2023

James R. Rinck

2022

John R. Runyan, Jr.

2021

No award

2020

Heidi Naasko
Heidi Naasko, Dykema’s Pro Bono and Diversity Counsel was the first full-time Pro Bono Counsel in Michigan. In addition to administering the firm's pro bono program and mentoring lawyers in various areas of public interest law, Heidi maintains a substantive poverty law practice. Her case load includes representation of unaccompanied immigrant children who are victims of human trafficking and have either been victims of crime in their country of origin or in the United States. Heidi also represents domestic violence survivors in divorce, child custody, immigration matters, and personal protection orders. Visit Dykema's website to read more about Heidi's pro bono projects and her commitment to access to justice.

2019

Kimberly L. Scott
Kimberly “Kim” Scott of Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone PLC has dedicated her notable career to taking the helm in complex litigation matters and proven her passion for protecting people from unfair competition. Kim is a litigator who is renowned for heading nationwide litigation teams with winning strategies with a focus primarily on intellectual property, antitrust, commercial torts, business disputes, and class-action suites. Kim has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer for intellectual property litigation every year since 2012. In 2018, she was named one of the Best Lawyers in America and a Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Kim is extremely active in local, state, and national professional associations. Kim has served as vice chair of the American Bar Association Antitrust Section’s Trade, Sports and Professional Associations Committee; co-chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Antitrust Committee; and on numerous State Bar of Michigan sections including the Antitrust, Franchising and Trade Regulation Section, Litigation Section, and the Arts, Communications, Entertainment and Sports Section.

2018

Charles David Jones
Charles “David” Jones is a retired Administrative Law Judge who has been tirelessly volunteering with Elder Law of Michigan (ELM) since September of 2013. Without David’s help, many of the seniors at ELM would not have any access to legal services. ELM’s volunteer attorneys help with a number of issues ranging from handling creditors, Medicaid/Medicare, and landlord/tenant. With the assistance of David and ELM staff, seniors feel an improved sense of economic security and can have more peace of mind that their legal issues are handled. David assists at ELM one to two days a week and selflessly shares his time, knowledge, and expertise with the EML staff and clients. Since 2013, David has assisted approximately 900 seniors and has volunteered approximately 2,000 hours. Prior to becoming a judge, David was a staff attorney for Legal Aid of Western Michigan. His career and life show a deep dedication to helping Michigan’s low income populations.

2017

Robert C. Treat Jr.
Bob Treat is the President of QDRO Express, a law firm specializing in the preparation of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs). Bob is widely known as one of the most experienced and knowledgeable QDRO experts in Michigan and beyond. He has contributed to the success of the State Bar of Michigan’s QDRO Referral Program, a project of the Michigan Litigation Assistance Project, where he leads the program’s administration group and provides pro bono QDRO drafting services as a member of the pro bono panel of QDRO preparers. Bob’s full-time business schedule does not stop him from providing extensive pro bono services to a variety of organizations, including Lakeshore Legal Aid, the Michigan Advocacy Program, and many other legal services providers throughout Michigan.

2016

Leo P. Goddeyne
Leo Goddeyne has been a leader with the Kalamazoo Bar Association and Legal Aid of Western Michigan. As chair of the KBA Pro Bono Committee, he was integral in starting weekly pro bono legal clinics and oversaw their growth—now the clinics facilitate about 80 lawyers offering about 300 hours of free legal services each year. “As important as Mr. Goddeyne’s work with clinics and nonprofits have been, his most significant contribution is the support and encouragement he has given to his successors on the KCBA Pro Bono Committee,” wrote Donald Robert, managing attorney for Legal Aid of Western Michigan.

2015

Paul E. Scheidemantel
Paul Scheidemantel is a member of Clark Hill’s Litigation Practice Group. He is a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and previously served for several years as its pro bono coordinator. In a five-year period (2009-2013), Paul averaged 238 hours of pro bono legal services per year to low-income clients. The stipend that accompanied the 2015 Cummiskey Award was designated by Paul to the Legal Aid and Defender Association.

2014

Susan M. Kornfield
Susan Kornfield is chair of Bodman's Intellectual Property Practice Group. Susan is largely responsible for the establishment of Bodman’s pro bono program. Since she began practicing law in 1982, Susan has provided an estimated 10,000 hours of pro bono legal services. The stipend that accompanied the 2014 Cummiskey Award was designated by Susan to the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.

2013

Robert G. Mossel
Rob Mossel is a member of Ford Motor Credit at Ford Motor Company. Rob was instrumental in the collaboration between Ford Motor Company and the Legal Aid and Defender Association on a pilot project to help individuals and families not receiving food stamps or not getting the maximum allowable benefit despite being eligible. The stipend that accompanied the 2013 Cummiskey Award was designated by Rob to the Legal Aid and Defender Association.

2012

Ann M. Ozog
Sister Ann Ozog worked with Lakeshore Legal Aid for 20 years before retiring in 2003. Since her retirement, Sister Ann has educated over 1,200 seniors about their legal rights at more than 50 community legal education events. Sister Ann has also provided free legal services to nearly 1,800 needy clients. The stipend that accompanied the 2012 Cummiskey Award was designated by Sister Ann to Lakeshore Legal Aid.