The Oakland County Bar Association will salute outstanding leaders in the law and celebrate another amazing year with judges, OCBA leadership, and other OCBA members at its 92nd Annual Meeting &?Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 3, at The Kingsley Hotel in Bloomfield Hills.
During the sold-out event, the association will recognize the 2026 OCBA award recipients, honor members celebrating 40 years of legal practice in Michigan, and pay tribute to those who have proudly maintained 50 consecutive years of OCBA membership.
In addition, outgoing OCBA President Sarah E. Kuchon will pass the gavel to incoming President Aaron V. Burrell. He will be sworn in as the bar’s 94th president and his first action as the new leader will be to deliver remarks about his vision for the year ahead.
The 2026 awards include:
• Distinguished Service Award—Mark B. Berke, Law Office of Mark B. Berke PLLC.
• Professionalism Award—Michael S. Leib, Leib ADR LLC, and Russell C. Anderson, Schmidt, Isgrigg, Anderson, & Miller (posthumously).
• Distinguished Public Servant Award—Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Nanci J. Grant.
• Distinguished Career Achievement Award—Brian D. Einhorn, Collins Einhorn Farrell PC.
• Frances R. Avadenka Memorial Award—Julie A. McCowan, Julie McCowan, ESQ, LLC.
• Bonnie L. Beutler Outstanding New Lawyer Award—Jacob N. Simon, The Law Office of Jacob N. Simon .
• Allene and Martin Doctoroff Liberty Bell Award—CARE House of Oakland County—CASA Program.
• Lakeshore Legal Aid Pro Bono Award—Sheldon G. Larky.
• S. Gerald Gorcyca Meritorious Service to Veterans Award—Thomas Kallas and his service dogs, Kevin and Steve.
• Committee of the Year—Probate, Estate and Trust Committee – Chair Julie A. McCowan and Vice Chair Wanda J. Roberts.
During the sold-out event, the association will recognize the 2026 OCBA award recipients, honor members celebrating 40 years of legal practice in Michigan, and pay tribute to those who have proudly maintained 50 consecutive years of OCBA membership.
In addition, outgoing OCBA President Sarah E. Kuchon will pass the gavel to incoming President Aaron V. Burrell. He will be sworn in as the bar’s 94th president and his first action as the new leader will be to deliver remarks about his vision for the year ahead.
The 2026 awards include:
• Distinguished Service Award—Mark B. Berke, Law Office of Mark B. Berke PLLC.
• Professionalism Award—Michael S. Leib, Leib ADR LLC, and Russell C. Anderson, Schmidt, Isgrigg, Anderson, & Miller (posthumously).
• Distinguished Public Servant Award—Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Nanci J. Grant.
• Distinguished Career Achievement Award—Brian D. Einhorn, Collins Einhorn Farrell PC.
• Frances R. Avadenka Memorial Award—Julie A. McCowan, Julie McCowan, ESQ, LLC.
• Bonnie L. Beutler Outstanding New Lawyer Award—Jacob N. Simon, The Law Office of Jacob N. Simon .
• Allene and Martin Doctoroff Liberty Bell Award—CARE House of Oakland County—CASA Program.
• Lakeshore Legal Aid Pro Bono Award—Sheldon G. Larky.
• S. Gerald Gorcyca Meritorious Service to Veterans Award—Thomas Kallas and his service dogs, Kevin and Steve.
• Committee of the Year—Probate, Estate and Trust Committee – Chair Julie A. McCowan and Vice Chair Wanda J. Roberts.
