Former Wayne County Prosecutor John D. O'Hair will receive the State Bar of Michigan's 2001 Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Servant Award. The award will be presented during the Wednesday, September 12 luncheon during the Bar's 66th Annual Meeting in downtown Lansing.

Described as "the epitome of a public servant," O'Hair spent thirty-five years in public service before retiring last year. He has worked as a teacher, practitioner, judge and prosecutor. His career in public service began in 1956 when he became the assistant corporation counsel for Detroit. As an attorney for the city, O'Hair argued and won a landmark case before the Michigan Supreme Court, permitting the City of Detroit to begin fluoridation of its water supplies.

In 1965, he was elected to the Detroit Common Pleas Court. Three years later, former governor George Romney appointed him to the Wayne County Circuit Court, where he has served for more than 15 years. In May 1983, O'Hair was appointed corporation counsel for Wayne County. Four months later, his former colleagues on the circuit bench appointed him Wayne County Prosecutor. He served simultaneously as corporation counsel and prosecutor for four years until 1987 when he resigned as counsel. He was confirmed in the prosecutor's job by voters in 1984 and re-elected in 1988, 1992, and 1996.

O'Hair served two terms on Michigan's Judicial Tenure Commission, as the State Bar representative. He was also the Bar's representative on the state Commission on Death and Dying, and has served as a member of the Representative Assembly. He has served for more than ten years as a member of the board of trustees of the Detroit College of Law, including a term as vice-president of the board.

Wayne County Chief Assistant Prosecutor, George E. Ward, nominated O'Hair. This award recognizes extraordinary governmental service by a member of the State Bar of Michigan. Criteria for the award include being a present or former member of the State Bar of Michigan; service in public office in a way that strengthens the American system of justice under the law; demonstration of the highest standards of integrity, fairness, leadership, excellence, dedication to principle and to the ideals of democracy; and a significant lasting contribution to the nation, the state or the community in which the public servant lives or serves.