Attorney Lori Smith (second from right), of Lippitt, O’Keefe, Gornbein in Birmingham, spoke on “Integrity: A Philosophy in Practice” as part of Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s “Integrity in Our Community Speaker Series” on Tuesday, July 16. Happy to welcome Smith to the Auburn Hills campus were (left to right) WMU-Cooley Assistant Dean Lisa Halushka, Prof. Erica Breitfeld, and WMU-Cooley Associate Dean Joan Vestrand. Hosted by the law school and the Society for Personal and Professional Integrity, the speaker series offers WMU-Cooley students, staff, and faculty an opportunity to hear legal professionals share their experiences on ethics, service, or professionalism.
– Photo by John Meiu
Attorney Lori K. Smith was presented with Western Michigan University Cooley Law School's Integrity Award on July 16. Smith, who practices family law at Lippitt, O'Keefe, Gornbein, was the featured speaker during the law school's Integrity in Our Communities speaker series at the Auburn Hills campus.
Smith is a member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and throughout her career has litigated domestic relations matters in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Lapeer, St. Clair, Monroe, Washtenaw, and Genesee counties. She is treasurer of the Macomb County Bar Association and former president of the Macomb County Bar Foundation. Additionally, Smith actively serves on the Advisory Board for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Jefferson House and is treasurer for the Friends of the Macomb County Veteran's Treatment Court.
During her presentation, Smith spoke about the importance of integrity while practicing law. Quoting an article written by attorney Gary Ross, Smith explained that attorneys only need three things to be successful, "your law degree, your bar license, and your integrity."
Smith also shared various examples of when she faced ethical issues as an attorney and how she handled those difficult situations.
"There are times where I have questioned how to handle a particular situation because as a lawyer it can be difficult to balance the duties owed to your client against the ethical rules," said Smith. "I can tell you that in those instances where things fall into the gray area-that the State Bar of Michigan Ethics hotline is an invaluable asset."
The WMU-Cooley Law School Integrity Award is presented each term to a member of the community who demonstrates a high level of integrity and has a positive influence on the legal profession.
––––––––––––––––––––
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
