Each year, the Women Lawyer’s Association of Michigan recognizes outstanding leadership in advocacy for the advancement of women, judiciary role models, and regional development.

2021 WLAM Awards Nominations
WLAM is seeking nominations for our 2021 Awards Program. The awards will be given at our 2021 Annual Meeting, date TBD, to lawyers or judges for her/his outstanding leadership in the advancement of women. These individuals bring honor, esteem and respect to the legal profession.
Nomination forms:
- Jean King Leadership Award
- Geraldine Bledsoe Ford Award
- Mary S. Coleman Award
- WLAM Regional Leadership Award
You can also download PDF versions of the forms:
Jean King | Geraldine Bledsoe Ford | Mary S. Coleman | Regional
Questions should be directed to Alena Clark, WLAM Immediate Past President, at [email protected].
Jean L. King Leadership Award
Pioneer of Self-Determination for Women and Girls
Presented in commendation for visionary leadership in the face of opposition and outstanding efforts toward the advancement of women and the legal profession.
Recipients
Mary S. Coleman Award
First Woman Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
Presented in recognition of significant contributions as a judiciary role model for women in the legal profession and in society.
Recipients
Geraldine Bledsoe Ford Award
First Black Women Elected to a U.S. Judgeship as a Non-incumbent
This annual WLAM award is intended to recognize individuals and organizations, including those outside of the legal profession, who support the advancement of women and minorities and have shown a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion for all people.
Recipients
![]() | A former criminal prosecutor and civil rights attorney, Dana Nessel was sworn in as Michigan’s 54th Attorney General on January 1, 2019. Her core initiatives have been fashioned in the image of her promise to Michigan’s residents — to give the Department of Attorney General back to the people that it serves. Attorney General Nessel’s consumer protection divisions have taken a lead role in fighting against companies that try to take advantage of Michigan consumers, whether it be through unfair utility rate increases or unscrupulous business practices. She launched the Department’s Auto Insurance Fraud Unit to investigate and prosecute individuals and businesses that exploit Michigan residents and the system designed to protect the safety of Michigan’s drivers. And, she established the office’s first Payroll Fraud Enforcement Unit to crackdown on individuals and businesses who try to cheat Michigan’s workers out of their pay and retirement benefits. Since taking office, Attorney General Nessel has been a champion of the state’s most important resource – its Great Lakes. Her environmental protection division is actively fighting to ensure clean air, water and energy for Michigan’s residents so that our most valuable assets are preserved for generations to come. She has also joined the battle to combat the largest public health crisis in the nation – prescription drug addiction — and to stem the tide of Michigan’s biggest environmental crisis in decades – PFAS contamination. |
![]() | As a Court Administrator, Zenell is a team builder, leader, and organizational strategist committed to excellence in public service. She currently serves as the Executive Court Administrator for the Third Circuit Court, the largest Michigan trial court and among the big 10 in the nation. The Third Circuit Court proudly points to its many successful strategic projects and high public satisfaction rating as evidence that its Court leadership is moving in the right direction. Zenell has garnered respect for her ethical leadership and innovation. She has built her approach on three pillars: communication, leadership responsibility and accountability, and diversity and inclusion. She has shared her “Justice for All” leadership and organizational wisdom at local, state, and national level conferences for court managers and teams. She is a versatile presenter and brings an eclectic mix of tools to share, blending best practices and lessons learned conversations, and lectures with vision boarding exercises and coaching. A self-professed lifelong learner, Zenell continues to add to her current credentials of Juris Doctor (Wayne State University Law School), Public Service Administration Graduate Certificate (Central Michigan University), Court Administration Certificate (Michigan State University), and Certified Diversity Professional (National Diversity Council-DiversityFirst). She currently serves on Michigan State Bar’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, the Michigan Diversity and Inclusion Council Board, as an Associate Member on the National Association of Women Judges’ Face of Justice Committee, and many other professional and civic memberships. Her pastimes include blogging, mentoring, and sharing positive affirmations and quotes. She is a mom, wife, and great daughter. |
![]() | Theresa Doss, retired Judge of the 36th District Court for the City of Detroit, is an honor graduate of Ohio University. She graduated from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1964. Her class at The Ohio State University College of Law consisted of only three women, with her being the only black graduate. She was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio in 1964 and since 1966, has been admitted to practice in Michigan. In 1975, Judge Doss was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. She received a Masters of Arts in history from Wayne State University in 2000. On January 19, 1976, Governor William G. Milliken appointed her to the Common Pleas Court for the City of Detroit making her the first African- American woman appointed to a judgeship and the second African- American woman to sit on a trial bench in Michigan. She became a 36th District Court Judge upon its creation on September 1, 1981. She served as Chief Judge of her court and served on the State Judicial Council. In 1990, the Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court selected Judge Doss to serve on the Commission on the Courts in the Twenty First Century. She was elected three times by her peers in statewide elections to the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission. During her last year, she served as its vice-chairperson. Judge Doss is active in community affairs. She is a life member of the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women and former member of the boards of directors of the Michigan Metro Girl Scouts Council and the Neighborhood Service Organization. She is active in her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and is an active member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. In addition, Judge Doss and her family established the Doss Wahls Foundation, a private foundation that awards scholarships to diverse college seniors. |
Regional Leadership Awards
These awards are presented in recognition and celebration of professionalism, excellence and dedication to furthering the objectives of WLAM.
Recipients
2020 Honorees
Erin Flynn (Oakland Region)
Alison Love (Washtenaw Region)
Amanda Skeel (Tip of the Mitt Region)
2019 Honorees
Stephanie M. Brochert (Oakland Region)
Kirsten J. Silwanowicz (Wayne Region)
WLAM Washtenaw Region
2018 Honorees
Alexandria L. Casperson (Wayne Region)
Alena M. Clark (Great Lakes Bay Region)
2017 Honorees
Erin Klug (Oakland Region)
Jennifer Stallings Dewey (Wayne Region)
Elizabeth Welch (Western Region)
2016 Honorees
Tanya Lundberg (Oakland Region)
Torree J. Breen (Mid-Michigan Region)
2015 Honorees
Ellen E. Hoeppner (Wayne Region)
Kristin L. Murphy (Oakland Region)
2014 Honorees
WLAM Oakland Region
Kelly Brushaber (Western Region)
L. Nichole Smithson (Wayne Region)
2013 Honorees
Kristin A. Stone (Macomb)
Alena Clark (Wayne)
WLAM Mid-Michigan Region
WLAM Western Region