2025

Kathaleen Smith
Kathaleen M. Smith has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding access to justice, particularly for survivors of domestic violence and individuals in need of family law services. From 2016 to 2020, she served as the sole staff attorney at the Underground Railroad, a domestic violence shelter in Saginaw, and was active on the Saginaw County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee. Following her retirement, she significantly expanded her pro bono service, volunteering at multiple Clean Slate clinics that provided expungement assistance to more than 800 individuals.

In 2023, Kathaleen played a key role in launching Legal Services of Eastern Michigan’s Do-It-Yourself Divorce Clinic, where she helped develop clinic materials and has provided direct assistance to clients in a variety of family law matters, including those involving domestic violence. She continues to volunteer, mentor attorneys, and support legal services efforts in the region.

2024

Wendolyn Richards
Wendy Richards is co-chair of Miller Canfield’s Election Law group and has demonstrated a strong commitment to pro bono service through her leadership in a range of access to justice initiatives. She is active in organizations including the Access to Justice Fund Statewide Steering Committee, Goodwill Detroit, and the Association of Pro Bono Counsel, where she has co-chaired the Voting Rights Task Force for more than six years.

Wendy has contributed to several significant pro bono efforts, including the Road to Restoration initiative to help individuals restore driving privileges, a national habeas class action securing protections for Iraqi nationals facing deportation, and a nationwide poll worker guide project with The Brennan Center for Justice and others. She has also helped establish pro bono clinics addressing COVID-19-related needs and small business legal issues in Detroit. Her work has helped expand access to justice for individuals and communities in Michigan and beyond.

2023

James R. Rinck
James R. Rinck has accepted pro bono case referrals from Legal Aid of West Michigan (LAWM) for more than 35 years and is recognized as a leading expert in Social Security law. He regularly assists with complex Social Security matters, including Child’s Supplemental Security Income, Child Disability Benefits, and overpayment cases, which many attorneys do not accept. Through LAWM’s Pro Bono Program, James has donated more than 1,550 hours across approximately 190 cases, providing essential legal services to clients who otherwise could not afford representation.

In addition to his pro bono service, James has been active in the State Bar of Michigan’s Social Security Law Section, serving as treasurer, secretary, and chair. He has also served on the State Bar’s Defender System and Service Committee. His long-standing commitment to serving clients in need earned him the Legal Aid of West Michigan “Michael S. Barnes Award” in 2004.

2022

John R. Runyan, Jr.
John Runyan has served as a member of the Board of Directors for Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS) for more than 45 years. MILS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving one of Michigan’s most underserved populations. As a board member, John has provided leadership through his service as Secretary, Vice President, and President, including nine years as President. He is known for his dedication and thorough preparation, regularly reviewing all board materials and offering thoughtful guidance on organizational and personnel matters. In addition to his leadership, John contributed his legal expertise by drafting MILS’ Section 125 benefit plan.

In addition to his work with MILS, John has served on the Michigan Bar Journal Standing Committee and has authored several published articles. His decades of service reflect a strong commitment to supporting legal services and expanding access to justice in Michigan.

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.