, teacher and mentor in the field of tax law. Considered one of the world’s foremost experts on value-added taxation (VAT), Schenk has advised governments, testified before Congress and worked with organizations including the International Monetary Fund to develop tax policy across Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. His scholarship—including multiple books and numerous influential publications—has helped define modern understanding of consumption-based taxation around the world. At Wayne Law, he has inspired generations of students through his teaching, earning numerous teaching awards, the university’s President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, designation as a Distinguished Professor and induction into the Wayne State Academy of Scholars. His contributions also include documenting the institution’s legacy through his 2022 history of Wayne State University Law School. He is being recognized for a lifetime of scholarship, teaching and service that has elevated Wayne Law’s reputation on both the national and international stage.
The Alumni Wall of Fame celebrates individuals who have reached the pinnacle of their profession while exemplifying the values of Wayne State University Law School through leadership, service and integrity.
The induction ceremony brings together alumni, faculty, students, members of the legal community and supporters to celebrate the achievements of this year’s honorees. Registration for this year’s event will be available online in late August.
Nominations for the 2027 Wayne Law Alumni Wall of Fame are now being accepted through Nov. 1, 2026. Alumni remain eligible for consideration in future years once nominated. Additional information about the nomination process and selection criteria is available at law.wayne.edu/alumni/wall-of-fame.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
