MyMAJ
Awarding Justice’s Top Defenders
Each year, the Michigan Association of Justice awards members and individuals in several categories in appreciation of their commitment to the civil justice system and to preserving the rights of citizens.
MAJ Champion of Justice Award
The Champion of Justice Award is given out at the Michigan Association for Justice's Annual Banquet. The award is given to an individual in appreciation of their commitment to the civil justice system and to preserving the rights of citizens.
2026: Ven Johnson
2025: Shereef Akeel
2024: MAJ Amicus Committee
2023: Mark R. Granzotto
2022: Debra A. Freid
2021: Scott A. Goodwin
2019: Robert A. Sedler
2018: Michael L. Pitt
2017: Paul A. Rosen
2016: Jules B. Olsman
2015: Sherwin Schreier
2014: George T. Sinas
2013: Honorable Avern Cohn
2012: Norman Tucker
2011: Jane R. Bailey
2010: Barry Goodman and Governor Jennifer Granholm
2009: Honorable Jessica Cooper and Mark Brewer
2008: Janet Brandon
2007: Honorable Dianne Byrum
2006: Honorable Richard Skutt
2005: Barry Waldman
2004: Mark Weiss
2003: Honorable Gary McDonald, Honorable Gary Peters, and William Goodman
2002: Honorable Damon Keith
2001: Honorable Carl Levin and Ted Sachs
2000: Honorable Claudia House Morcom
1998: Dean Robb, Honorable Ted Wallace, and Honorable Alan Cropsey
1997: Sheldon Miller and Harry Philo
MAJ Judicial Excellence Award
2026: Justice Megan Cavanagh
2025: The Honorable Timothy P. Connors
2023: The Honorable Jane M. Beckering
2022: The Honorable Richard H. Bernstein
2021: The Honorable David Allen
2020: The Honorable Amy Krause
2019: The Honorable Elizabeth Gleicher
2018: The Honorable Bridget M. McCormack
2017: The Honorable Shalina Kumar
2015: The Honorable William B. Murphy
2014: The Honorable Doug Shapiro
2011: The Honorable James Giddings
2008: Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh
2006: Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly
1997: The Honorable Charles Levin
1996: The Honorable Donald Shelton
MAJ Women’s Caucus Award of Excellence
2026: Governor Gretchen Whitmer
2025: Jennifer Engelhardt
2024: Secretary Jocelyn Benson
2023: Judith A. Susskind
2022: Susan H. Wright
2021: Attorney General Dana Nessel
2019: Debra A. Freid
2018: Carol McNeilage
MAJ Legislator of the Year
2026: Senator Mary Cavangh
2025: Representative Kelly Breen
2024: Senator Jeff Irwin
2023: Senator Jeremy A. Moss
1996: Senator David M. Honigman
Other Awards
2024: Justice Elizabeth Gleicher, Judicial Lifetime Excellence Award
2024: Justice Douglas Shapiro, Judicial Lifetime Excellence Award
2023: Barry S. Fagan, Special Service Award
2021: Morrizon Zack - Special Service Award
2016: Jane Bailey - Special Service Award
2005: Brian Dickerson - Excellence in Journalism
2004: Susan Jane Smith - Consumer Safety
Respected Advocate Award
Every year MAJ and the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) each present a "Respected Advocate Award." This award is given at the State Bar of Michigan Awards Banquet. MAJ gives the award to a member of the defense bar for the purpose of recognizing and honoring the individual's history of successful representation of clients and adherence to the highest standards of ethics. The MDTC does the same annually for a plaintiffs practitioner. In so doing, we promote mutual respect and civility.
| Year | MAJ Recipient | MDTC Recipient |
| 2026 | Gregory Light | Patrick Bennett |
| 2025 | Kevin A. McNeely | John W. Whitman |
| 2024 | Ronald K. Weiner | Jenna Wright Greenman |
| 2023 | Chad D. Engelhardt | Kevin M. Lesperance |
| 2022 | Donna MacKenzie | Deborah Lujan |
| 2021 | Jay Yasso | Michelle Crockett |
| 2020 | Jody Aaron | Walter H. Smith, Jr. |
| 2019 | Daniel D. Swanson | Cynthia E. Merry |
| 2018 | Liisa R. Speaker | William D. Chaklos |
| 2017 | Ven R. Johnson | J. Brian MacDonald |
| 2016 | Jules B. Olsman | Michael R. Janes |
| 2015 | George T. Sinas | Robert F. Riley |
| 2014 | Thomas R. Behm | John E. McSorley |
| 2013 | Jesse M. Reiter | Steven B. Galbraith |
| 2012 | Katherine Smith Kennedy | Laurel F. McGiffert |
| 2011 | Thomas J. Evans | Paul Lazar |
| 2010 | Mark Granzatto | Paul Manion |
| 2009 | William F. Mills | William W. Jack Jr. |
| 2008 | Norm Tucker | Bruce Bigler |
| 2007 | Wayne Miller | Pete Dunlap |
| 2006 | William N. Kritselis | William Hurley |
| 2005 | Hon. Elizabeth L. Gleicher | Paula L. Cole |
| 2004 | Timothy J. Donovan | Donald Ducey |
| 2003 | Sherwin Schreier | Roger Smith |
| 2002 | Loren Gray | Daniel P. Makarski |
| 2001 | Kathleen Bogas | Walter P. Griffin |
| 2000 | Edwin Jakeway | Richard G. Ward |
| 1999 | Dave Christensen | Robert Siemion |
| 1998 | Paul Rosen | Edmond M Brady |
| 1997 | George Googaisan | J. P. O'Leary |
