Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. (LAD) has announced the winners of our 2014 Laddy Awards honoring members of the legal community for their pro bono service to LAD clients.
The Laddy Awards will be presented Tuesday, November 18 at 2 p.m. in the historic chief judge's courtroom of the Theodore Levin United States Courthouse, 231 W. Lafayette Street, Detroit. For information about the ceremony or sponsorships, contact Bedelia Brown at (313) 967-5619 or bbrown@ladadetroit.org.
This year's Laddy honorees are: 
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year:
Jordan S. Bolton
Clark Hill PLC
In one case handled by Mr. Bolton, our clients purchased a home on a land contract. They did not know that the seller had a mortgage for $65,000 on the property. The seller lost title to their home when that mortgage was foreclosed. Our clients made a $10,000 down payment on the land contract, and improved the property. Mr. Bolton filed a lawsuit alleging fraud by the seller and conducted extensive discovery including depositions. His efforts led to a settlement in which our clients received damages of $9,500.
Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year:
Bodman PLC
Left to right: Peter Leto, Ralph McDowell, Jason Currie, Michael Jameson, Kimberly Paulson and Alexander Simpson
Legal Aid and Defender offers assisted pro se divorce clinics for Wayne county residents. In 2008 Bodman began handling two pro se divorce clinics for Wayne County residents each month Bodman's attorneys handled the presentation and helped the clients prepare pro se pleadings. Since 2012 Bodman attorneys have continued to assist clients at a pro se clinic each month. In the past three years Bodman has donated 646 hours of work for LAD's clients.
Kelvin W. Scott Pro Bono Corporation of the Year:
Ford Motor Company
David Leitech (pictured), Group Vice President and General Counsel
Ford provides funding and pro bono attorneys from Ford's corporate counsel staff for our Food Stamp Screening Project. Ford's pro bono attorneys handled 16 food stamp clinics from 2010 through 2013 and four clinics so far this year. The Project is conducted in elementary schools and medical clinics that are part of our collaboration with the Beaumont Legal Aid for Families and Children Project (LAFC), and at the offices of our community partners, Don Bosco Hall, and Focus Hope. A number of Ford attorneys also handle individual pro bono cases helping our clients expunge their criminal records and get divorced.
Pro Bono Spirit Award:
Kristi A. Katsma
Dickinson Wright PLLC
Kristi Katsma of Dickinson Wright represented a client who received a Detroit property tax bill for $2,300 she had already paid. The client had stamped receipts from the City indicating payment in full. The elderly client had lived in her home since 1971. Ms. Katsma filed a successful appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal to resolve this matter. Ms. Katsma's work ensured that this client could continue to live in her home. She spent 57 hours on this matter.
Pro Bono Spirit Award:
Kurt ThornbladhThornbladh Legal Group PLC
Mr. Thornbladh represented a client, who lived at COTS, a Detroit homeless shelter with her six children. He filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy for her, wiping out a $6,000 balance owed for electricity and heat. Mr. Thornbladh filed the bankruptcy which enabled her to wipe out her balance, get utility service, and move herself and her six children into a new home. Mr. Thornbladh has completed bankruptcy cases for six other clients.
Pro Bono Spirit Award:
Jenny Lynn Zavadil
Bowman and Brooke LLP
Jenny Lynn Zavadil represented a client who was sued by a debt collector for a credit card debt. Ms. Zavadil filed a motion to set aside the garnishment of the property tax credit which is exempt from garnishment under state law. The Court ordered sanctions against the credit for $500 when this payment was not made the court ordered an additional $1000 in sanctions. The creditor paid the total judgment and sanctions of $1,000 which Ms. Zavadil donated to our very surprised and pleased client.
Frank D. Eaman Warrior of Justice Award: John A. Shea
Sole Practitioner
John A. Shea is the recipient of the Frank D. Eaman Warrior of Justice Award for his outstanding work as a member of our CJA panel of assigned counsel. The panel represents our clients in the U.S. District Court. Mr. Shea is an excellent practitioner and never hesitates to take the difficult case. He represented the former mayors' father, Bernard Kilpatrick in the lengthy trial before Judge Edmunds.
Ed Pokorny Pioneer of Justice Award: Hon. James R. Chylinski
Wayne County Circuit Court
Judge Chylinski is the recipient of the Ed Pokorny Pioneer of Justice Award because of his awareness of the particular circumstances of our clients. He is innovative in his sentencing. He often will impose a fine or court costs as an alternative to probation or incarceration. He is concerned about saving our clients' employment. He is also willing to consider alternative sentencing such as Drug Court or Mental Health Court.
Friend of Legal Aid and Defender Award: The Macomb Homeless CoalitionThe Macomb Homeless Coalition is a non-profit organization that acts as an advocate for the homeless and potentially homeless in Macomb County. MHC staff and volunteers came to LAD to conduct three poverty simulations for our entire staff and Board of Directors. The poverty simulation allows for persons to "live" the life of a poor person for a month and requires various actors to role-play as agency workers. The simulation is an effective method for staff to understand the struggles that face our clients in their daily lives.
Friend of Legal Aid and Defender Award: The 37th District Court
Judge Matthew Sabaugh
When the 37th District Court learned that Legal Aid and Defender and other community partners were planning an Eviction Diversion Program in Macomb County, Judge Matthew Sabaugh contacted us and expressed an interest in having the Program at the 37th District Court. The EDP is a voluntary program to assist landlords and tenants in resolving back rent situations without a credit-damaging court judgment. It is the first of its kind in Macomb County.
Pangborn Pin Recipients:
(At least 50 hours pro bono service since last awards ceremony)
Seth A. Drucker, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
Olukunle A. Fadipe, solo practitioner (now LAD staff attorney)
Kathleen G. Galen, solo practitioner
Kathryn Ariella Katz, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
Mary Beth Leija, solo practitioner
Mary K. Mansfield, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
Theresa H. Sharp, solo practitioner
Christy Q. Williams, solo practitioner
2014 Laddy Awards Sponsors:
