2026 Award Winners

Roberts P. Hudson Award: *No award this year*
Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award: Hon. David Murkowski and Hon. Christopher P. Yates
Champion of Justice Award: Dorothy Dean and David M. Honigman
John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award: Russel Abrutyn
Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award: Dennis Clark, Jeruan A. Howard, and the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
John W. Reed Michigan Lawyer Legacy Award: Leonard Niehoff
Liberty Bell Award: *To be announced soon*

Family, friends, and colleagues can celebrate award winners and the newly elected officers for Board of Commissioner by purchasing a congratulatory ad in the keepsake program for the Presidential Inauguration & Awards Luncheon. The program is distributed to all attendees at the luncheon and can be mailed to honorees. Rates start at $100. For more information, contact Stacy Ozanich at advertising@michbar.org or (517) 346-6315.

To make a 2027 award nomination and for more details, click on the award link in green below. The State Bar of Michigan may consider nominees for an alternate award based on their qualifications. Make a nomination for one of the Representative Assembly awards here.

Nomination forms

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 the public.
Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service 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.
John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award: Recognizes a Michigan lawyer who has made a significant pro bono contribution.
Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award: Recognizes a local or affinity bar association, program, or leader for excellence in promoting the ideal of professionalism or equal justice for all, or in responding to a compelling legal need within the community.
John W. Reed Michigan Lawyer Legacy Award: Given periodically to an educator from a Michigan law school whose influence on lawyers has elevated the quality of legal practice in our state.
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.
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: The Michigan Press Association Foundation took over the McCree Awards in 2017. 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.