Gathering before the awards ceremony were (left to right) State Bar of Michigan President Julie Fershtman, John Lazet, Milton L. Scales; Frank Kelly, former attorney general and master of ceremonies; Michigan Supreme Court Justice Stephen Markman; Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Edward Sosnick, Judicial Award winner, Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, Action Award winner; and Thomas V. Trainer, Joe D. Sutton Call to Justice Award winner.
Photo by Roberta M. Gubbins
By Roberta M. Gubbins
Legal News
The Country Club of Lansing again this year hosted the Elder Law of Michigan Third Annual Joe D. Sutton Call to Justice Awards Ceremony.
The club’s main ballroom was full of members of the legal, education and business communities along with their family and friends.
State Bar of Michigan President Julie Fershtman opened the ceremony earlier this month by introducing Milton L. Scales who gave the benediction and also introduced the master of ceremonies and former Attorney General Frank Kelley.
“I worked with Joe (Sutton) for many years, said Kelly, “I know him to be a voice for those citizens who were not always heard.”
Kelly urged the members of the audience to follow in Joe Sutton’s footsteps “doing things for your fellow man. We need to restore respect for our government and appreciate the rewards of public service.”
Following the video showing one woman’s story using the services of Elder Law of Michigan to help her restore balance to her life after losing her home, falling victim to identity theft and exploitation by her daughter, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Stephen Markman began the presentation of awards.
Elder Law of Michigan, he commented, embodies the spirit of the law with “its emphasis on pro bono legal services to vulnerable and under-served individuals in the community.”
Markman called Thomas Trainer, who “volunteers his time, his talents and his treasure” to Elder Law to the podium to receive the Joe D. Sutton Call to Justice Award.
Trainer was honored for his years of service advocating for older adults and people with disabilities, his excellence as an elder law attorney, his commitment to educating professionals in the field of law and aging, and as a tireless volunteer for and donor to Elder Law of Michigan.
Trainer created the Elder Law of Michigan Pooled Trust, an important financial tool for people with disabilities.
Trainer, in accepting the award, thanked Elder Law for the honor. He noted that when he began the practice of Elder Law in the 1970s “things were better. Now we have less funds per person” so must work harder to do more with less.
He expressed concern over the problem of providing services to a growing number of seniors with fewer resources.
John Lazet accepted the Leadership Award for Contributions in Law and Aging for Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette recognized for his steadfast and long-term work in fighting hunger, his support of consumer education for older adults through the Senior Brigade (http://www.seniorbrigade.com) and his commitment to victim rights.
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Edward Sosnick was honored with the Judicial Contributions to Law and Aging Award.
Sosnick was recognized for his work in elder abuse prevention and his interest in supporting a system of justice that protects victims, helping them recover and transition after surviving serious crime and injury.
Receiving the Action Awards for Contributions in Law and Aging were State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker for promoting 16 bills in the state legislature that protect older citizens as well as Paul Bridgewater, president and CEO of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging.
Elder Law of Michigan is 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization.
Elder Law’s mission is to promote and protect the rights, health and economic well being of people as they age or people with disabilities by providing information, advocacy, legal advice and professional services.
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