James L. Liggins Jr. and B. Jay Yelton III, attorneys at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, are being honored for their volunteer work by Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo.
They are this year’s recipients of the Gulnar Husain Volunteer Award, which recognizes a CIS volunteer who emulates Husain’s desire to serve children with a consistent and unflinching passion. They will be recognized at the 17th Annual Champs Celebration on April 25.
Liggins and Yelton are being honored for their work establishing the CIS Career Prep Club. Now in its third year, the club is designed to connect students at Kalamazoo Central and Loy Norrix high schools to a mentor who will serve as their career guide from freshman to senior year. CIS described the pair as “visionary, collaborative, passionate and dedicated” volunteers, noting “Through the vision and ongoing support of Jay and James, students are connected to opportunities to explore careers and learn through the guidance of mentors.”
Liggins serves as senior counsel in Warner’s Kalamazoo office, where he runs a multifaceted practice encompassing construction litigation, property disputes and real estate concerns, as well as business contractual disputes, criminal defense, health care issues and emergency manager matters.
Liggins is recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers. He serves on the State Board of Ethics and is co-chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Judicial Qualifications Committee and president of the West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
Passionate about helping his community in meaningful ways, Liggins serves on boards for the Bronson Healthcare Group, Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Greenleaf Trust and Western Michigan University.
After more than 30 years as a litigator and manager of eDiscovery teams, Yelton now serves as a special master and discovery mediator helping parties and courts resolve disputes quickly and cost-effectively at Warner. He also serves as an adjunct professor with the Michigan State University College of Law and Cooley Law School.
Yelton is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® and as one of America’s Leading Lawyers by Chambers USA.
Committed to supporting the Kalamazoo community, Yelton serves on the board of the Dillon Complex for Independent Living and on the steering committee of CIS. For the past 32 years, he’s served as a coach, judge and member of the National Steering Committee of the High School Trial Mock Competition.
About Warner
By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP builds a better partnership with our clients. One of Michigan’s largest law firms, we’re focused on providing the best legal solutions and exceptional client service to organizations throughout the world. Connect with us on wnj.com, LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
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