The State Bar of Michigan's Representative Assembly will honor Judge Gene Schnelz with the 2000 Michael Franck Award at a reception to be held during the Bar's 65th Annual Meeting at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit.

Judge Schnelz, who was nominated by Center Line attorney and current Representative Assembly Chairperson Kimberly M. Cahill, served as parliamentarian for the Assembly's first 25 years of existence.

"He displayed outstanding devotion to the State Bar as well as to the Assembly, simply by virtue of the length of his service," Cahill said. "He was quick with his decisions, firm with his rulings, and fair to the utmost. He also had a wonderful way of defusing a tense situation with a quick quip or a quizzical expression."

Schnelz currently serves as judge of the Sixth Circuit Court in Pontiac and is a member of the first Family Court Division. He is also an adjunct professor at Madonna University and a lecturer for the Michigan Judicial Institute, the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and the National Judicial College. Before assuming his current position he served as chief judge of the 52nd District Court. He has also practiced law with offices in Walled Lake and has served as municipal judge for the city of Walled Lake.

During his career, Schnelz has served as president of the Oakland County Bar Association and president of the Oakland County Bar Association's Chapter-"American Inn of Court." He has served as a secretary and commissioner of the State Bar for 20 years, was the first judicial member of the Supreme Court Friend of the Court Advisory Board, and a member of the Supreme Court Committee on Remands and Mediation. He has also been a member and past chairperson of the Domestic Relations Committee of the Michigan Judges Association and served on three different State Bar Task Forces.

Schnelz received his B.A. from Alma College and his L.L.B. and J.D. from Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law. He is also a graduate of the National Judicial College.

The Michael Franck Award, named after former State Bar Executive Director Michael Franck, was first presented by the Assembly in 1998. It honors members of the State Bar who have made a significant contribution to the legal profession. Nominations for the Award may be made on an individual lifetime contribution or for a specific project. Last year's recipients were State Bar Past President George A. Googasian and former State Bar Commissioner Hon. Martin M. Doctoroff.