The Michigan State University College of Law community has joined representatives of the legal profession across the state in recognizing the achievements of former state attorney general Frank J. Kelley, who died March 5 at the age of 96.
Kelley holds the record for longest continuous tenure as a state attorney general in US history — 37 years.
He was both Michigan’s youngest-ever state attorney general and, eventually, its oldest.
Kelley served under five different governors (Republicans and Democrats), transforming the role of the attorney general from a relatively narrowly defined functionary to “the people’s lawyer,” as he became known.
During Kelley’s tenure, the attorney general’s office created Environmental, Consumer Protection, and Criminal Fraud Divisions — all staples in most offices of the attorney general today.
MSU’s College of Law bestowed an honorary degree upon Kelley in 1990 and founded the Frank J. Kelley Institute of Ethics and the Legal Profession in his honor in 2009.
The Kelley Institute was endowed by Kelley, his friends and admirers as well as law school alumni.
Each year, the institute invites a leading legal thinker to offer a public lecture, teach students and engage with the faculty.
The 2021 Kelley Institute lecture is scheduled Tuesday, April 6, featuring U.S. District Court Judge Judith E. Levy, who was appointed to the federal bench by former President Barack Obama.
Associate Clinical Prof. and Rental Housing Clinic Director Brian Gilmore is the current director of the Kelley Institute and he recently reflected on the example set by Kelley for young lawyers.
“At a time when the importance of public service is constantly being questioned by some, Frank J. Kelley’s life and work is an example to be upheld today and forever as a model of excellence for all public servants,” Gilmore said. “The Frank J. Kelley Institute, created and named in his honor, will work tirelessly always to advance the values Mr. Kelley actually lived and worked for throughout his life and legal career.”
Melanie B. Jacobs, interim dean of MSU Law, said it was difficult to overstate Kelley’s impact on Michigan’s legal profession through his leadership and service.
“Just as he personally shaped the careers of many young lawyers over the decades, the Kelley Institute will continue to inspire students to follow in his footsteps as lawyers and leaders,” Jacobs said.
It was Kelley’s custom to attend the yearly lectures.
He celebrated his 90th birthday with the MSU Law community in 2014, gathering with students, faculty and dignitaries to reflect upon his long life and career.
“Work hard, wish for luck and be grateful for the things in your life,” Kelley said. “I know I am very, very blessed.”
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/subscriptions
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
