Nominations are still being accepted for five awards to be presented at the State Bar of Michigan’s 64^th Annual Meeting, September 15-17 at the Grand Center in Grand Rapids.

The Roberts P. Hudson Award is recognized as the "lifetime achievement" award by the Bar. Considered the State Bar of Michigan’s most prestigious award, it goes to a person whose career has exemplified the highest ideals of the profession, and who has made a significant contribution to his or her community, state and/or the nation. The 1998 winner of the Roberts P. Hudson Award was Jon R. Muth of Grand Rapids.

The Champions of Justice Award is given for extraordinary individual accomplishments or devotion to a cause. In 1998, three judges and three individuals were recognized: Hon. David Breck of Pontiac, Hon. Patricia Boyle of Detroit, Hon. Kenneth Sanborn of Washington, the late Charles Lockwood of Detroit, Rev. Milton Henry of Bloomfield Hills, and Nancy Wonch of Lansing.

The Frank J. Kelley Award for Distinguished Public Service is given to a Michigan attorney holding elected or appointive office for outstanding public service. Created by the Board of Commissioners last year, it was awarded to Frank J. Kelley for his record-setting tenure as Michigan’s chief lawyer.

The John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award recognizes a member of the State Bar who excels on behalf of a client who is unable to afford to hire legal counsel. The award carries with it a cash stipend to be donated to the charity of the recipient’s choice. In 1998, the State Bar honored Peter P. Darrow of Ann Arbor.

The Liberty Bell award is selected from nominations made by affinity bar associations. The award is presented to a nonlawyer who has made a significant contribution to the justice system. In 1998, the Bar recognized Miriam Brown Dorsey of Jackson for her dedication to the ideal of "equal justice under the law."

Nominations are reviewed by the Awards Committee, co-chaired by Alfred M. Butzbaugh and Max Hoffman. The committee’s recommendations are then voted on by the full Board of Commissioners at its July meeting.

Nominations may be made by any member of the State Bar. Nominations should include sufficient detail on the accomplishments of the nominee to allow the committee to render a judgment. Information may include biographies, narratives relating specific accomplishments, news clips and letters of support. Materials will not be returned. Last year’s non-winner nominations will automatically carry over for consideration this year.

Nominations should be sent to:

Awards Committee
Attention: Nichole Kelley-Korson
State Bar of Michigan
Michael Franck Building
306 Townsend Street<
Lansing MI 48933-2083