Late township attorney to be honored at August 12th event
By Tom Kirvan
Legal News
Little more than a year from the day he was tragically killed while biking in an event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, attorney Michael Salhaney will be posthumously honored Saturday, Aug. 12 in what his friends hope will be a very significant way.
The memorial tribute to Salhaney will take place in Clarkston at the lakeside home of attorney Gerald Fisher, a past president of the Oakland County Bar Foundation and a member of the Municipal Law Committee for the Oakland County Bar Association. The event, which will include a catered dinner and refreshments from 4-6 p.m., fittingly will serve as a fund-raiser for Make-A-Wish, an organization that fulfills the wishes of children suffering from critical illnesses.
The 57-year-old Salhaney, an attorney with Secrest Wardle and a longtime member of the Municipal Law Committee of the OCBA, was one of two bicyclists killed July 30, 2022 during the charity ride near Ionia in mid-Michigan.
The driver of the vehicle, 42-year-old Mandy Benn of Ionia, is awaiting trial on two second degree murder charges along with 13 other felonies counts in the crash that also killed Edward Erickson, 48, of Ann Arbor. Three other cyclists were seriously injured in the accident that happened when Benn allegedly tried to pass a truck while driving under the influence of prescription drugs.
The tragedy was a particularly devastating personal blow for Fisher, a longtime friend of Salhaney.
“I had known Mike for nearly 25 years, and he was a wonderful man and a terrific attorney,” said Fisher, a former Cooley Law School professor who will host the August 12 event with his wife Julie. “His death was such a shock to all of us who knew him and valued his friendship. It was inconceivable to be killed while doing something to help an organization like Make-A-Wish. It doesn’t get any more tragic than that.”
In an obituary published last August, Salhaney was described as an “exceptional father, husband, brother, and son,” and a “pillar in the community and at home.” He is survived by his wife, Alka, their seven children, as well as his sister, parents, and three nephews.
“Mike dedicated his life to not only the rule of law, but fiercely protected his family and those around him,” it was stated in the obituary. “Love, kindness, and integrity is only the beginning to describe Mike. Words cannot and will not describe this immense tragedy and pain felt in the community but more importantly at home.”
A 1986 graduate of Michigan State University, Salhaney earned his juris doctor from the former Detroit College of Law in 1990 and worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Oakland County before joining Secrest Wardle as a partner, serving as the principal attorney for West Bloomfield Township.
“He was beloved there, not only for the quality of his legal work, but also for his commitment to the good of the community,” said Fisher of the impact that Salhaney made in West Bloomfield.
Those remarks were echoed by Steve Kaplan, the supervisor of West Bloomfield Township.
“He was a stupendous lawyer, but more importantly, he was a wonderful person who was well-liked and well-respected by everyone on our staff,” said Kaplan. “His loss was absolutely devastating to all of us in the township.”
Kaplan said that Salhaney made a tradition of riding in the Make-A-Wish event – a three-day, 300-mile ride – and had a habit of keeping those who pledged support for his efforts abreast of his daily progress through Facebook videos.
On that fateful day last year, Salhaney posted: “This is difficult. This is tough. It’s a tough day in the saddle. A 112 miles total for today. After riding 100 miles yesterday.
“Then, you look down at your wrist and you see the wristband,” Salhaney said. “That’s the name of one of our Wish children. Thomas K. The young man I’m riding in honor of.”
Kaplan noted that Salhaney conveyed one final message before setting out that day: “Stay safe everybody.”
Last August, the West Bloomfield Township Board held a special ceremony in honor of Salhaney, unveiling a memorial plaque that is displayed prominently in the township hall. The ceremony coincided with an opportunity for township officials to share their own tributes to their late colleague.
“As you can imagine, it was a very emotional experience, as we shared some very poignant comments and stories about what Mike meant to us,” said Kaplan. “He was incredibly special.”
Kris D’Arcy, executive assistant for Supervisor Kaplan, said that Salhaney always had a ready smile and a willingness to help, whether on a professional or personal level.
“He was just so kind, and was always encouraging and supportive,” said D’Arcy. “I cannot begin to tell you how much he is missed.”
Registration for the August 12 event is open through July 28 by visiting the OCBA website at OCBA.org, as space is limited for those interesting in attending. Online donations to Make-A-Wish also may be made through a special link on the OCBA website. For more information, call the OCBA at (248) 334-3400.
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