The State Bar of Michigan today announced the resignation of its Executive Director, D. Larkin Chenault. Chenault, who has served in the post since November of 1994, will return to Ohio, where he has accepted a position as Executive Director of the Cleveland Bar Association, beginning May 1.

Chenault had previously served as Executive Director of the Cincinnati Bar Association before coming to Michigan.

"I'm going to miss Michigan a great deal," Chenault said. "This is just a very exciting opportunity, not only for me professionally, but also for my wife's ministry, since Cleveland is one of the strongest areas in the country for the two denominations in which she has ministerial standing. Not only is this a chance to return to Ohio, it is also an opportunity to lead, in my view, the metropolitan bar with the most potential for growth in the country. We also won't have to live apart or travel as much as we do now. It's a great move for us all around."

The Board of Commissioners has authorized a national search to find a highly qualified replacement. On March 10, the Board of Commissioners appointed Danial J. Kim Interim Executive Director while the search is underway. Kim has served as Deputy Executive Director and has been with the State Bar of Michigan since September 1996. Kim's recent accomplishments include the design and development of the national award winning e-Journal. Before joining the State Bar, Kim was publisher of Michigan Lawyer's Weekly. He also practiced law in Detroit with Clark, Klein & Beaumont and is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. State Bar of Michigan President Alfred M. Butzbaugh said, "The many outstanding State Bar programs and the fine State Bar staff will continue to serve our members well."

The Board hopes to announce a permanent replacement by the State Bar's Annual Meeting this September.