WMU-Cooley Law School Alumni Distinguished Service Award

Award Recipients 2022

Hon. Timothy G. Hicks (1983 Michael D. O'Hara Class)

Judge Hicks was appointed to the 14th Circuit Court of Michigan in 1996 and was subsequently re-elected to the court in 1998, 2004, 2010, and 2016. During his 26 years on the bench, including six years as the court’s Chief Judge, he managed several thousand criminal and civil cases and presided over more than 250 jury trials. During his career, Judge Hicks served as the President of the Michigan Judges Association, Chair of the Michigan Supreme Court Model Criminal Jury Instructions Committee, and served as an instructor for the Michigan Judicial Institute. Judge Hicks was one of 12 state court judges who, from 2008 through 2010, piloted innovations in the conduct of jury trials in the state of Michigan. Before his appointment to the Bench, Judge Hicks worked in private legal practice for 13 years and prior to beginning his legal career, he was an educator serving as a teacher, counselor, and coach in two Michigan high schools.

Michael J. Owen (2010 Augusts B. Woodward Class)

Michael Owen has been a staunch supporter and advocate of WMU-Cooley Law School, especially of the school’s Tampa Bay campus, at both the local and state level. Mr. Owen has volunteered his time to mentor and offer guidance to WMU-Cooley students and recent graduates, including hosting several student externs. Mr. Owen has utilized his legal education and understanding of the law to benefit others and his community through volunteer service as a board member for the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Angel Foundation, My Warriors Place, and Southwest Bank. As a result of his active engagement with important issues in his community, he earned the trust of his fellow citizens to represent them as a County Commissioner.

Previous Recipients

2021 - Jon Cooper (1997 Grant Fellows Class) and Linda Kisabeth (1998 Ernst Snow Class)