Calendar

March 2023
  1. March 21 ICLE Calendar

    Negotiating and Drafting a Property Settlement Agreement online seminar livestreamed Tuesday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This intermediate/ advanced level course offers 5.25 CLE credits.

    The general admission fee is $395, Michigan new lawyers pay $365, and ICLE partners pay $365.

    —————

    Medicaid and Health Care Planning Update 2023 online seminar livestreamed Tuesday, April 4, from 9 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. This intermediate level course, co-sponsored by the Probate & Estate Planning Section and the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan, offers 3.25 CLE credits.

    The general admission fee is $165, section members pay $145, Michigan new lawyers pay $95, ICLE basic partners pay $145, and ICLE premium partners can attend for free.

    —————

    Adoption, ART, and Paternity online seminar livestreamed Thursday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. This intermediate level course, co-sponsored by the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, offers 2.75 CLE credits.

    The general admission fee is $165, section members pay $145, Michigan new lawyers pay $95, ICLE basic partners pay $145, and ICLE premium partners can attend for free.

    —————

    48th Annual Labor & Employment Law Institute, Thursday, April 13, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, April 14, from 8 a.m. to noon at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth. This basic/intermediate/advanced level course, co-sponsored by the Labor & Employment Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, offers 8.5 CLE credits.

    The general admission fee is $395, section members pay $365, Michigan new lawyers pay $195, and ICLE partners pay $345.

    —————

    Course books, audio CDs, and MP3s for most seminars are available if unable to attend program. Video replays for some programs are also offered. For additional information or to charge reservations to VISA, MasterCard, or Discover, call 877-229-4350 or visit www.icle.org.

  2. March 21 Mark the Date

    ‘Client Centered Representation’ focus of SADO webinar
    March 21

    As part of the 2023 Virtual Lunchtime Trainings, the State Appellate Defender Office and the Criminal Defense Resource Center will present the webinar “Client Centered Representation: What It Is and How It Wins Cases” on Tuesday, March 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

    In this training, attendees will learn about the history of client centered representation, and about its underlying conceptual framework. Attendees will also learn practical ways that they can implement client centered representation into their law practices, and how to avoid pitfalls that keep them from achieving better results for their clients.

    This online training will be led by Sean Maher, a criminal defense attorney for more than 27 years. He was a public defender in Atlanta and New York City before entering private practice. Based in the Bronx, Maher devotes significant time as appointed federal indigent defense counsel through his involvement with the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panels for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Maher serves on the faculty of Gideon’s Promise, the National Criminal Defense College (NCDC), Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop, and several trial skills academies

    To register for the webinar, visit www.sado.org/go/ClientCentered. Anyone with questions may contact CDRC Manager, Kathy Swedlow at kswedlow@sado.org.

     

    Section conducting 2023 Annual Summit online
    March 21 and March 28

    The Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan will conduct its 2023 Annual ADR Summit which will be held virtually over two Tuesdays, March 21 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eight advanced mediation training credits will be offered. 

    Each week, the Summit will cover different topics. March 21 will feature “Managing Negotiations in Mediation” with Tracy Allen of Global Resolutions PLLC. When negotiators are mismanaging their negotiation, and the end of the mediation is coming near, what techniques can people try? This presentation will look at techniques mediators can use to manage difficult negotiations, counterproductive negotiation tactics advocates or parties may employ, or circumstances that invite the mediator to act beyond our neutral role. Included are dilemmas such as overlaps, mediators put in the position of advocates or coaches, and mediating in a hybrid world

    March 28 will feature “‘Good Trouble’ and Mediation: Where the Search for Justice Meets the Neutrality Trap” with Bernard Mayer and Jacqueline N. Font-Guzman, authors of “The Neutrality Trap: Disrupting and Connecting for Social Change.” Many are troubled when they try to remain neutral in the midst of unfair systems, concerned that doing so supports the status quo and disadvantages those with less power, even though they see the need for change. This presentation looks at the intersection of power, social change and conflict intervention, and the relationship between “good trouble” and mediation. The presentation will look at the critical role of dealing with power differentials as the missing ingredient in mediation, and how to support social change in the midst of our conflict work. It will explore the “neutrality trap” and how to make our way out of the trap. 

    Cost for the Summit is $25 per day for ADR Section member, $50 per day for non-members. To register, visit https://connect.michbar.org/adr/home.

