Former Commissioner Frank D. Eaman Presented with MIDC Award for Excellence in Indigent Defense

At the MIDC’s April 18, 2023 business meeting, the Commission established an annual award for Excellence in Indigent Defense, named for, and presented in this first year, to retired Detroit attorney and former Commissioner Frank D. Eaman.

“Of the many issues Mr. Eaman has championed, securing the right to effective assistance of counsel for Michigan indigent defendants has been the closest to his heart,” said Judge David Lawson and Kenneth Mogill in their written remarks summarizing the honoree’s long list of legal accomplishments. “For decades he was a driving force in the movement to ensure proper training and fair compensation for lawyers who take on the task of representing indigent criminal defendants. For much of this time, his was a lonely task; during those years, one could say that he was the movement.”

Mr. Eaman, joined by his wife Julie and other family members, appeared at the Commission meeting via Zoom to accept the award.  Mr. Eaman also received a Special Tribute for his work signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrest II.

Read full coverage of this event in the Detroit Legal News.