Calendar

1. December 6 Mark the Date

   ‘Friend of the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Training’ offered online
   December 5-7, 12-13
   The Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) and Friend of the Court Bureau (FOCB) will present the “Friend of the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Training” online Tuesday through Thursday, December 5-7, and Tuesday and Wednesday, December 12-13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day via Zoom.
   MCR 3.224 provides that the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) will establish training and qualification requirements for persons conducting each type of alternative dispute resolution activity.
   This virtual 20-hour training meets SCAO’s training requirements for friend of the court staff to conduct facilitative and information-gathering conferences and friend of the court domestic relations mediation.
   Due to the interactivity of the webinar, participation will be limited to no more than 24 participants. MJI will ensure that as many courts are included in the training as possible. By registering for this webinar, staff is committed and required to attend all sessions. If there is any reason staff members cannot attend all sessions, they should not register.
   To register for the training, visit https://mjieducation.mi.gov and click on “events.” Once registration is approved by MJI, attendees will receive a confirmation e-mail from Zoom with a personal link to join online.
   
   ‘Problem-Solving Courts’ virtual training offered
   December 6
   The Michigan Judicial Institute and Problem-Solving Courts (PSC) will conduct a “Fundamentals of Problem-Solving Courts” virtual program on Wednesday, December 6.
   This collaborative training presented by SCAO and the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) will focus on the fundamentals of a successful problem-solving court.  This training is ideal for new problem-solving court teams and team members, is recommended for more-experienced team members who want a refresher, and is required for judges and coordinators of programs receiving first-year funding through any SCAO problem-solving court grant program.  This training will be held virtually via Zoom.
   For registration information, contact PSC@courts.mi.gov. Once a registration is approved, attendees will receive a confirmation e-mail.
   
   Attorney gives ‘Update on the State of Criminal Law’
   December 12
   The Oakland County Bar Association will present “Update on the State of Criminal Law 2023 Part Two” as a webinar online Tuesday, December 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   This webinar will provide an overview of the most recent published Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court cases with a focus on sentencing decisions. It will also review the most important decisions from the United States Supreme Court. Speaking at the webinar will be Alona Sharon, of Alona Sharon PC.
   Credit has been approved with the OCBA for 1.50 Criminal credits and 1.50 Juvenile credits.
   Cost for the webinar is $12 for OCBA members pre-registration and $25 for non-members pre-registration. Oakland County MIDC court appointed attorneys can attend for free.  
   To register for this webinar, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.”
   
   ‘Problem-Solving Courts Certification’ explored
   December 13
   The Michigan Judicial Institute and Problem-Solving Courts (PSC) will conduct a “Problem-Solving Courts Certification Process” virtual program on Wednesday, December 13, via Zoom.
   This training will provide a comprehensive overview of the PSC certification process, what is required to achieve certification, and the certification site visit process. This training is intended for coordinators and other leaders of adult problem-solving courts, especially those who have a certification site visit in 2024.  
   For registration information, contact PSC@courts.mi.gov. Once a registration is approved, attendees will receive a confirmation e-mail.
   
   Annual FBA Holiday Party scheduled in Detroit
   December 13
   The Federal Bar Association, Easter District of Michigan Chapter, will host its Annual Holiday Party Wednesday, December 13, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Beaubien Room at the Atheneum Hotel and Conference Center, 1000 Brush Street in Detroit.  
   Attendees will be able to enjoy great food, camaraderie, adult beverages, and live entertainment.  Significant others are most welcome.
   Tickets cost $65 for FBA members and $85 for non-members. To register for the party, visit https://fbamich.org and click on “events.”
   
   ‘Reviewing Bar Admissions’ webinar offered by MJI
   December 13
   The Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) is pleased to offer the webinar “Reviewing Bar Admissions: Avoiding Common Pitfalls” on Wednesday, December 13, from noon to 1 p.m.
   Maribeth Graff of the Michigan Board of Law Examiners will lead a succinct overview of the steps required to swear in a Michigan attorney and ways to ensure a candidate is not a fraudulent one. She will answer such questions as:
   • What do I need to do if an out of state attorney is petitioning to appear before my court?
   • What needs to happen if I’m asked to swear in a new attorney candidate?
   Registration for this webinar is limited to judicial and quasi-judicial officers. To register, visit https://mjieducation.mi.gov and scroll down to “Upcoming MJI Events.”
   
   
   Online training focuses on ‘SANE Exam’
   December 13
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM) Violence Against Women Project (VAWP) presents the online interactive training on “Understanding the SANE Exam - Using Your SANE in Court” Wednesday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. via Zoom.
   As more jurisdictions around the state are utilizing the Sexual Assault Nurse Examination / Strangulation Assessment (SANE) programs, sexual assault nurse examiner testimony is becoming an integral part of adolescent and adult sexual assault cases. This training will focus on understanding medical-forensic examinations and strangulation assessments in the adolescent and adult patient.
   Kimberly Hurst, founder, and  executive director of  Avalon Healing Center in Detroit will be presenting on this portion of the training.  The training will also cover qualifying a SANE as an expert, how to effectively use a SANE on direct examination /re-direct and using a SANE exam as corroborating evidence in your case-in-chief. This training will be interactive with time allotted for discussions, questions, and practice direct from volunteers time permitting.   
   This training is designed and targeted to prosecutors newer to handling adolescent or adult sexual assault cases or those looking for a refresher. Preference will be given to prosecutors if the training fills up.  Other disciplines will be added to the waitlist.
   This training satisfies 6.5 hours of continuing legal education for purposes of PAAM’s Best Practices Recommendations
   To register for this free training, prosecutors or assistant prosecutors should visit www.michiganprosecutor.org and click on “training.”  For additional questions, contact training coordinator Katlyn Bolan at bolank4@michigan.gov.
    
