The Cooley Law Review held its 38th annual Distinguished Brief Award ceremony on May 30, featuring guest speaker John Bursch, former solicitor general for the State of Michigan, who discussed collegiality among U.S. Supreme Court justices and advocates as a model for modern political discourse.
The ceremony recognized the most scholarly briefs filed with the Michigan Supreme Court in 2023.
Attorneys George Sinas, Lauren E. Kissel, Mark R. Granzotta were honored for their brief in Andary et al v. USSA Casualty Ins. Co. et al. That case concerned the medical-benefit reductions in the 2019 auto no-fault reform legislation. The question was whether those reductions could be applied retroactively to persons whose policies predated the new legislation and who were injured before its effective date.
Attorneys Nick Curcio, and Thomas R. Alward were honored for their brief in Schaaf v. Forbes.
The question there was whether trustees appointed under the Michigan Trust Code can hold property, in their individual capacities, in a joint tenancy with other persons. The brief argued that such an arrangement was prohibited by common law.
The award is to promote excellence in legal writing and to celebrate outstanding work by practicing lawyers. Winning briefs, that will be published in an upcoming edition of the Law Review, were evaluated by a panel of judges, using seven criteria: questions presented, point headings, statement of case, argument and analysis, style, mechanics, and best overall brief.
The ceremony recognized the most scholarly briefs filed with the Michigan Supreme Court in 2023.
Attorneys George Sinas, Lauren E. Kissel, Mark R. Granzotta were honored for their brief in Andary et al v. USSA Casualty Ins. Co. et al. That case concerned the medical-benefit reductions in the 2019 auto no-fault reform legislation. The question was whether those reductions could be applied retroactively to persons whose policies predated the new legislation and who were injured before its effective date.
Attorneys Nick Curcio, and Thomas R. Alward were honored for their brief in Schaaf v. Forbes.
The question there was whether trustees appointed under the Michigan Trust Code can hold property, in their individual capacities, in a joint tenancy with other persons. The brief argued that such an arrangement was prohibited by common law.
The award is to promote excellence in legal writing and to celebrate outstanding work by practicing lawyers. Winning briefs, that will be published in an upcoming edition of the Law Review, were evaluated by a panel of judges, using seven criteria: questions presented, point headings, statement of case, argument and analysis, style, mechanics, and best overall brief.
