January 22, 2008

Former State Bar President Kimberly M. Cahill, 47, passed away Monday evening, January 21, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Serving as the 72nd president of our organization, she was the fourth woman to hold that distinction.

Visitation will be held at Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and Friday from 2-9 p.m. A rosary will be held at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, 30009 Hoover, Warren. There will be a service at St. Martin de Porres Parish, 31555 Hoover, Warren, on Saturday, where she will lie in state at 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m.

"I will always remember Kim's outstanding service to the Bar and to our profession," said State Bar President Ronald D. Keefe. "Most of all, I will remember our friendship and the good times we had, especially this past year as she prepared me to succeed her as State Bar president. If I do anything right as president, it will be because of what I learned from Kim. Those of us who were lucky enough to spend time with Kim will never forget the intelligence, wit, and humanity she brought to everything she did."

Janet K. Welch, executive director of the State Bar of Michigan, said "Kim Cahill was an extraordinarily gifted lawyer who was generous beyond measure in sharing her talents on behalf of the profession she loved. Her inspiring leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of access to justice have left an indelible mark, and have strengthened both the organized bar and the legal system in Michigan. Those of us who had the pleasure of working with her are richer for having known her, and we will miss her exuberant spirit and uncommon common sense. This is a very sad day for the legal community in Michigan."

Kim practiced law in Center Line for more than twenty years. Her long-time law partners were her mother, Florence Schoenherr-Warnez and sister, Dana M. Warnez. Their practice focused on real estate, probate, estate planning, and family law matters. She was also the president of Schoenherr Developments, Inc., a company that acquires, develops, constructs, and leases commercial, industrial, and office properties.

Rich in leadership experience, Kim served as a State Bar commissioner from 1997-2007 and chaired the Representative Assembly from 1999-2000. She also served as commissioner liaison to numerous sections and committees, and served as the statewide chair of the Bar's Access to Justice Campaign. She also sat on the board of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, which helps administer and coordinate grants to legal service providers.

A life-long resident of Warren, Kim was very active in her local community. She held many leadership positions, including president of the Macomb County Bar Association in 2001-2002. She was a founding member and recent past-president of the Macomb County Bar Foundation. She also served as president of both the Macomb region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (MLAM) in 1989 and the state WLAM in 1996. She also served as treasurer of the WLAM Foundation, which promotes educational opportunities for women lawyers and law students.

During her distinguished career, Kim was honored with many awards and accolades, including the Alexander Macomb Citizen of the Year Award in 1998. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she received her B.A. in 1982 and her J.D. in 1985. She is survived by her mother, Florence Schoenherr-Warnez and sisters Dana M. Warnez and Pamela M. Cahill.

Memorial donations can be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Focus Hope, the Access to Justice Fund, U of M Law School, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Scholarship Fund, or the Macomb County Bar Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Thoughts from a Leader/Excerpts from Kim Cahill's President's Pages

A Photo Album

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