Michigan Bar Journal Wins National Luminary Award

11/12/08

The Michigan Bar Journal has won a national Luminary Award for communications excellence. The recognition came at the National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) Communications Section conference October 24 in Austin, Texas.

The Luminary Award is given to "a publication effort that exemplifies excellence in writing, editing, and design in meeting the needs of the publication's targeted legal audience." The Michigan Bar Journal won in the "Excellence in Regular Publications" category for large bar organization with more than 15,000 members. This category – which includes magazines, periodicals, journals, e-newsletters, newspapers, newsletters, and CLE materials – also had the most entries.

Judges' comments about the Michigan Bar Journal included remarks like "Outstanding publication. Excellent redesign. Issues clearly well thought out. All-around top-quality work. Great-looking publication. Looks like a real newsstand magazine, and not just another association journal. Very impressive, modern design."

“It takes a dedicated, talented group of people to produce each issue of the Michigan Bar Journal," said State Bar Executive Director Janet Welch. "An award of this caliber attests to our staff's professionalism and is a wonderful recognition of the work the State Bar does to serve its members and the public. Kudos also go to the SBM Publications and Website Advisory Committee and CiesaDesign for their hard work."

The State Bar of Michigan was one of just 16 bar associations to receive NABE Luminary Awards this year. The program recognizes excellence in marketing, public relations, regular publications, special publications, electronic publications, and websites. Winners include representatives from small, medium, and large bar associations from around the country.

Barry Kolar, assistant executive director of the Tennessee Bar Association and chair of the Luminary Awards Committee, said, "These award winners represent the best in their field nationwide, so they and their associations can be proud of this special recognition."

The Michigan Bar Journal is the official publication of the State Bar of Michigan. Linda Novak is the editor. The Bar Journal is published monthly with a special directory issue in April. It goes out to over 40,000 State Bar members and is the only legal journal received by every member of the State Bar. The Bar Journal can also be accessed online at http://www.michbar.org/publications/bar_journal.cfm.

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