   ‘DEIA Allies Conference’ presented by FBA online
   December 14
   The Bankruptcy and Diversity Committees of the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, will present the “DEIA Allies Conference” online Thursday, December 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
   The conference will explore diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through allyship. Participants can join for a dialogue on allyship: what it is, why it’s important, and how to be an ally. This event will bring together top professionals to discuss what allyship means to them, how it has impacted their careers, and how to advocate for yourself and others. Presenters will include:
   • Panel 1—U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy and Saul Green, Of Counsel, Miller Canfield.
   • Panel 2—Bankruptcy Court Judges Joel Applebaum and Tiara Patton.
   • Panel 3—U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison and U.S. Trustee Andrew Vara.
   Bankruptcy Court Judge Mark Radon will moderate the conference.
   To register for the free conference, visit www.fbamich.org and click “events.” Anyone with questions may email Kelley Callard at Kelly.Callard@usdoj.gov or Paul Hage at phage@taftlaw.com.
   
   Cocktail Sip to raise funds
   December 14
   The Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (BWLAM ) is again partying with a purpose with its Annual Cocktail Sip Fundraiser on Thursday, December 14, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Garden Theater, 3929 Woodward Avenue in Detroit.
   The event will feature a live band with DJ WAX TAX-N DRE, food, and cash bar.  Money raised during the event will go to support programs and community outreach.
   Cost for the event is $70 per person and $35 for law students.  For additional information or to register, visit www.blackwomenlawyers.org and click on “events.”
   
   Holiday Party hosted by ALA in Royal Oak D
   December 14
   The Association of Legal Administrators, Metropolitan Detroit Chapter, will host its Holiday Party with fun, food, cocktails and bowling on Thursday, December 14, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Emagine Royal Oak, 200 N Main St.
   The party will feature a dinner buffet, drinks, and dessert in the High Roller Room (2nd floor) with four bowling lanes, a billiard table, Ms. Pacman, and private bar. Business partners, members, guests and colleagues are invited to attend.
   Also during the party, ALA will also be collecting supplies for Healthy Home Baskets.  Anyone with questions may contact Tiffany Knobloch at tiffany.knobloch@ams globalimmigration.com
   To register for the ALA Holiday Party, visit https://aladetroit.org.
   
   Attorney to discuss ‘Defending PPOs’ in webinar
   December 14
   The Criminal Defense Association of Michigan will present “Defending PPOs” online Thursday, December 14, from 11 a.m.  to noon via Zoom.  
   Attorney Richard W. Schaaf will be presenting during the webinar.  Schaaf, of OWL Legal Services PLC in Marysville, is a former judicial court clerk and former Michigan attorney general office extern.  He is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School and Western Michigan University.
   Cost for the training is $40 for CDAM members and $50 for non-members. To register for the webinar, visit https://cdam.wildapricot.org.
   
   Victim advocates discuss ‘Cases With Colleagues’ online
   December 14
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan’s Victim Services Training Unit (VSTU) will host the online discussion “Cases With Colleagues” Thursday, December 14, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   Prosecution office-based victim advocates are invited to join together for a peer-to-peer discussion about case situations victim advocates encounter. The VSTU will facilitate this discussion, encouraging attendee participation.
   Victim advocates encounter multiple challenges as they navigate the criminal justice system with crime victims. Some of those challenges include helping a victim through a case that is dismissed or when there is an acquittal; cases with multiple victims; advocates working on multiple cases at one time in multiple courtrooms; working with child victims; interacting constructively with community service organizations; cases with out-of-town victims; difficulties in effectively communicating with other participants involved in the case; cases where it seems nothing is going right and more. Victim advocates can take advantage of this opportunity to share the challenges they are facing in their cases and provide mutual support to work toward positive outcomes.
   To register for the online discussion, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.”  
   Anyone with questions may contact Alex McGowan at McGowan A1@michigan.gov, Bill Dailey at  DaileyB2@michigan.gov, or Jeannie Wernet at WernetJ@michigan. gov.
   This training is supported by a Crime Victim Rights Award. This award was made to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim Services.
   
