Ronald D. Keefe has been sworn in as the 73rd president of the State Bar of Michigan. A resident of Marquette, he is the first bar president to come from the Upper Peninsula in nearly 50 years.

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford W. Taylor swears in 2007-08 State Bar President Ronald D. Keefe at at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford W. Taylor officiated at the ceremony. The swearing-in took place at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids in conjunction with the State Bar of Michigan 72nd Annual Meeting. Also sworn as officers for 2007-2008 were President-Elect Edward H. Pappas of Bloomfield Hills, Vice-President, Charles R. Toy of Lansing, Secretary W. Anthony Jenkins of Detroit and Treasurer Julie I. Fershtman of Farmington Hills.

Mr. Keefe started his career as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Marquette County more than three decades ago. In 1976, he joined Kendricks, Bordeau, Adamini, Chilman and Greenlee P.C., where he is currently a shareholder focusing on civil litigation, mediation, and municipal law. He is also the Marquette city attorney.

Since 1998, Mr. Keefe has been a member of the State Bar Board of Commissioners and has chaired many committees, including those dealing with member services, professional standards, justice initiatives, and finance. He has also been a commissioner liaison to numerous SBM sections and committees and was elected to the bar's Representative Assembly from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Keefe recently served as chair of the State Bar's Access to Justice Campaign, which works to raise funds to improve access to justice in Michigan for low-income people with civil legal needs.

Mr. Keefe is a fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation and a fellow and ex-officio trustee of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, which provides leadership and funding to improve the justice system. He is a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society and a hearing panelist for the Attorney Discipline Board. Mr. Keefe has been a lecturer and adjunct assistant professor at Northern Michigan University and has served on the executive committee of the Northern Michigan Trial Skills Workshop since its inception in 1989.

The State Bar of Michigan was established in 1935. All practicing Michigan attorneys and judges must be active members in good standing. The purpose of the State Bar, as set forth by the Michigan Supreme Court, is to "aid in promoting improvements in the administration of justice and advancements in jurisprudence, in improving relations between the legal profession and the public, and in promoting the interests of the legal profession in this state."

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