Former Executive Director Presented "Justice For All" Honor

In March 2023, the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM) honored Miriam Siefer, former Executive Director of the Federal Community Defender for the Eastern District of Michigan, with the "Justice for All" Award.

At an award dinner, CDAM President Arthur Weiss praised Ms. Siefer's long tenure as chief of the federal office and commitment to providing high-quality indigent defense in Michigan.

CDAM also presented the first award for "Penny R. Beardslee Excellence In Education" to Professor Marjorie P. Russell. The award is presented in honor of Ms. Beardslee, who worked as an attorney at the federal defender office until her untimely passing. Ms. Beardslee was a tireless defender of indigent rights and helped establish CDAM's training program for young defense attorneys in Michigan. Professor Russell accepted the award with a speech encouraging defenders to boldly and creatively stand up for clients.