This award is named in honor of United States District Judge Avern Cohn, in recognition of his immeasurable contributions to the cause of legal scholarship and the study of legal history. As an active, prolific and thoughtful writer, Judge Cohn has led by example throughout his distinguished legal career spanning more than sixty years. As a notable collector of historic legal documents and artifacts, Judge Cohn has served to inspire others through his generous support and guidance of worthwhile organizations that promote the study of Michigan’s rich legal history, bestowing upon future generations the legacies of curiosity, scholarship and wisdom.
“The Court Historical Society is a proud auxiliary of the District Court. It was established in 1991 as a follow-up to the creation of the history office of the Federal Judicial Center. The Judicial Conference of the United States encouraged its organization when it said:
Knowing how things came to be the way they are contributes substantially to any assessment of current effectiveness and of appreciating the promise of proposals for change.
The Society does very well in fulfilling these expectations.“
Recipients:
2013 – David Gardner Chardavoyne
2014 – Judith Knudsen Christie
2015 – Peter J. Hammer & Trevor W. Coleman
2016 – Michael J. Lavoie
2017 – Kevin M.Ball
2018 – S. Martin Lindenauer & Elizabeth Oneal
2019 – Neil J. Lehto
2020 – No award (due to Covid)
2021 – No award (due to Covid)
2022 – Jack Lessenberry & Elizabeth Zerwekh
2023 – Judy Christie, Scott Zuchlewski & Will Lawson