Lansing, Michigan – October 8, 2026
The Michigan State Bar Foundation (MSBF) is pleased to welcome 28 attorneys to its Fellows Program as members of the 2026 Fellows Class.
Each year, the Foundation accepts nominations of distinguished members of the legal community for inclusion in the Fellows Program. Nominations are opened in the spring and are reviewed and approved by the MSBF Board of Directors.
Fellows Chair, Hon. Victoria A. Roberts, recognized the new Fellows during her welcoming remarks at the 2026 MSBF Fellows Reception in September.
During her remarks, Judge Roberts highlighted the collective impact of the Fellows Program in strengthening the administration of justice and advancing the Foundation’s mission. She also emphasized the important role Fellows play as ambassadors for the Foundation’s work.
“Our voices as Fellows help bring this work to a broader audience,” said Judge Roberts. “Whether through our professional networks, community leadership, or social media platforms, we have an opportunity to serve as ambassadors for the Foundation’s mission. I encourage each of you to remain engaged and help share the impact of this important work.”
The Fellows Program supports the Foundation’s mission to ensure access to justice for all, regardless of income. Through their leadership, philanthropy, and advocacy, Fellows help advance programs and services that expand access to Michigan’s civil justice system. With the addition of the 2026 class, the Michigan State Bar Foundation’s Fellows Program now includes more than 1,500 attorneys and judges dedicated to advancing access to justice across Michigan.
Please join the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Fellows Officers in welcoming the following attorneys to the Fellows Program:
- Kyla Barranco, Michigan Department of Attorney General
- Elizabeth P. Benton, Michigan Poverty Law Program
- Alena M. Clark, Michigan Department of Attorney General
- Patrick J. Crowley, Marquette County Public Defenders
- Jacquelyn A. Dupler, Foster Swift Smith & Collins
- Nicole A. Evans, 54-B District Court
- Bobby A. Ficklin Jr., The Ficklin Law Firm
- Nicholas A. Gable, Disability Rights Michigan
- Joseph J. Gavin, Miller Johnson
- Stefania Gismondi, Foster Swift Smith & Collins
- Michael C. Hammer, Dickinson Wright
- Jennifer L. Hartke, Lakeshore Legal Aid
- Elizabeth V. Janovic, Washtenaw County Trial Court
- Laura A. Jeltema, Warner Norcross + Judd
- Linda D. Kennedy, Panagos Kennedy
- Juliana B. Khalifeh, Nauts, Dwaihy, Beach & Moran
- Elizabeth A. Kitchen-Troop, Kitchen Sharkey
- Jason P. Klingensmith, General Motors
- James McGrath, Cooley Law School
- Amy E. Murphy, Miller Johnson
- Reginald A. Pacis, Butzel Long
- Lee B. Reimann, Tri-Star Trust Bank
- Alexander S. Rusek, Foster Swift Smith & Collins
- Abril V. Siewert, The Siewert Law Firm
- Kirsten J. Silwanowicz, Michigan Department of Attorney General
- Rebecca Sposita, Sam Bernstein Law Firm
- Jeffery V. Stuckey, Dickinson Wright
- Matthew L. Wikander, Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge
The Michigan State Bar Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization, established in 1947 and provides leadership and grants to improve access for all to the justice system, including support for civil legal aid for low-income families, law-related education, and conflict resolution. The Foundation administers the Access to Justice Campaign. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.msbf.org.