     

    ‘The Civility Project’ featured in ALA meeting online
    March 22

    The Association of Legal Admin­istrators, Metropolitan Detroit Chapter, will present “The Civility Project, with Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson” during an online meeting on Wednesday, March 22, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

    Americans are at their best when they can talk with another, disagree, even argue, but agree to keep the dialogue going. Unfortunately, too many people feel today like they can’t do that, and they have to avoid even speaking to people with whom they disagree. The Civility Project is changing that.

    Journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson have been longtime friends, despite their different perspectives on pretty much everything. The one thing they agree on is the importance of their friendship—which includes a healthy dose of disagreement and mutual respect.

    The Civility Project (https:// greatlakescivilityproject.com) seeks to bring people of opposing viewpoints together for healthy disagreement, personal interactions and constructive conversations. In this hour-long workshop, participants will engage in enlightening discussion, learn to listen to others, and learn why the listening is important.

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Agree to disagree

    • Engage in civil conversation

    • Build respect for each other’s humanity

    • Learn to listen to other perspectives

    • Use what you hear to challenge or affirm your own views

    • Stay curious

    • Agree to always return to the conversation

    • See the person beyond their politics

    • Understand that a conversation is not a competition

    To register for the free online event, visit https://aladetroit.org and click on “events.” Participants are encouraged to invite co-workers, friends, and family. An Outlook Invitation with the Zoom link will be provided upon registration to share with guests.

     

    Women’s Bar Association hosts Bar Briefs event 
    March 23

    The Women’s Bar Association (WBA), Oakland County region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, will host Bar Briefs—an informal happy-hour style networking event—on Thursday, March 23, beginning at 6 p.m. at Shift, 117 Willits St. in Birmingham.

    To register for the event, visit www.womenlawyers.org and click on “events.”

     

    Legal Briefs to feature law professor online
    March 23

    The Wayne State University Law School Legal Briefs program will feature Alan Schenk, distinguished professor of law, on Thursday, March 23, at 5:30 p.m. online via Zoom.

    Over the past six years, Schenk has researched and compiled the history of Wayne Law. His book, titled “Detroit’s Wayne State University Law School, Future Leaders in the Legal Community,” was published by the Wayne State University Press last year and showcases how graduates impacted the school. Attendees will learn more about Schenk’s research and his book’s publication.

    The Wayne Law Legal Briefs program features current legal content and Wayne Law information. The one-hour, virtual event is moderated by the development and alumni affairs team within Wayne Law. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Wayne Law are invited to attend, ask questions, and connect in dialogue.

    To register for this online event, visit https://law.wayne.edu/alumni and scroll down to “events.” Zoom login details will be shared with registered guests ahead of the event.

     

    Webinar to look at ‘The Essential Role of an Effective Legislator’
    March 27

    The Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy’s new State Oversight Academy will host a bipartisan conversation between two state elected officials to discuss 1) the role of the legislator in conducting oversight and 2) how to do great oversight. 

    The webinar “State Legislative Oversight: The Essential Role of an Effective Legislator” will be presented Monday, March 27, from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom.

    Speaking at the webinar will be panelists State Senator Kyra Hoffman (D-DW) and State Senator Jerome Zeringue (R-LA) with moderator Ben Eikey, State Training & Development manager, Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy.

    To register for the free webinar, visit https://levin-center.org. Anyone with questions may email the Levin Center at Wayne Law at levincenter@wayne.edu.

     

    ‘Ethics of Law Firm Advertising and Solicitation’ focus of webcast
    March 24

    American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education will present the webcast “Ethics of Law Firm Advertising and Solicitation: Keeping Pace in Today’s Race for Clients” on Friday, March 24, from noon to 1 p.m.

    A good reputation that results from ethical practices gives a lawyer or law firm a competitive edge. However, in the race to acquire new clients, law firms and their attorneys are not immune to lapses of ethical judgment that can lead to serious consequences. The rise of digital marketing, with its ease of use and immediacy of results, combined with increased pressure to grow client bases by attracting new clients online, has created a marketing environment where the need to break through the advertising noise sometimes tests the limits of established legal protocol. No law firm, regardless of practice area, size or scope is immune to issues relating to the Rules of Professional Conduct in the race to market to prospective clients.

    Ethics rules regarding solicitation and advertising have slowly adjusted to the times. Many law firms struggle with the need to remain competitive while wanting to adhere to regulations. The webcast will discuss the changing landscape with increased multi-state jurisdictional marketing, third-party lead generation and referral services—in lucrative areas including mass torts, class actions, and personal injury.

