Michigan State Bar Foundation welcomes 2021 class of Fellows
Twenty-two new attorneys join esteemed membership of civil justice champions
The Michigan State Bar Foundation has proudly welcomed 22 attorneys from around the state as new Fellows for 2021. Established in 1984, the Michigan State Bar Foundation’s Fellows Program recognizes distinguished Michigan lawyers for their professional excellence and service to the community. The Fellows Program supports the Foundation in providing leadership and grants for improvements in the administration of justice and the delivery of civil legal aid to low-income individuals and families.
The opportunity to join the Fellows is only extended to a limited number of Michigan lawyers each year. Fellows are nominated by their peers and must have been admitted to practice law for a minimum of 10 years. The MSBF Board of Trustees has final approval of all Fellows nominees.
This year’s class of Fellows was welcomed at a virtual reception on Sept. 22. New members and their locations are: Martha Rabaut Boonstra (Holland), Steven Bylenga (Grand Rapids), Emily A. Calabrese (Warren), Nakisha N. Chaney (Northville), Alisha L. Cieslak (Wyoming), Tracy M. Clark-Flaherty (Southfield, Julie H. Cotant (Southfield), Matthew S. Fedor (Southfield), Debra A. Freid (Saginaw), Julie A. Gafkay (Saginaw), Laura J. Genovich (Grand Rapids), Hon. Michael L. Jaconette (Battle Creek), Michael S. Leib (Bloomfield Hills), Homer W. McClarty (Southfield), Nicholas M. Ohanesian (Grand Rapids), Laura K. Reilly (Marquette), Beth Ann Richardson (Warren), Robert F. Riley (Birmingham), Larry J. Saylor (Detroit), Mark H. Shapiro (Southfield), Katherine K. Strickfaden (Southfield), and Kimberly L. Ward (Southfield).
Currently, there are nearly 1,500 Michigan attorneys who are active Fellows. Since the program’s inception, Fellows’ contributions have provided more than $2 million towards the supporting the Foundation’s leadership and grant programs. For more information on the Michigan State Bar Foundation and its Fellows program, please visit www.msbf.org.