9/10/02

The State Bar of Michigan's 67th Annual Meeting opens at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, September 25, 2002. Members of the legal profession will attend the two-day event that includes meetings, seminars and special programs.

On Wednesday, September 25, a gala gathering will feature candidates for Michigan's top elected offices. The Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court Hon. Maura Corrigan will make an "Address to the Profession," during the luncheon on Thursday, September 26. The 68th president of the Bar, Reginald M. Turner will be sworn in on Friday.

The Bar will also honor outstanding members with various awards. The Champion of Justice Award, given for extraordinary individual accomplishments or devotion to a cause will be presented to: Henry Baskin, Hon. Robert Holmes Bell, Ann Cooper, Jim Neuhard and Theodore St. Antoine. The Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Servant Award will be presented to Senator Dan DeGrow and Saul Green. The John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award for 2002 will be presented to Margaret Costello. The Liberty Bell Award for a nonlawyer who has made a significant contribution to the justice system will be presented to Marguerite Kowaleski. The State Bar's Representative Assembly will present the Michael Franck Award to members who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of the profession. This year's recipients are: Margaret Nichols and Norman Tucker. Fifty-year members will also be honored.

A 5K walk or run, Race for Justice will be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting on Friday, September 27, at the Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. Registration is at 5 p.m. and the race begins at 6:00 p.m. The Race for Justice supports the Access to Justice Fund for legal aid.

###