Awards

2025 Recipient   Stephen Madej Scarfone & Geen PC This award is given in recognition of their generous and enthusiastic contributions to the mission and goals of MDTC.Prior Recipients 2024 2023-2024 Amicus Committee 2023 Sarah E. Cherry 2022 Brandon M....

In recognition of your extraordinary contributions to civil litigation. 2025 Recipients Hon. Richard L. Caretti, 16th Circuit Court   and   Hon. David Groner, Ret.   Prior Recipients 2024 Daniel P. Makarski 2023 Frederick V. Livingston 2022 Kitch Attorneys &...

  2025 Recipients Richard A. Kitch​ and Marcy R. Matson Richard A. KitchKitch Attorneys & Counselors, PC richard.kitch@kitch.com Established in 1992, the Annual Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) "Excellence in Defense Award" is designed to honor those civil...

  2024 Recipient   Dr. Ernest P. Chiodo, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., M.S., M.B.A., C.I.H. Ernest Chiodo PC epchiodo@gmail.com Read the Article Here Submissions The Quarterly is organized by volume. There are four issues in each volume, typically published in June,...

2024 Award Recipient Hon. Nicholas S. AyoubHon. Nicholas S. Ayoub 61st District Court nicholas.ayoub@grcourt.orgThe award recipient will be selected by the region leaders & members in that area. The criteria for this award will be the same as what the board uses...

2025 Recipient   Laura Alton Collins Einhorn Farrell PC laura.alton@ceflawyers.com The Golden Gavel Award is given to a member who has not practiced law for a period longer than 10 years. Recognized by significant achievement within their area of practice,...

MDTC Recipient   Kevin A. McNeelyMiller & Tischler PC kmcneely@msapc.netMAJ Recipient   John W. WhitmanGaran, Lucow, Miller PC jwhitman@garanlucow.com  Every year MDTC and MAJ each present a "Respected Advocate Award." The MDTC annually gives the...

2024 Recipient   Tim Diemer Jacobs and Diemer PCtad@jacobsdiemer.com In 2017, the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) established a new, major prestigious award entitled MDTC’s “John P. Jacobs Appellate Advocacy Award”. The award is designed to honor those...

DRI would like to honor those individuals who have supported and improved the standards and education of the defense bar by recognizing their contributions of the improvement of the administration of justice in the public interest.

2025 Award Recipient     Justice Brian ZahraThis award commends judges for their service to and on behalf of the civil bar, the legal profession, and the public. It was established to recognize judges who have demonstrated the highest standards of judicial...