On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Michigan State Bar Foundation (MSBF) held its annual Fellows Reception at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. The event welcomed distinguished members of Michigan’s legal community, dedicated to advancing access to justice.
During the program, Hon. Victoria A. Roberts (ret.), Chair of the Fellows Program, delivered welcome remarks and acknowledged the 2025 Class of Fellows for their professional excellence and commitment to justice. This year’s Fellows roster includes:
Celeste E. Arduino - Bodman
Tracie D. Boyd - Lakeshore Legal Aid
Coryelle E. Christie - Lakeshore Legal Aid
Louis G. Corey - Corey Law Firm
Christina M. Hagen – Olsman MacKenzie Peacock
James J. Harrington IV - Fieger Law
Robert J. Hoard - Sullivan, Ward, Patton, Gleeson & Felty
Justice Noah P. Hood - Michigan Supreme Court
Robert G. Kamenec - Fieger Law
Shirley A. Kaigler - Taft Law
Mami Kato - Attorney at Law
Loren E. Khogali - ACLU of Michigan
Scott R. Knapp - Dickinson Wright
Katie Lynwood - Buhl, Little, Lynwood & Harris
Silvia A. Mansoor - Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip
Gerard V. Mantese – Mantese Honigman
Jonathan R. Marko - Marko Law
Takura N. Nyamfukudza - Chartier & Nyamfukudza
Daniel J. Ping - Michigan Department of Attorney General
Linda J. Rawls - State Bar of Michigan
Arnold E. Reed - Arnold E. Reed & Associates
Kimberly L. Scott - Miller Canfield
Nicole M. Smithson - Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office
Michael J. Steinberg - University of Michigan Law School
Lisa W. Timmons - Mediation Tribunal Association
Justice Kimberly A. Thomas Michigan Supreme Court
John M. Toth - Sullivan, Ward, Patton, Gleeson & Felty
Melissa Wangler - Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
Nicole Wotlinksi - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
MSBF Board President Craig Lubben shared updates on the Foundation’s continued efforts to strengthen civil legal aid and improve the administration of justice across Michigan.
The reception also celebrated the 2025 Foundation Award recipients. Former Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly received the Founders Award, honoring her outstanding contributions to the legal profession and community. Ashley Lowe was presented with the Access to Justice Award for her impactful work to expand access to justice for low-income families throughout the state.
Congratulations to the honorees and Fellows for their inspiring leadership and service.
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| From left: Julie Fershtman, SBM President Lisa Hamameh, Jennifer Greico |
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| MSBF Board President Craig Lubben, Access to Justice honoree Ashley Lowe, Founders Awards honoree former chief justice Marilyn Kelly, Fellows Chairperson Hon. Victoria Roberts (ret.) |
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| Justice Elizabeth Welch, Thomas Howlett, Peter Cunningham |
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| Melissa Wangler, Loren Khogali, Lisa Timmons, Mami Kato, Takura Nyamfukudza |