    This program will look at American Bar Association and state bar ethics opinions, court decisions and rules that relate to areas including digital marketing and social media, trade names, public relations, lead generation, ratings and rankings, responding to online reviews, and some areas that attorneys most likely have never considered. 

    Topics include:

    • The relevant Rules of Professional Conduct as they relate to marketing, advertising, and solicitation.

    • Avoiding issues of unauthorized practice of law when marketing toward a particular practice or jurisdiction.

    • Which state bars regulate my practice? And where potential disciplinary actions might flow from?

    • When does advertising potentially cross the line into improper solicitation?

    • The steps your law firm should take to ensure compliance.

    • A review of state bar and ABA ethics opinions, and court decisions that impact law firm business development.

    This course is for attorneys who want a better understanding of the operational and ethical implications of law firm marketing, advertising, and solicitation.

    All registrants will receive a set of downloadable course materials to accompany the program.

    Cost for the webcast is $199. To register, visit www.ali-cle.org.

     

    Vegas Night Scholarship Fundraiser hosted by BLSA
    March 25

    The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will host its Vegas Night Scholarship Fundraiser on Saturday, March 25, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Detroit Mercy’s Main Campus Ballroom, 4001 W. McNichols Rd. in Detroit. The event will include a silent auction showcase, casino-style games, raffle giveaways, music, and more.

    BLSA is a professional organization of students dedicated to academic enrichment, service, mentoring, raising social and political awareness, and networking. BLSA works to increase diversity in the legal profession by providing students with the necessary resources to succeed in law school. A large part of BLSA’s mission is to strengthen minority presence at Detroit Mercy Law by sustaining a competitive pool of law students.

    With this goal in mind, BLSA provides four scholarships to minority students every year: (1) 1L Denise Langford-Morris Scholarship, (2) 1L Book Scholarship, (3) 2L/3L Tuition Scholarship, and (4) 3L Bar Scholarship. Each scholarship is awarded to offset some of the costs associated with law school and admission to the bar. Additionally, BLSA uses funding to partner with local high schools to inspire young minorities to pursue higher education, specifically in the legal field. 

    To raise the funds for these scholarships, BLSA hosts its annual cocktail dress and casino-style Vegas Night Scholarship Fundraiser. Funds are raised through sponsorships, ticket sales, and silent auction donations.

    Tickets for this year’s Vegas Night Scholarship Fundraiser cost $30 for students and $60 for non-students. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit https://law.udmercy.edu and scroll down to “Upcoming Events.”

     

    Attorney to examine ‘Incentive Compensation’ during webinar
    March 29

    Maddin Hauser continues its 2022-2023 Breakfast Bites: Employment Law Series with “Incentive Compensation: How to Structure and Avoid Legal Pitfalls in Compensating Employees from Hourly to Executive” online Wednesday, March 29, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

    Speaking at the online program will be Ronald A. Sollish, shareholder, who serves as an executive committee member and chairman of the firm’s Corporate/Employment group. He specializes in employment, real estate, partnership, finance, corporate, and business law. 

    A member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, and Oakland County Bar Association, Sollish earned his law degree in 1988 from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and his B.G.S. from the University of Michigan in 1985.

    For additional information or to register for the webinar, visit https://maddinhauser.com and click on “events.”

     

    Former justices to be featured in WLAM online event
    March 29

    In honor of Women’s History Month, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan will host a panel discussion with former Michigan Supreme Court Justices Maura D. Corrigan and Marilyn J. Kelly.

    “Women of the Supreme Court: A Conversation with Two of the Women Leading Michigan’s Highest Court at the Turn of the Century” will be presented online Wednesday, March 29, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

    Corrigan, currently counsel to Butzel, was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1998 and re-elected in 2006. She served two terms as chief justice of the court, from 2001 through 2004. Her term was to end in 2014 but she left the court in 2011 to become the director of the Michigan Department of Human Services.

    Kelly, currently distinguished jurist in residence at Wayne State University Law School, was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1996, and retained her seat until her final term expired on January 1, 2013. She served as chief justice of the Supreme Court from 2009-11.

    To register for this online event, visit www.womenlawyers.org and click on “events.”

     

    Attorneys to focus on ‘Cybersecurity’ in today’s vehicles
    March 29

    As part of its Dykema Drives Auto Webinars series, Dykema will present “Cybersecurity” on Wednesday, March 29, from 1 to 2 p.m.

