Awards & Recognition

The Leonard R. Gilman Award is given annually to an outstanding practitioner of criminal law who exemplifies the excellence, professionalism, and commitment to public service of Len Gilman, who was U.S. Attorney at the time of his death in 1985. The selection is made by prior recipients of the award, many of whom served with and knew Len. The Award: In Honor of Leonard Gilman, his friend and colleague Alan Gershel wrote of him: “As the United States Attorney he instilled a level of excellence, professionalism and commitment to public service that exists to his day. While most of the prosecutors now in the office never met Lenny, his presence is felt everyday in numerous, often subtle ways. Whether it be in the recognition that depriving a person of his liberty is an awesome responsibility that requires the utmost care or in the treating of others with respect, his influence is never far. “However, it is his strength of character, personality and integrity that we most remember and honor him for. Lenny was the paradigm of what a prosecutor should be. He balanced aggressive advocacy with compassion. Trumanesque in his language and passion, his guiding principle to many a young prosecutor was to do the right thing. In a time when respect is becoming harder to find, he demanded it from those who worked for him. While he always took his work seriously he never took himself too seriously. A smile and self-deprecating sense of humor could disarm the most strong-willed adversary. “Lenny was a determined and passionate competitor, whether on the ballfield or in the courtroom. His ire would be raised not in the losing but in the failure to try. His character should serve as a beacon, not just for us as lawyers, but as a way of life. “We should look forward each spring to the presentation of this prestigious award as an opportunity to celebrate his life as well as a renewed introspection of our own by asking ourselves whether we have lived up to the ideals of decency, fairness and respect for others that were exemplified so remarkably in the life and character of Len Gilman.” Past Recipients of the Leonard R. Gilman Award:

1985 Joel M. Shere

1986 David F. DuMouchel

1987 Paul D. Borman

1988 Robert M. Morgan

1989 Maura D. Corrigan

1990 Neil H. Fink

1991 Timothy M. Kenney

1992 Alan Gershel

1993 Blondell L. Morey

1994 Miriam Siefer

1995 Thomas W. Cranmer

1996 Michael C. Leibson

1997 Ross G. Parker

1998 Harold Z. Gurewitz

1999 Nancy J. Diehl

2000 Federal Defender’s Office

2001 Robert W. Haviland

2002 Anthony Chambers

2003 Ronald E. Covault

2004 Robert Cares

2005 Kenneth R. Sasse, Eric M. Strauss

2006 Michael J. Hluchaniuk

2007 James C. Thomas

2008 Stephen T. Rabaut

2009 Lynn A. Helland

2010 Douglas R. Mullkoff

2011 Wayne F. Pratt

2012 Margaret Sind Raben

2013 Timothy A. Baughman 2

2014 John R. Minnock

2015 Daniel L. Lemisch

2016 Gerald K. Evelyn

2017 Steve Fishman

2018 Mark Chutkow

2019 Kenneth Mogill

2020 Valerie Newman

2021 Regina R. McCullough

2022 William Swor

2023 Craig A. Weier

2024 Andrew Densemo

The Wade H. McCree, Jr. Award for the Advancement of Social Justice honors individuals or organizations who have made significant contributions to the advancement of social justice. These contributions may include advancing social justice in areas involving poverty, promoting economic or educational opportunity, or fighting discrimination involving race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or economic status. The recipient may be selected from any field of endeavor including law, social service, community organization, volunteer activities, journalism, academics or the like. Wade Hampton McCree, Jr. was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Fisk University and his law degree at Harvard Law School, where he finished twelfth in his class. He began his legal career at the Detroit firm of Bledsoe and Taylor in 1948. In 1952, he was appointed by Governor G. Mennen Williams to the Workmen’s Compensation Commission, where he served until 1954, when Governor Williams appointed him to the Wayne County Circuit Court. Judge McCree was then appointed by President John F. Kennedy to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in 1961, and by President Lyndon B. Johnson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in 1966. Judge McCree resigned from the Sixth Circuit in March 1977 to accept appointment by President Jimmy Carter as Solicitor General of the United States. Wade McCree served as Solicitor General until June 1981, when he was appointed the Lewis M. Simes Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, where he taught until his death. While a member of the University of Michigan Law School faculty, Professor McCree was appointed by the United States Supreme Court to hear three cases as a Special Master. Judge McCree cared deeply about education. A founder of the Higher Education Opportunities Committee at Wayne State University and a founding trustee of Friends School in Detroit, he was a Trustee at Fisk University and a member of the Visiting School Committees of Harvard Law School and Mercer University Law School. He also served as an Overseer of Harvard College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School and on the Visiting Committees of the Law Schools at Wayne State University, the University of Chicago, Case Western Reserve University and the University of Miami. Judge McCree’s service to the legal profession and the community included active membership on more than 50 committees, councils and boards. He also was a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and served on the Board of the Detroit Round Table of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, as well as on the boards of numerous charitable and cultural organizations. The Chapter’s McCree Award for the Advancement of Social Justice is nationally acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards in recognition of contribution to the community. Past Recipients of the Wade Hampton McCree Jr. Award for the Advancement of Social Justice:

