President, Michigan Bar Association
1998
Citation:
During an illustrious career of 32 years, you have distinguished yourself as a leader in the legal profession and in the community. In recognition of your high regard within the legal community, you were elected the 63rd president of the State Bar of Michigan, representing 32,000 members. Active in numerous professional organizations, you have earned the distinction of Fellow by the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation, and Life Fellow by the Michigan State Bar Foundation. Other honors include the American Bar Association's ALCA Silver Key Award, and Distinguished Service Awards by both the Michigan Defense Trial Council and the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program. Known for your legal expertise in the areas of medical and dental malpractice and health care law, you serve on the boards of St. John Hospital and Medical Center and its parent organizations, St. John Health System, and previously served as a charter board member of the Bons Secours Foundation. You have demonstrated your civic leadership through local governance of the Village of Grosse Pointe Shores and Grosse Pointe Township over the past 23 years. As an alumnus of the University's law school, you have shown your support by serving as director and president of the Law Alumni Association Board of Directors and by participating on the law school's Commission on the Future Task Force. The School of Law Alumni Association acknowledged your many contributions with its Award of Distinction. In recognition of your professional integrity, commitment to the legal profession and service to your community, the University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to present you with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree. Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law, May 10, 1998.