State Bar Events

• Law Day 2008: In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower designated May 1 as Law Day. This day is an opportunity to strengthen our great American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law.
  
  
• Michigan Legal Milestones: The Michigan Legal Milestone Program recognizes significant legal cases and personalities in Michigan’s history and uses bronze plaques, placed at featured sites, to relate the historical significance. Currently, there are 32 Legal Milestone plaques displayed across the state.

• Constitution Day September 17
  

• Upper Michigan Law Institute and Bar Leadership Forum is held in each spring.

• 2008 Annual Meeting: Together with ICLE’s Solo & Small Firm Institute on September 17-19, 2008, Hyatt Regency Dearborn.
  

State Bar Awards

Complete 2008 SBM Awards Nomination Form (pdf)

• Roberts P. Hudson Award: Presented periodically to commend one or more lawyers for their unselfish rendering of outstanding and unique service to and on behalf of the State Bar of Michigan, the legal profession, and public.

• Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Servant Award: Recognizes extraordinary governmental service by a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

• Champion of Justice Award: Given to practicing lawyers and judges of integrity and adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession, superior professional competence, and an extraordinary professional accomplishment that benefits the nation, the state, or the local community in which the lawyer or judge lives.

• Liberty Bell Award: Given by local bar associations in conjunction with Law Day to honor outstanding citizens within the local community. The SBM Awards Committee selects the statewide Liberty Bell Award winner from local bar winners submitted to the State Bar.

• John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award: Recognizes a Michigan lawyer who has made a significant pro bono contribution.

• Michael Franck Award: Given by the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly to an attorney who has made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of the profession.

• Unsung Hero Award: Given by the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly to a lawyer who has exhibited the highest standards of practice and commitment for the benefit of others.

• McCree Awards: Presented to broadcast and print media journalists who help to foster greater public understanding of the inherent values of our legal and judicial system through their published materials.