1990 George W. Crockett & Dennis W. Archer

1991 Ernest Goodman

1992 Mildred Jeffrey

1995 Damon J. Keith

1996 George W. Romney

1997 Fr. William Cunningham

1998 William G. Milliken

1999 Maryann Mahaffey

2001 Alternatives for Girls

2002 Saul A. Green

2003 Eleanor M. Josaitis

2004 Friends School of Detroit

2005 Eugene Driker

2006 Freedom House

2007 Father Norman P. Thomas

2008 Jack Kresnak

2009 The “Neal Legal Team”

2010 Mary Sue Coleman

2011 Kathleen Straus

2012 Martin I. Reisig

2013 Florise Neville-Ewell & PBJ Outreach

2014 Dr. Daniel H. Krichbaum

2015 John Van Camp

2016 Former United States Senator Carl Levin 2

2017 Mark Davidoff

2018 Faith Fowler

2019 Kary L. Moss      

2020 Hon. Avern Cohn

2021 Legal Aid Defender Association, Inc.

2022 Erica Peresman

2023 Amanda Alexander

2024 Stephani LaBelle

Click here for how to nominate someone for this years award

Julian Abele Cook, Jr. – Bernard A. Friedman Civility Award BE IT RESOLVED the chapter will establish an annual civility award to recognize a civil practitioner who is an outstanding example of professional excellence and civility. This award will be called the Julian Abele Cook, Jr.- Bernard A. Friedman Civility Award, in recognition of the dedication to civility of two outstanding jurists: former Chief Judge Julian Abele Cook, Jr., who, in 1998, constituted the first Civility Committee in the Eastern District of Michigan and fostered the implementation of the Court’s Civility Principles; and Chief Judge Bernard A. Friedman who formed the Court’s second Civility Committee in 2007, and fostered the implementation of the Eastern District’s “Lawyer’s Commitment of Professional Civility.” The Julian Abele Cook, Jr. – Bernard A. Friedman FBA Civility Award shall be awarded yearly at the Chapter’s Annual Dinner. In selecting an attorney to receive the award, the following criteria shall be utilized:

1. The attorney has been significantly engaged in the practice of civil law;
2. The attorney demonstrates the highest levels of legal competency and Professionalism;
3. The attorney’s conduct is in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity and personal courtesy as set forth in the Civility Principles of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; [COPY APPEARS BELOW ON THIS PAGE]
4. The attorney has demonstrated, while fulfilling the fundamental duty to represent clients vigorously, a mindfulness of the equally important obligation to the administration of justice, which is a truth-seeking process designed to resolve human and societal problems in a rational, peaceful and efficient manner; and
5. The attorney is guided by a fundamental sense of dignity, decency, candor and fair play.

NOMINATIONS IF YOU BELIEVE AN INDIVIDUAL IS WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION, PLEASE SUBMIT THE NAME OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND A BRIEF STATEMENT AS TO THE REASONS WHY THE INDIVIDUAL SHOULD RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION TO THE SELECTION COMMITTEE. PLEASE UTILIZE THE ABOVE CRITERIA & FORWARD YOUR NOMINATION TO THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE COOK-FRIEDMAN CIVILITY AWARD CONSISTS OF A PANEL OF FEDERAL JUDGES INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, PRIOR COOK-FRIEDMAN CIVILITY AWARD WINNERS, AND THE FBA CHAPTER PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT-ELECT.  THE MEETING WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE MOST RECENT AWARD WINNER.

