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Bodman Donates $155K to Wayne State University Law School

4/14/2009

Bodman LLP donated $155,000 to Wayne State University Law School on the occasion of the School’s 12th Annual Treasure of Detroit Gala on March 28, 2009. Bodman also served as the Gala’s Presenting Sponsor. Reproduced below is a press release distributed by Wayne State in recognition of the gift.

Wayne State University Law School received a generous $155,000 gift from Bodman LLP at the 12th annual Treasure of Detroit Gala held at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit on March 28, 2009. Bodman served as the event’s Presenting Sponsor.

Bodman’s gift will support a number of needs at the Law School, including direct support for faculty and students, as well as a portion given to Dean Robert M. Ackerman to use at his discretion. Some of the pledge will also support the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and Community Development.

“Bodman can attribute a great deal of its success to the 44 Wayne Law alumni who are currently on our legal staff,” said David Hempstead, Bodman’s vice chairman and a Wayne Law alumnus. “In addition, we believe that in difficult times it is especially important to redouble our efforts to support great Detroit institutions like Wayne Law and its outstanding faculty, staff and students.”

Bodman is a long-time supporter of Wayne Law. Among other contributions, the firm has sponsored the annual Bodman LLP scholarship since the early 1970s.

“I would like to again thank Bodman LLP for its generous gift to Wayne Law,” said Dean Ackerman. “Bodman continues to play an active role in the training of our students and in the success of our alumni. We are grateful for the example set by the firm and eagerly anticipate others matching Bodman’s support as it helps us provide a high quality legal education to the next generation of attorneys and judges.”

Since its inception in 1998 the Treasure of Detroit has become Wayne Law’s premiere event for honoring those who have made a lasting contribution to the growth and success of the Law School as well as to the practice of law. This year’s honorees included George J. Bedrosian, ‘59, Carl Ziemba ‘48 (honored posthumously), and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly, ‘71.

This year’s event was hosted by Wayne Law, the Wayne Law Board of Visitors, the Wayne Law Alumni Association and Dean Ackerman. The Wayne Law Class of 1959 served as Official Event Hosts and the Wayne Law Class of 1984 served as Honorary Event Hosts.