The State Bar of Michigan will honor Joel D. Kellman with the 2000 John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award for his outstanding commitment to pro bono work. The Award will be presented during the Thursday, September 21 luncheon of the Bar's 65th Annual Meeting at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

Part of the award includes a check for $2,000, which Kellman will donate to the Legal Aid and Defender Association of Detroit and Community Legal Resources of Detroit.

"The goals of equal access to justice and of providing equal opportunity to every person to benefit from the vast resources of this country are goals of a pro bono practice," Kellman said. "As lawyers we learn these principles and we have the opportunity-and I believe an obligation-to provide our professional skills to individuals and community groups to achieve these ends."

Kellman is a partner at the law firm of Dykema Gossett in Detroit where he practices in the areas of general real estate law, commercial and construction lending, leasing, and community redevelopment. He has contributed hundreds of hours of pro bono work to community development corporations in Detroit. For well over 10 years, Kellman has worked with Warren/Conner Development Coalition, a nonprofit community development coalition, helping to revamp one of Detroit's most distressed, blighted, and low-income communities. He has also been an instrumental part of the Community Legal Resources program at Michigan Legal Services where he has taken on several pro bono matters personally and has encouraged his law firm to participate and devote time to the program's growth.

Kellman has provided corporate advice, drafted purchase agreements, and negotiated a joint venture for the Southwest Detroit Business Association and has provided legal advice regarding title matters to the Nortown Community Development Corporation. He has worked with an associate at Dykema Gossett on behalf of the All Saints Neighborhood Center and has provided business law advice to the Hunger Action Coalition's urban agricultural activities.

Kellman, who serves on the Board of Directors for the Legal Aid and Defender Association of Detroit, has also served as the Association's president since January 1999 and as vice-president for two years. He is a former member of the North Central Community Mental Health Board, and the Traveler's Aid Society of Detroit. He also serves on the Board of the Jewish Association for Residential Care.

Kellman received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1967 and his undergraduate degree from Kenyon College in 1964. He began his career in 1968 with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and served as an attorney in the Civil Division for the Legal Aid and Defender's Association from 1971 to 1973.

Steven H. Tobocman of Michigan Legal Services nominated Kellman.