PRIOR CIVILITY AWARD RECIPIENTS

2008 Edward M. Kronk

2009 Lawrence G. Campbell

2010 Carl H. von Ende

2011 William A. Woodard

2012 William Sankbeil

2013 Kathryn J. Humphrey

2014 Eugene Driker

2015 Saul A. Green

2016 John Runyan

2017 E. Powell Miller

2018 Thomas W. Cranmer

2019 Sharon M. Woods

2020 Reginald M. Turner

2021 Kathleen L. Bogas

2022 Edward H. Pappas

2023 Dennis M. Barnes

2024 Robert W. Palmer

This language is under consideration, pending next officer’s meeting:

Criteria for Award 

The Barbara J. Rom Award for Bankruptcy Excellence honors individuals who have exhibited the highest level of overall excellence in the practice of bankruptcy law. The following criteria are among those considered in making this award: excellence, civility, sophistication of practice, community involvement, Bar association and Court activity involvement, and pro bono participation. 

All consumer and business bankruptcy lawyers who practice within the geographical boundaries of the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Northern and Southern Divisions) are eligible to be nominated. 

Timing of Nomination  

The Barbara J. Rom Award will be presented at The Rakow Award/Historical Society/Barbara J. Rom Award Luncheon (a combined FBA event) in November (see calendar for details).

 Selection Committee 

The selection committee consists of District Court Judge Denise Page Hood, District Court Judge Laurie Michelson, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Daniel Opperman, Bankruptcy Judge Maria Oxholm, Lynn Brimer, Susan Cook, David Dragich, Earle Erman, Rozanne Giunta, Stuart Gold, Paul Hage, Wallace Handler, Steven Howell, Richardo Kilpatrick, David Lerner, Ralph McDowell, Charissa Potts, David Ruskin, Craig Schoenherr and Julie Teicher.  The recipient of the award will become a member of the Selection Committee.   

 Nomination Process 

Nominations should be submitted in writing to the Selection Committee. 

The Selection Committee will solicit nominations in writing from the members of the Eastern District of Michigan bankruptcy bar and judiciary. 

Nomination requests will be announced at various FBA events and meetings and sent via the FBA e-blast and, subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court, the Bankruptcy Court’s listserv. 

The Selection Committee will maintain a list of candidates previously considered. Persons nominated in previous years may be considered in the current year even if no new nomination is received. 

Selection Meeting 

The Selection Committee will elect a chair who will preside at the selection meeting(s).   

The meeting(s) will include discussion of the nominees and review of the supporting information. 

The selection recommendation will be made by a majority vote of the Selection Committee members who are present in person at the meeting(s). 

Ratification The FBA Officers (EDM Chapter), by majority vote, should ratify the Selection Committee recommendation unless they determine that the selection process was both contrary to the stated process and substantively unfair, or if the recommended selection would be contrary to the best interests of the Chapter. 

PRIOR ROM AWARD RECIPIENTS  

2012 Judy O’Neill 

2013 David Allard  

2014 Steven G. Howell  

2015 Wallace M. Handler  

2016 Susan M. Cook  

2017 David Wm. Ruskin 

2018 Earle I. Erman   

2019 Richardo Kilpatrick 

2020 Stuart A. Gold 

2021 Rozanne Giunta 

2022 Julie B. Teicher

2023 Lynn M. Brimer

—-

Criteria for Award

1. The Barbara J. Rom Award for Bankruptcy Excellence honors individuals who have exhibited the highest level of overall excellence in the practice of bankruptcy law. The following criteria are among those considered in making this award:
   1. Excellence, civility, sophistication of practice, community involvement, Bar association and Court activity involvement, and pro bono participation.
2. All consumer and business bankruptcy lawyers who practice within the geographical boundaries of the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Northern and Southern Divisions) are eligible to be nominated.