    As manufacturers continue to integrate digital capabilities and autonomous software, concerns over data privacy will grow, as evidenced by numerous respondents who view hijacking sensors and AI as major cybersecurity threats. Vehicles increasingly record and transmit personal information, and although the intended purpose is to help drivers and fleet operators, the same data in the wrong hands can lead to a breach under state law or permit stalking and hazards to persons and property. 

    This program will review the top cybersecurity risks impacting the auto industry, including best practices for risk mitigation.

    Speaking at the webinar will be Dykema’s Dante Stella, member, Detroit; and Cindy Motley, member, Chicago.

    To register for the webinar, visit www.dykema.com and click on “News & Insights.” 

     

    Panelists to explore ‘How Statehouse Journalism Affects Legislative Behavior’
    March 30

    The Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy’s new State Oversight Academy will host statehouse journalists to discuss 1) the role of the media in ensuring government transparency and accountability through oversight and 2) how media attention affects the behavior of politician who are supposed to be conducting or cooperating with oversight.

    The webinar “The Eyes of the People: How Statehouse Journalism Affects Legislative Behavior” will be presented Thursday, March 30, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom.

    Speaking at the webinar will be panelists Amelia Knisely, freelance journalist, West Virginia; Camryn Sanchez, Arizona Capitol Times; and Jonathan Oosting, Bridge Michigan; with moderator Adam Zelizer, assistant professor, Harris School of Public Policy - University of Chicago.

    To register for the free webinar, visit https://levin-center.org. Anyone with questions may email the Levin Center at Wayne Law at levincenter@wayne.edu.

     

    ‘Legal Fee Agreements’ explored in webcast
    March 30

    American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education will present the webcast “Legal Fee Agreements: Top 10 Mistakes and How to Fix Them” on Thursday, March 30, from noon to 1 p.m.

    An attorney’s fee agreements and engagement letters are designed to establish a “meeting of the minds” between the lawyer and client—on both the scope of the work to be performed and the ground rules each party will follow. 

    This one-hour webcast explores the top ten commonly made mistakes on fee agreements and engagement letters, and provides clear instructions on how to fix them. It will also review the clauses that should be in every fee agreement versus those that are used more selectively. 

    Webcast attendees will learn:

    • What to do with old templates with clauses you don’t remember the purpose of.

    • When editing a contract piecemeal can be dangerous, and how to clean it up.

    • How to not just have an ethical, ironclad contract, but also attract clients and engage them in the legal process.

    • What clauses should be in every agreement and how to write them well.

    • How MRPC 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees), and 1.6 (confidentiality) apply to these agreements.

    Questions submitted during the program will be answered live by the faculty. All registrants will receive a set of downloadable course materials to accompany the program.

    This program from ALI CLE will benefit all attorneys responsible for drafting engagement letters and/or fee agreements for their practice.

    Cost for the webcast is $199. To register, visit www.ali-cle.org.

     

    Women Lawyers Association of Michigan to raise funds at ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’
    April 2

    The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan invites members and guests to see “Legally Blonde the Musical” at the Fox Theatre on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. 

    For every ticket purchased, $5 will be donated to the WLAM Foundation. WLAM also invites attendees to Union Assembly, right next door to the Fox Theatre, for some networking before the show at 6:30 p.m. 

    To purchase tickets to “Legally Blonde the Musical,” visit www.313promos.com/WLAM.


    ‘Mom Lawyers Mental Health’ discussed online
    April 3

    The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan will conduct its monthly WLAMom online discussion Monday, April 3, beginning at 8 p.m. via Zoom. The April program will look at “Mom Lawyers Mental Health.” 

    To register for this online event, visit www.womenlawyers.org and click on “events.”

     

    State Bar sections to explore LGBTQ+ family issues
    April 5

    The State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and LGBTQA Section will present a “Roundtable Discussion on LGBTQ+ Family Creation, Dissolution, and Parentage Issues” online Wednesday, April 5, from 12:30 to 01:30 p.m.

    The webinar’s panel will navigate through the current legal challenges and complexities for LGBTQ+ families and explore what is on the horizon on marriage rights, parental rights, parental orders, and confirmatory second parent and step parent adoptions.

    Speaking at the webinar will be Jay Kaplan, staff attorney, ACLU of Michigan; Corinne Rockoff, associate, Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC; Angie Martell, partner, Iglesia Martell Law Firm PLLC; and moderator Kerene Moore, judicial attorney and referee, Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

    To register for the webinar, email sbmlgbtq@gmail.com or attorneywilling@gmail.com. For additional information, visit https://connect.michbar.org/lgbtqa/home.

