Honigman founder Alan E. Schwartz honored by New Detroit

Alan E. Schwartz, a founding partner of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, was honored by New Detroit recently at its 45th Anniversary celebration held at the MGM Grand Hotel. New Detroit's mission is "to work as the coalition of Detroit area leadership addressing the issue of race relations by positively impacting issues and policies that ensure economic and social equity." Throughout its history, New Detroit has chosen a person to honor every five years as a community leader and long-time advocate for racial equity in our region. Schwartz is currently a New Detroit Trustee Emeritus. He joined the board in 1979 and served as its chair in 1982.

Under his leadership, New Detroit launched the Summer Youth Assistance and Youth J.O.B.S. program; opened the Computer Skills Training Center for disadvantaged youth; completed and published an “Affirmative Action Detroit Style” report; combatted discriminatory practices in housing; and planned and conducted a series of City-Suburban Forums to establish a better relationship between Detroit and the suburbs.

Alan E. Schwartz is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School. He joined Jason Honigman and Milton Miller in founding the firm that is now Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, one of the largest business law firms in Michigan. His career goals were to make not just a better life for his family, but also to contribute to the community at large, hopefully, making a better life for all. In addition to New Detroit, Schwartz has a long list of community activities.

His community involvement includes:

• Detroit Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors since 1959
• United Way Board of Trustees since 1966
• Interlochen Arts Academy Trustee since 1974
• Detroit Institute of Arts Board of Directors since 1979 (now emeritus)
• Economic Alliance for Michigan Director since 1984
• Detroit Renaissance Board (now Business Leaders for Michigan) since 1979
• Skillman Foundation Board since 1990
• Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan Trustee since 1990
• Wayne State University Trustee since 2002

Awards that he has received include:

• Fred M. Butzel Memorial Award (1974)
• George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism (1994)
• Max M. Fisher Community Service Award (1997) from United Way for Southeastern Michigan
• Lifetime Achievement Award from the Detroit Institute of Arts (1997)
• Judge Learned Hand Award (2008) from the American Jewish Committee

About New Detroit

New Detroit is a unique and valuable coalition where Southeast Michigan's leaders come together to plan cooperative strategies and to demonstrate their commitment to the region. The coalition works to impact the actions of individuals and institutions by serving in a number of roles: advocate, catalyst, convener, and facilitator. The coalition is comprised of leaders from civil rights & advocacy organizations, human services, health & community organizations, business, labor, foundations, education, and the media and serves as a private, non-profit, tax-exempt organization.