The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) honored George Sinas with the 2015 Respected Advocate Award on Oct. 7 at the State Bar of Michigan Awards Banquet. Sinas, managing partner with the Sinas Dramis Law Firm, was recognized for his leadership in protecting Michigan auto no-fault law and adhering to the highest standard of ethics.
"I have known George for over a decade, and he is considered a leader in the law in Michigan," said Mark Gilchrist, partner at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge in Grand Rapids, immediate past president of MDTC, and part of the MDTC executive committee that selected Sinas for this recognition. "George stands out both as an extremely successful practitioner and through his extensive work on behalf of the profession and the community."
The award is presented each year by MDTC to a member of the plaintiff's bar and by the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ) to a defense practitioner. The tradition promotes mutual respect and civility between the two associations. The 2015 MDTC recipient chosen by MAJ is Robert F. Riley of Riley & Hurley P.C.
"I am very humbled and grateful that such an outstanding organization as the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel has seen fit to bestow this honor," said Sinas. "It is particularly gratifying to receive such recognition by lawyers who are typically on the opposing side of legal cases and who I have always held in the highest regard."
For the last 35 years, Sinas has represented seriously injured people throughout the state of Michigan in a variety of matters, primarily involving motor vehicle accident litigation. He has also participated in number of important appellate court cases dealing with the auto no-fault law. In addition to representing injured people and their providers, Sinas serves as general counsel for the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault (CPAN), a broad-based coalition of over 20 major medical and consumer groups opposing efforts to minimize lifetime comprehensive medical coverage under the Michigan No-Fault Law. He has authored two textbooks and numerous articles on the subject and serves as an adjunct professor at the Michigan State University College of Law.
The award adds to a growing list of significant honors for Sinas, who was named the 2014 MAJ Champion of Justice and Lawyer of the Year by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in March 2013. Sinas has been named a "Super Lawyer" every year since 2007.
In 2013, CPAN honored Sinas with its Protection & Preservation Award and the Southfield-based ACS Foundation awarded him the Catalina Andres Humanitarian Award. Both awards were given for Sinas's longstanding efforts to protect the Michigan Auto No-Fault law.
Published: Thu, Oct 22, 2015
