Awards
Macomb County Bar Association 2024 Awards
Kimberly M. Cahill Civility Award: Joan Morgan
Pro Bono Award: Leza Elias
Gideon Award: R. Timothy Kohler
The Extraordinary Service Award is awarded to the most involved member during the year. The Board only chooses a winner in this category when a member stands out as deserving of this honor.
2019-2020 Hon. Tracey Yokich
2017-2018 Randall Chioini
2015-2016 Maryanne Deneweth
2015-2016 Hon. Carl Marlinga
2014-2015 Burgess, Sharp and Golden PLLC
2013-2014 Renee Tegel
2010-2011 William A. Moore
1999-2000 William A. Moore
1998-1999 Hon. Walter P. Cynar
1996-1997 Philip F. Greco, Sr.
1994-1995 Henry E. Sarnacki
1993-1994 Keith R. Beasley
1992-1993 Kimberly M. Cahill
The Distinguished Public Service Award winner in this category is when a member stands out to us as deserving of this honor.
2022-2023 LTC (R) John Walus
2020-2021 Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bridget Mary McCormack
2018-2019 Hon. Donald Miller
2018-2019 Hon. Mark Switalski
2017-2018 Hon. Linda Davis
2016-2017 Senator Peter J. Lucido
2015-2016 Lynn Davidson
The Macomb Bar Pro Bono Service Award recognizes and honors attorneys that assist with the unmet legal needs of low-income or senior residents of Macomb County on a pro bono basis.
Pro Bono:
2023-2004 Leza Elias
2022-2023 Arthur Garton
2019-2020 Mary Beth Leja
2014-2015 Nicole Smithson
For Seniors:
2012-2013 Clark Andrews
2011-2012 Fredrick Schienke
2010-2011 Thomas J. Tomko
2009-2010 Ronald Greve
2008-2009 Martin Brosnan
2007-2008 Paul Gigliotti
2006-2007 Thomas Rombach
2005-2006 Charles M. Merlo
2004-2005 Kimberly M. Cahill
2003-2004 Mary Ann Osterbeck
2002-2003 Paul T. Garvey
2001-2002 Melissa King
2000-2001 Richard L. Wagner, Jr.
1999-2000 Stuart S. Johnson
1998-1999 Calvin C. Rock
1997-1998 John L. Belanger
1996-1997 Charles M. Merlo
1995-1996 John Kraus Jr.
For Low Income:
2018-2019 Syeda Davidson
2017-2018 Maroun Hakim
2016-2017 Dolora A. Paul
2015-2016 Hon. James Biernat Jr.
2014-2015 Bryan Sunisloe
2013-2014 Kathy Vogt
2012-2013 Mark Haddad
2011-2012 Craig Feringa
2010-2011 Lori Smith, Kathleen M. Quayhackx and Thomas A. Stotz
2008-2009 Ronald Goldstein
2007-2008 Kathryn Viviano
2006-2007 R. Timothy Kohler
2005-2006 Karen M. Trickey & Paul S. Kowal
2004-2005 Barbara L. Yockey
2002-2003 William R. Knight, Jr.
2001-2002 Michael J. Goecke
2000-2001 Deborah F. O’Brien
1999-2000 John L. Kanaras and Douglas A. Tull
1998-1999 Marilyn A. Knak
1997-1998 Max D. McCullough
1996-1997 Karen Russell
1995-1996 John Chmura
The Kimberly M. Cahill Civility Award is given to the member who has brought respect to himself or herself and the legal profession through both dialogue and conduct by cultivating considerate, professional conduct with opposing counsel, especially in the presence of clients; encouraging clients to adopt meritorious positions and avoiding inflammatory and retaliatory tactics and behavior; welcoming and encouraging attorneys of all races, ethnicity and genders; assisting and mentoring new and inexperienced attorneys; avoiding disparaging comment and criticism of the bench and bar, and commending the profession’s members when appropriate.
2023-2024 Joan Morgan
2022-2023 Steven Freers
2019-2020 Stuart Fraser IV
2018-2019 Carl Chioini
2017-2018 Julie Gatti
2016-2017 Edward Greenup
2015-2016 Rex Burgess
2014-2015 Dana M. Warnez
2013-2014 Sherriee Detzler
2012-2013 Deborah O'Brien
2011-2012 Stephen Rabaut and James Brennan
2010-2011 Robert R. Gray
2009-2010 David Elias
2008-2009 Charles Trickey III
2007-2008 Lori Finazzo
2006-2007 Ron Kranz
2005-2006 John R. Mullett
2004-2005 Ronald A. Goldstein
2002-2003 Daniel P. Makarski
2001-2002 William M. Ellenstein
2000-2001 Charles R. Towner, Sr.
1999-2000 William C. Butler
1998-1999 John F. Potvin
1997-1998 Philip J. Anderson
1996-1997 Kimberly M. Cahill
1995-1996 Emil E. Cardamone
The Special Service Award is given to those individuals who initiated and/or completed special projects for the MCBA during the year.
2019-2020 Stephen Steinhardt
2018-2019 Michael Gibbs
2015-2016 Colleen Orr
2014-2015 Brian Wassom
2013-2014 Richard Hurford
2011-2012 Christine Piakowski
2010-2011 Anthony Urbani II
2006-2007 Lawrence Katz
2005-2006 Rex Burgess
2004-2005 Hon. Kenneth N. Sanborn, Hon. George Steeh II, Kenneth F. Martin and Hon. John Bruff
2004-2005 Hon. Dawnn Gruenburg, Donald P. DeNault Jr., and Dana M. Warnez
2003-2004 Mel Miller
2002-2003 Mark A. Pellecchia
2001-2002 John B. DeMoss John R. MacDonald
2000-2001 Charles E. Langton
1999-2000 Jacob M. Femminineo, Jr. and Robert S. McKenzie
1998-1999 Robert J. Hribar
1997-1998 YLS Board of Directors: John D. Gwyn, Robert L. Goldenbogen, Gretchen A. Schlaff, John J. Kennedy, John J. Puzzuoli, John M. Beeding, Jr., Jacob M. Femminineo, Jr., Annette Gattari-Ross, Dena P. Keller and Carrie Fuca
1996-1997 Anthony J. Bellanca and William A. Moore
1995-1996 Robert J. Hribar, Ellen C. Wallaert, John VanOphem and Ian B. Lyngklip
The Medal of Achievement and Courage is awarded only when the Board of Directors decides a candidate’s achievement in a challenging situation is an undeniably significant example of the noble practice of law. In se- lecting recipients, the Board considers Macomb County lawyers who have achieved great success for their clients and who have demonstrated courage in the face of adversity to represent the rights of the opposed, disadvan- taged or destitute. Such acts represent the spirit of the Constitution of the United States of America and honor the highest principles of the practice of law. Because of this stringent standard, the award is the highest expres- sion of esteem the Board can confer on an individual.
2005-2006 Hon. Kenneth N. Sanborn.
Hon. Kenneth Sanborn's victorious defense of Mr. Radulovich against the United States Air Force set the spark to the flame that fueled the fall of McCarthyism.
The Gideon Award recognizes an individual for their representation of the indigent either through one significant case or for an exemplary career dedicated to the protections guaranteed by the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This award is meant to honor an individual whose zealous advocacy has protected the rights of the indigent and has demonstrated their dedication to the protection of all, regardless of status.
2023-2024 R. Timothy Kohler
2022-2023 Tanya Grillo