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State Bar 2003 Awards Honor Outstanding Members
8/28/03 The State Bar of Michigan will present several major awards at its 68th Annual Meeting. The award recipients will be honored at a luncheon Friday, September 12 in the Lansing Center ballroom.  George T. Roumell Jr., the 51st State Bar president and an arbitrator of national reputation, will receive the organization's highest and most prestigious award for 2003. Roumell is recognized for his dedication to the State Bar, having served in numerous capacities. He has also worked for more than 43 years as an associate professor at the Michigan State University DCL College of Law. Roumell is the co-founder of the Detroit firm of Riley & Roumell, P.C.
The Champion of Justice Award, given for integrity and adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession and for professional accomplishments that benefit national, state, or local communities, will go to Stephen R. Drew of Grand Rapids, Robert E. Gilbert of Ann Arbor, and William M. Saxton of Detroit. Drew has spent much of his career working to advance minority issues and rights and has devoted significant time to the issue of jury representation and community education about the legal system and civil rights. Gilbert has been involved in many activities within the pro bono community and helped to organize the Friends of Legal Aid Campaign and the Michigan Litigation Assistance Partnership Program. He has been a lead solicitor for the State Bar of Michigan Access to Justice Corporate Committee and was instrumental in gaining large law firm support of more than $1 million. Saxton has worked for nearly 50 years as a litigator, negotiator, and counselor and has handled a number of landmark labor law cases during his career.
 Recognized for his extraordinary governmental service, Robert P. Griffin of Traverse City will receive the Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Servant Award. During his extensive career, Griffin spent 22 years in the U.S. Congress, serving 10 years as a U.S. Congressman (1956-1966), 12 years as a U.S. Senator (1966-1978), and eight years as Minority Whip in the U.S. Senate (1969-1977). Griffin also served as an associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and a visiting judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals.
 The John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award, which recognizes commitment to pro bono issues, will go to Nino E. Green of Escanaba. A pioneer in Michigan's legal services movement, Green has been committed to pro bono work and access to legal services since the mid-1960s, serving as the first director of the Upper Peninsula Legal Services. Green is credited for helping create the legal aid model in the Upper Peninsula and establishing legal services offices in Sault Ste. Marie, Marquette, Houghton, Escanaba, and Bessemer.
 The Michael Franck Award for outstanding contribution to the improvement of the profession will go to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly and Detroit lawyer and a former State Bar president Wallace D. Riley. Justice Kelly's extensive career includes serving as a Michigan Supreme Court judge since 1997, serving as judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals, 2nd District (1989 to 1996), and working as a trial lawyer for 17 years in Wayne and Oakland Counties. She has served in several State Bar roles, including Co-Chairperson of the Open Justice Commission.
 Riley is widely recognized for his record of leadership in local, state, and national organizations and his dedication to the improvement of the legal profession. His many roles include serving as president of the American Bar Association, president of the Detroit chapter of the Federal Bar Association, president of the State Bar Foundation, president of both the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society and Michigan Historical Center Foundation, and serving on the Attorney Discipline Board (chairperson 2000-2002). Before becoming State Bar president, Riley served in many positions. Riley is co-founder of the Detroit firm Riley & Roumell, P.C., now known as Riley Roumell & Connolly, PC.
 The Liberty Bell Award, given to a non-lawyer who has strengthened the effectiveness of the American system of freedom under law, will be presented to Wayne Bentley. Bentley, a Grand Rapids City/Middle High School government teacher, has spent more than a decade researching Kent County jury minority representation and worked with students through award-winning mock trial, debate, and academic teams.
For more information about awards criteria and the awards process, please visit http://www.michbar.org
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