Serving alongside Bryant (second from right) for the 2026-2027 Bar year are (left to right) Secretary Aaron V. Burrell of Dickinson Wright PLLC, President-Elect Thomas H. Howlett of The Googasian Firm PC, Treasurer Suzanne C. Larsen of the City of Marquette, and Vice President David C. Anderson of Collins Einhorn Farrell PC.
The State Bar of Michigan hosted its Presidential Inauguration & Awards Luncheon last month at the Detroit Marriott Troy. During the luncheon, out-going State Bar of Michigan President Lisa J. Hamameh (left) passed the gavel to Erika L. Bryant (right) who took the oath of office as the organization’s 92nd president. Bryant, of Butler David PLLC, is the second Black woman to hold the State Bar’s highest office.
Erika A. Bryant, a solo practitioner with Butler David PLLC in Detroit, recently took over as president of the State Bar of Michigan last month, becoming the second Black woman to hold the organization’s top spot.
Bryant was sworn into office by Supreme Court Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh during the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon at the Detroit Marriott Troy last month.
Bryant’s rise to the presidency also marks the first time in State Bar history that two women have served as back-to-back presidents.
“As your president, I promise to lead by example, to do all I can in every way I can to leave this remarkable bar stronger and better able to serve than I found it, and I ask you to join me,” she said in her acceptance speech.
Serving alongside her for the 2026-2027 Bar year are President-Elect Thomas H. Howlett, Vice President David C. Anderson, Treasurer Suzanne C. Larsen and Secretary Aaron V. Burrell.
Bryant noted that her tenure will be committed to getting the Bar back to basics.
She reminded attendees of the words of Roberts P. Hudson, the very first president of the State Bar: “No organization of lawyers can long survive which has not for its primary object the protection of the public.”
The State Bar of Michigan serves more than 46,000 Michigan attorneys. Its mission is to promote the professionalism of lawyers; advocate for an open, fair, and accessible justice system; and provide services to members to help them best serve clients.
In her law practice, Bryant represents nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and individuals in litigation and transaction matters. She also serves as a commercial arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.
As part of her service on the Board of Commissioners, Bryant has chaired the committees responsible for Public Policy, Strategic Planning and Engagement, Finance and Audit, and Professional Responsibility.
In addition, she is a past president of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association and has served in several leadership roles with the National Bar Association.
She has also provided statewide leadership on the Michigan Supreme Court’s Commission on Fairness and Public Trust in the Michigan Judiciary.
Bryant earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science and Black studies from Amherst College and her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School.
At last month’s luncheon in Detroit, the organization also recognized eight individuals, one bar association and one community organization for exceptional dedication to the legal profession and commitment to ensuring justice for all.
The honorees were:
• Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award: Hon. David Murkowski and Hon. Christopher P. Yates
• Champion of Justice Award: Dorothy Dean and David M. Honigman
• John W. Reed Lawyer Legacy Award: Leonard Niehoff
• John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award: Russell Abrutyn
• Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award: Dennis Clark, Jerjuan A. Howard, and the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
• Liberty Bell Award: Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
Meanwhile, Alena M. Clark-Sullivan was sworn in to serve as chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Representative Assembly.
Clark-Sullivan is an assistant attorney general in the Public Service Division and represents the Michigan Public Service Commission, a position she has held that position since 2023.
She is also an instructor for the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, which teaches courses on domestic violence investigation to police officers.
In addition, Clark-Sullivan is a current member of the American Indian Law Committee and is on the board of directors for the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society. She is also a past president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.
The Representative Assembly presented the following awards to three attorneys during its meeting to recognize their commitment and service to the legal profession:
• Michael Franck Award: James L. Liggins, Jr.
• Unsung Hero Award: Samuel H. Pietsch and Rita O. White
Bryant was sworn into office by Supreme Court Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh during the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon at the Detroit Marriott Troy last month.
Bryant’s rise to the presidency also marks the first time in State Bar history that two women have served as back-to-back presidents.
“As your president, I promise to lead by example, to do all I can in every way I can to leave this remarkable bar stronger and better able to serve than I found it, and I ask you to join me,” she said in her acceptance speech.
Serving alongside her for the 2026-2027 Bar year are President-Elect Thomas H. Howlett, Vice President David C. Anderson, Treasurer Suzanne C. Larsen and Secretary Aaron V. Burrell.
Bryant noted that her tenure will be committed to getting the Bar back to basics.
She reminded attendees of the words of Roberts P. Hudson, the very first president of the State Bar: “No organization of lawyers can long survive which has not for its primary object the protection of the public.”
The State Bar of Michigan serves more than 46,000 Michigan attorneys. Its mission is to promote the professionalism of lawyers; advocate for an open, fair, and accessible justice system; and provide services to members to help them best serve clients.
In her law practice, Bryant represents nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and individuals in litigation and transaction matters. She also serves as a commercial arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.
As part of her service on the Board of Commissioners, Bryant has chaired the committees responsible for Public Policy, Strategic Planning and Engagement, Finance and Audit, and Professional Responsibility.
In addition, she is a past president of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association and has served in several leadership roles with the National Bar Association.
She has also provided statewide leadership on the Michigan Supreme Court’s Commission on Fairness and Public Trust in the Michigan Judiciary.
Bryant earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science and Black studies from Amherst College and her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School.
At last month’s luncheon in Detroit, the organization also recognized eight individuals, one bar association and one community organization for exceptional dedication to the legal profession and commitment to ensuring justice for all.
The honorees were:
• Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award: Hon. David Murkowski and Hon. Christopher P. Yates
• Champion of Justice Award: Dorothy Dean and David M. Honigman
• John W. Reed Lawyer Legacy Award: Leonard Niehoff
• John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award: Russell Abrutyn
• Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award: Dennis Clark, Jerjuan A. Howard, and the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
• Liberty Bell Award: Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
Meanwhile, Alena M. Clark-Sullivan was sworn in to serve as chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Representative Assembly.
Clark-Sullivan is an assistant attorney general in the Public Service Division and represents the Michigan Public Service Commission, a position she has held that position since 2023.
She is also an instructor for the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, which teaches courses on domestic violence investigation to police officers.
In addition, Clark-Sullivan is a current member of the American Indian Law Committee and is on the board of directors for the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society. She is also a past president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.
The Representative Assembly presented the following awards to three attorneys during its meeting to recognize their commitment and service to the legal profession:
• Michael Franck Award: James L. Liggins, Jr.
• Unsung Hero Award: Samuel H. Pietsch and Rita O. White
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