DETROIT (Dec. 23, 2008) - Wayne State University Law School, Wayne Law Dean Robert M. Ackerman, the Wayne Law Board of Visitors and the Wayne Law Alumni Association are pleased to announce that the 12th annual Treasure of Detroit Gala will be held from 5:30 - 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit.

Since its inception in 1998, the Treasure of Detroit has been Wayne Law's premiere event for honoring those who have made a lasting contribution to the practice of law, as well as to the growth and success of the Law School. The annual event brings together some of the legal community's brightest minds and scholars. This year's gala will feature a reception, silent auction, dinner and awards program. (Honorees have yet to be announced. Past honorees are listed toward the end of this release.)

"The Treasure of Detroit Gala provides Wayne Law alumni and friends with a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to those who go beyond the call of duty and make a significant difference through their practice of law," Dean Ackerman said. "Additionally, this event also gives us an opportunity to show support for our students and pride in this Law School and community. I look forward to celebrating with Wayne Law students, alumni, faculty and friends at the Westin Book Cadillac in March."

Sponsorship opportunities for this event are available, and the Law School encourages its friends to participate. Funds raised through Treasure of Detroit will support grants and services for students, faculty scholarship and facilities improvements, including the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and Community Development.

"As a current Wayne Law student interested in pursuing a career in civil rights law, I am very thankful to everyone who is helping to make the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and Community Development a reality," said Rita Subhedar, '10. "It will serve as a place of knowledge and pride for generations of students, alumni and community members to come."

For information regarding sponsorship opportunities or giving to Wayne Law in general, please contact Toni Robertson, development assistant, at (313) 577-3113 or av4739@wayne.edu.

Information regarding honorees and tickets for the event will follow.

Wayne State University Law School has educated and served the Detroit metropolitan area since its inception as Detroit City Law School in 1927. Located at 471 West Palmer Street in Detroit's re-energized historic cultural center, the Law School remains committed to student success and features modern lecture and court facilities, multi-media and distance learning classrooms, a 250-seat auditorium, and the Arthur Neef Law Library, which houses one of the nation's 40 largest legal collections. Taught by an internationally recognized and expert faculty, Wayne Law students experience a high-quality legal education via a growing array of hands-on curricular offerings, five live-client clinics, and access to well over 100 internships with local and non-profit entities each year. Its 11,000 living alumni, who work in every state of the nation and more than a dozen foreign countries, are experts in their disciplines and include leading members of the local, national and international legal communities.