   Local attorneys to speak at online ‘Evidence Boot Camp’
   December 15
   The Criminal Defense Association of Michigan will present “Evidence Boot Camp D” online Friday, December 15, from 9 a.m.  to 5 p.m. via Zoom.  
   This program offers hands-on small group skills training. Attendees do not have to take prior Boot Camps to attend this Boot Camp. Speaking at the training will be Thomas C. Cranmer and Edward A. Bajoka.
   A principal at Miller Canfield, Cranmer is the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group co-leader. With more than 40 years of courtroom experience, his practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation and “bet-the-company” litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Cranmer served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Oakland County and an assistant chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.  He is a co-author of a Michigan treatise, “Civil Trials and Evidence,” a contributing author to “Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial/Sixth Circuit,” and he has served as an adjunct professor of law for Western Michigan University Cooley Law School teaching Evidence.
   Bajoka is the lead attorney and founder of Bajoka Law Group PLLC and You Are Home Immigration Law for families. He has represented individuals in almost every type of criminal case from the routine “DUI case” to some of the biggest white-collar criminal cases in state and federal courts. His immigration practice is focused on those who are facing deportation because of a criminal issue or conviction. Bajoka is the author of “LexisNexis Practice Guide: Michigan Criminal Law” which covers the entire process of a criminal trial in Michigan—from initial case evaluation to appeals and appellate issues to use of DNA evidence at trial and more.
   Cost for the training is $320 for CDAM members and $400 for non-members.To register for the training, visit https://cdam.wildapricot.org.
   
   ‘Traffic Safety Legal Update’ presented online by PAAM
   December 15
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan will present the Traffic Safety Training Program Webinar “End-of-Year Traffic Safety Legal Update and Overview of Michigan’s Current Marihuana Laws” on Friday, December 15, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   This end-of-year presentation will provide prosecutors and law enforcement a comprehensive update on traffic safety legal issues that arose in 2023. Topics will include a traffic safety case law update, an overview of Michigan’s marihuana laws, and how they affect OWI investigations.
   Speaking at the webinar will be Kenneth Stecker and Kinga Canike, traffic safety resource prosecutors for the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan.
   This course is approved for 1 hour of credit under PAAM’s recommended CLE Best Practice.
   To register for this free webinar, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “training.”  
   After registering, pending approval, attendees will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with instructions on how to join the webinar.  
   Anyone with questions or in need of any assistance registering for the webinar should contact Amy Gronowski at gronowskia@michigan.gov or at 517-643-2114.
   
   Local attorneys to speak at online ‘Evidence Boot Camp’
   December 15
   The Criminal Defense Association of Michigan will present “Evidence Boot Camp D” online Friday, December 15, from 9 a.m.  to 5 p.m. via Zoom.  
   This program offers hands-on small group skills training. Attendees do not have to take prior Boot Camps to attend this Boot Camp. Speaking at the training will be Thomas C. Cranmer and Edward A. Bajoka.
   A principal at Miller Canfield, Cranmer is the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group co-leader. With more than 40 years of courtroom experience, his practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation and “bet-the-company” litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Cranmer served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Oakland County and an assistant chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. He is a co-author of a Michigan treatise, “Civil Trials and Evidence,” a contributing author to “Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial/Sixth Circuit,” and he has served as an adjunct professor of law for Western Michigan University Cooley Law School teaching Evidence.
   Bajoka is the lead attorney and founder of Bajoka Law Group PLLC and You Are Home Immigration Law for families. He has represented individuals in almost every type of criminal case from the routine “DUI case” to some of the biggest white-collar criminal cases in state and federal courts. His immigration practice is focused on those who are facing deportation because of a criminal issue or conviction. Bajoka is the author of “LexisNexis Practice Guide: Michigan Criminal Law” which covers the entire process of a criminal trial in Michigan—from initial case evaluation to appeals and appellate issues to use of DNA evidence at trial and more.
   Cost for the training is $320 for CDAM members and $400 for non-members. To register for the training, visit https://cdam.wildapricot.org.
   
   ‘Reentry Holiday Party’ hosted by SADO
   December 16
   The State Appellate Defender Office’s Project Reentry will celebrate another banner year at its “Reentry Holiday Party” on Saturday, December 16, from noon to 2 p.m. at SADO Detroit, 3031 W. Grand Blvd. Suite 450, in Detroit.
   Guests will be able to reconnect with friends and family of the reentry community and share gratitude, memories, and some incredible accomplishments from the last year. The party includes the annual Ugly Sweater Contest with prizes for the ugliest sweater. Lunch will be served.
   Registration is requested by December 16. To register, visit www.sado.org/go/holiday23. Anyone with questions may call 313-420-2955 or email akohn@sado. org.
   
   Lunch & Learn discussion to focus on victim rights
   December 21
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan’s Victim Services Training Unit will host an online lunch-time discussion between and among victim advocates. The Victim Advocates Lunch & Learn “Lettuce Talk” will take place online Thursday, December 21, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   PAAM VSTU plans to offer victim rights related topics to prompt discussion. It also looks to this opportunity as a way to maintain community among victim advocates across Michigan. This meeting is for AG advocates and prosecutor’s-based victim advocates only.
   To register for the online discussion, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.” After registration is approved, participants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom access link.
   Anyone with questions may contact Alex McGowan at McGowan A1@michigan.gov, Bill Dailey at  DaileyB2@michigan.gov, or Jeannie Wernet at WernetJ@michigan. gov.
   This training is supported by a Crime Victim Rights Award. This award was made to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim Services.