     

    Digital evidence focus of MDTC webinar
    April 12

    The Michigan Defense Trail Counsel will present the webinar “Collecting the Dirt: A Guide to the Preservation, Collection, & Admissibility of Digital Evidence” on Wednesday, April 12 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

    As law firms and insurance carriers seek to collect, authenticate, and produce data (digital evidence), serious consideration must be given to the process of eDiscovery. It’s essential that litigators properly address data authentication and preservation challenges. Authentication is much easier to establish when ESI (Electronically Stored Data) is appropriately collected and preserved in a manner consistent with best practices. 

    This webinar overviews a legally defensible path to collect, preserve, and authenticate data for evidence admissibility. Speaking at the webinar will be Janetta Ksar of Zausmer PC and Michael Huntsman of Cross Xamine Investigations 

    Registration for the webinar is free for MDTC members and $25 for non-members. To register, visit www.mdtc.org/press-center/mdtc-events.

     

    ‘Investigators and Experts’ focus of CDAM program
    April 14

    The Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan along with the Macomb County Bar Association will present an in-person program on “Investigators and Experts: Discovering Access to Help Your Case” Friday, April 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Macomb County Circuit Court Jury Room, 40 North Main Street in Mt. Clemens.

    Speaking at the program will be Thomas Tomko, Macomb County chief public defender, along with private investigators and experts who service Macomb County. They will discuss how to procure the services of investigators and experts for a Macomb County case. Topics to be covered include: 

    • How a Request is Evaluated 

    • How an Investigator Can Assist You

    • Services Available from Investigators 

    • When to Request Investigator Services

    Cost for the seminar is $60 per person.  and includes refreshments. To register, visit the CDAM website at https://cdam.wildapricot.org or call the Macomb County Bar Association at 586-468-2940.

     

    ‘Juvenile Advocacy Training’ offered online by OCBA
    April 14

    The Juvenile Law Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association will present “Juvenile Advocacy Training: A Practitioner’s Guide to Juvenile Code” as an online webinar on Friday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom.

    This seminar for juvenile law appointed counsel will provide attendees everything they need to know about juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings in the Oakland County Court system.

    Topics of discussion will include:

    • Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings: Preliminary Hearings, Pretrial Motions

    • Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings—Pleas, Trials and Disposition

    • Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings—Perspective of probation officer

    • Know Your Judge/Referee (for Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings and Child Protective Proceedings)

    • The Business Side of Juvenile Court

    • Child Protective Proceedings: Preliminary Hearings and Pretrial

    • Child Protective Proceedings: Trials: Jurisdiction, Hearings on Petitions to Terminate Parental

    • Rights, Best Interests

    • Child Protective Proceedings—Dispositions, Review Hearings, and Permanency Planning Hearings

    • Role of Lawyer-Guardian ad Litem

    Speaking at the online program will be H. Elliot Parnes, H. Elliot Parnes PLLC; Nicole Bennett, Oakland County Probate Court; Cecilia Quirindongo Braunsoe, K and Q Law PLLC; Linette Ann Miller, Oakland County; Iris V. McCree, Oakland County supervisor Court Business Administration; Moneka L. Sandford, Law Offices of Moneka L. Sandford PLLC; Referee David G. Bilson, Oakland County Circuit Court; Kelly Collins, Oakland County chief of Juvenile Justice Division; Melissa Reid, Sixth Judicial Court; and Victoria Suber, Grosse Pointe Law Center, PLLC

    Credit has been approved with the Oakland County Bar Association for 5 Juvenile credits.

    Cost is $65 for OCBA Juvenile Law Committee members, $95 for OCBA members, $65 for OCBA new lawyers, paralegals, students; and $140 for non-members. To register for this online program, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.”

     

    Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee’s Brunch for Bars returns
    April 30

    The State Bar of Michigan’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is excited to announce the return of Brunch for Bars, an event that brings legal professionals from diverse backgrounds together to network, collaborate, and enjoy some fellowship.

    As is tradition, the event follows the annual Barristers’ Ball. This year, Brunch for Bars will be hosted Sunday, April 30, at Andiamo’s Detroit Riverfront in the Renaissance Center, the same location as the ball.

    Because of COVID-19, the event had been cancelled for the last three years. Brunch for Bars is free and open to all legal professionals, but registration is required. Space is limited so early registration is recommended. To register, visit bit.ly/BrunchForBars.

    For additional information about the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, visit www.michbar.org/generalinfo/diversityinclusion.