The Representative Assembly of the State Bar of Michigan will honor Detroit Mayor Dennis W. Archer with the 2001 Michael Franck Award at a reception to be held during the Bar's 66th Annual Meeting in downtown Lansing.

Under Archer's leadership, the city of Detroit went through a major economic revival that has been nationally commended. Prior to his election as mayor, Archer served as associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 1986 through 1990 and practiced law with several leading firms in the Detroit area. He has served as president of the State Bar of Michigan, the National Bar Association and the Wolverine Bar Association. Archer has also been involved in over 40 different capacities on various sections, task forces, committees, and assemblies of the American Bar Association. He has also served on many national, state and local bodies outside the legal area.

The Michael Frank Award, named for former State Bar Executive Director Michael Franck, was first presented by the Assembly in 1998. It honors members of the State Bar of Michigan 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 recipient was the Hon. Gene Schnelz.