Grand Rapids attorney Bruce W. Neckers was sworn in as the 67th president of the State Bar of Michigan on Friday, September 14, 2001 during the Bar's Annual meeting in downtown Lansing. The Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, Maura Corrigan presided.

Neckers will serve as president of the 34,000-member organization for the 2001-2002 Bar year. He succeeds Immediate Past President Thomas J. Ryan of Sylvan Lake.

Neckers is a trial attorney with the Grand Rapids firm of Rhoades, McKee, Boer, Goodrich and Titta. His practice is limited to civil litigation and he also serves as a facilitative mediator.

Neckers was president of the Grand Rapids Bar Association in 1991. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners. Neckers is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers.

He is also active in many other civic and community organizations and in the Reformed Church in America.

Neckers graduated from Hope College in Holland in 1965 and from the Ohio State University College of Law in 1968. He and his wife Susan have three adult children.