Timing of Nomination In 2022, the Barbara J. Rom Award will be presented at The Rakow Award/Historical Society/Barbara J. Rom Award Luncheon (a combined FBA event) on November  16, 2022. Selection Committee The selection committee consists of: 1) Chief Bankruptcy Judge Daniel Opperman 2) Bankruptcy Judge Walter Shapero 3) District Judge Nancy Edmunds 4) District Judge Laurie Michelson 5) Leslie Berg 6) Mike Hammer 7) David Lerner 8) Ralph McDowell 9) Craig Schoenherr 10) Julie Teicher The recipient of the award will become a member of the selection committee and eventually the selection committee will consist entirely of past award winners.

Nomination Process

1. Nominations should be submitted in writing to the selection committee and/or FBA officers.
2. The selection committee will send written nomination requests to the members of the Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Bar and Judiciary.
3. Nomination requests will be announced at all FBA events and meetings and sent via the FBA e-blast and the bankruptcy ECF system.
4. Nomination requests will be published in the FBA newsletters and Detroit Legal News.
5. The selection committee will maintain a list of candidates previously considered. Persons nominated in previous years may be considered in the current year even if no new nomination is received.

Selection Meeting

1. The selection committee will elect a chair who will preside at the selection meeting(s).
2. The meeting(s) will include discussion of the nominees and review of the supporting information.
3. The selection recommendation will be made by a majority vote of the selection committee members who are present in person at the meeting(s).

Ratification The FBA Officers (EDM Chapter), by majority vote, should ratify the selection committee recommendation unless they determine that the selection process was both contrary to the stated process and substantively unfair, or if the recommended selection would be contrary to the best interests of the Chapter.

Edward H. Rakow was a visionary who more than 50 years ago recognized the need for a Detroit Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and volunteered to help organize a chapter. Those who knew him describe a warm, friendly individual who had many friends in the area and who put an extensive amount of effort into organizing the Chapter. Within several years, the membership multiplied from a few individuals to several hundred members. For more information, visit the Foundations page.

In 2019, the Chapter Recognition Award (CRA) was established to recognize some of the many truly outstanding contributors to our chapter. CRAs are chosen by the sitting Chapter President and given as a means to thank members who go significantly “above and beyond” through orchestrating an educational program, performing outstanding committee work (either in a single event or over time), personal innovation, or by demonstrating commitment in an as yet undefined way. Each chapter president will give no more than 6 such awards per year. Recipients of these recognitions receive a chapter recognition coin, one-year Sustaining Membership, and their name posted in perpetuity on our website. There is no limit to the number of CRAs a member can receive. Chapter Recognition

Award Recipients:

Under George Donnini: (2023-2024): (1) Chief Judge Sean Cox, (2) Michelle Lingefelter, (3) Mike Turco, (4) Sarah Resnick Cohen, (5) John Sier

Under Jennifer Newby (2022-2023): (1) David Lerner, (2) Kelley Callard, (3) Chief Judge Opperman, (4) Charissa Potts, (5) Rozanne Giuna

Under Daniel Sharkey (2021-2022): (1) Linda Hylenski, (2) Crystal Flood, (3) Paul Hage, (4) Josh Matta, (5) Troy Richard and (6) Mark St. Peter

Under Fred Herrmann (2020-2021): (1) David Weaver, (2-6) New Lawyer Seminar Committee: Christine Dowhan-Bailey, Grant Gilezan, Hussein Jaward, Lauren Mandel, and Catherine Wenger

Under Matthew Lund (2019-2020):  (1) Andrew Lievense, (2) Christina Farinola, (3) Hon. Patricia Morris, (4) Hon. Daniel Opperman, (5) Tom McDonald and (6) Rozanne Giunta

Best Foursome:

2022 – Barnes ADR (Dennis Barnes, Hon. Stephen Murphy, Nikki Long, Dan Rustman)

2023 – Law Offices of David Steingold (David Steingold, Michael Rex, David Koelzer, Thomas Nemes)

2024 – Berry Moorman (Don Carney, Sandro DiMerurio, Anthony McHugh, Keaton Frohn)

In 2025, we hope to bring enhanced awards including live scoring, top 3 places for best foursome, best male player, best female player… tbd, stay tuned!