By Jo Mathis
Legal News
The Sheraton Grande Ballroom in Ann Arbor was the setting for the Washtenaw County Bar Association’s 26th annual Bar Revue & Silent Auction Feb. 27.
The 110 attendees raised more than $8,324 for Legal Services of South Central Michigan.
Dykema attorneys James M. Cameron, Jr., and Heidi A. Naasko received the third annual Pro Bono/Public Service Award from Ypsilanti attorney Tom Daniels, who said the awards are an opportunity to honor a law firm that actually walks the walk of pro bono service and pro bono funding.
Cameron, the managing member of Dykema’s Ann Arbor office, is a leader within the firm on pro bono issues and has set an example for the leaders of other statewide firms, Daniels said. He noted that Cameron, in conjunction with Friends of Legal Aid, has hosted an annual meeting of statewide firms with offices in Washtenaw County. Leaders at the meetings plan how the larger firms can contribute to local pro bono needs.
“As a result, statewide firms have significantly increased donations and pro bono work in Washtenaw County over the past several years,” Daniels said, before listing Cameron’s long resume of public service.
Naasko practices out of Dykema’s Detroit office, where she serves as the firm’s national Pro Bono counsel. In 2009, Naasko developed and since then has directed the Dykema Free Legal Aid Clinic at Ferndale High School. It’s the first of its kind in Michigan to be run exclusively by a private law firm.
The annual gala was held in the form of a talk show hosted by attorneys Greg Dodd, Robin Stephens and Orlando Simon.
Showing that she’s as good-natured as she is hard working, attorney Lori Buiteweg spoofed her own lengthy acceptance speech after winning the 2013 Patriot Award. Throughout the night, Dodd broke away to a “live cam” action at Weber’s Inn, showing Buiteweg still talking. And talking. At one point, hand puppets did the talking for her.
Also getting laughs were Simon’s skit as Julia Child teaching foodie Nick Roumel how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and as fashion designer Jean Pierre Robspierre, Marquis de Salade, placing a white wavy wig on Judge Joe Burke.
Dodd called the night a huge hit.
“It was a big success for Legal Services, a lot of fun for the bar members, and better than Jimmy Fallon’s debut on the Tonight Show,” he said.
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