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Raising the Bar Through
Networking, Practice Development and Community Service
 BarNews February 2013 - Vol 3, Issue 1
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| Upcoming Dates of Interest | |
4/2 - DMBA Barristers "Bar Review" (location TBA)
4/17 - Drink 'n' Learn Event (topic and location TBA)
6/1 - "In Seventh Heaven" Gala
The Roostertail
6/6 - Raising the Bar 2013
Detroit Golf Club
7/18 - Barristers Summer Breeze
Sindbad's on the River |
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Message from the President - How May We Help You? |
 It is easy to agree that a local bar association must provide value to its members in order to continue to thrive. The hard part is defining what "value" means to a diverse and varied membership and legal community.
Those of us on the DMBA Board know that our members have a wide range of reasons for joining the DMBA and for remaining engaged. Some members tell us that they are involved for the social and networking events, and that our focus should remain on such opportunities. Others believe that the DMBA should emphasize professional skills development in its programming, with a particular emphasis on helping newer lawyers. And many others contend that the role of a local bar association is to help facilitate and direct pro bono and charitable engagement in the legal community.
All of these perspectives are legitimate. We know that to keep our membership engaged, we must work hard to provide value in different forms for different constituents. From 2011 to 2012, the DMBA Board refined our programming and events to focus on these three core areas: networking, professional development, and community service. Social and networking events like the Barristers Summer Breeze party and the holiday Jingle Mingle provided excellent opportunities for lawyers and judges to socialize in an informal setting. Informal "Drink 'N' Learn" events (such as our January 16 event at the Hard Rock), new-lawyer mentoring sessions, and the new Inns of Court program allow all us to learn from one another. And the DMBA and DMBA Foundation continue to sponsor important community and pro bono opportunities. The DMBA Barrister's School Partnership Program connects lawyers with local high-school students, the DMBA Foundation's For The Seventh Generation program fills an important need for our community's foster care children, and of course, the DMBA plays a large role in directing pro bono opportunities through the Access to Justice initiative.
I am honored to be serving as President of the DMBA for the 2012-2013 year and remain committed to the same core objectives. We continue to work hard to provide you with venue for networking, professional development and community service throughout this year. It's a terrific blue-print for continued success.
But we also want to improve and make sure we continue to define "value" in a manner that best serves our members. And so if you see room for improvement or growth, we want to hear from you. Do not hesitate to contact me ( [email protected]; 313.568.5340) or our Executive Director, Mitzy Sharp Futro ( [email protected]; 313.961.6120 x201). All of your suggestions are welcome. On behalf of the DMBA Board, thank you.
Sincerely, Ben Jeffers |
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| Upcoming Event: Celebrating Our Diverse Bar | |
Thursday, March 7, marks the return of "Celebrating Our Diverse Bar" - a highlight of everyone's late-winter calendar! Now in its fourth year, this no-pressure mixer is a great opportunity for members of Detroit's legal community to gather for networking, conversation, catching-up and getting to know new people. 
More than 20 local and affinity bar associations are participating in this year's event, and EVERYONE is invited. Registration is just $10 (cash bar) and is open now.
Last year's event sold out early - register today!
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| Volunteer Opportunities: School Partnership Program, Pro Bono Mentorship/Expungement Program, Gleaners Food Bank | |
2012 School Partnership Program
Each year the Barristers Section's School Partnership  Program ("SPP") brings a taste of the legal field into the Detroit Public Schools. Through an essay contest, mock trials, Law Day activities, career panels and other activities, lawyers and law students share their expertise, enthusiasm and personal experiences with participating high school students. We are seeking volunteers to take part in the various components of the 2013 program, ranging from a spare hour or two to working with students over the entire semester. Contact SPP co-chair Kim Yourchock at [email protected] fpr more information.
DLSC Pro Bono Mentorship/Expungement Program
Over the last 24 months, the DMBA has worked with Cooley Law School in matching up students and attorneys to represent clients in the criminal division of Wayne County Circuit Court and several District Courts as those clients complete the process of setting aside (expunging) old convictions.
We are currently seeking attorneys to work with the students on this semester's allotment of cases - 15 in all.
Attorneys supervise students through the client interviews (tentatively scheduled for March 21), then again in the courtroom on the date of the hearing (tentatively April 5). The students do the actual presentation to the Judge, with the attorneys being present as the "supervisor" required by the Court Rule, MCR 8.120. Your contribution is important in mentoring the student through the client interaction, creating a "comfort level" for all involved, and being a support mechanism through the court process.
This need is immediate, and the benefit to the clients in these cases is immediate and compelling. If you have an interest, please contact Dennis T. Donahue, Access to Justice Programs Administrator for the DMBA at [email protected] or 313-961-6120 ext 210.
Gleaners Food Bank Volunteer Day - March 23, 12:45 - 4:00 PM 
The Barristers Section's charitable committee has partnered with the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan for a volunteer day at Gleaners Community Food Bank on Saturday, March 23rd. We will be sorting and packing donated food in preparation for delivery to the more than 500 partner agencies that Gleaners supports throughout Southeast Michigan. The Barristers have committed to bring 10 volunteers to the event, and we still have a few spaces available. If you'd like to volunteer (or have any questions), contact Daniel Phillips at [email protected] or 313-223-3099.
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| Recent Event: 2012 DMBA Jingle Mingle | |
Why wait until December to celebrate the holidays? More than seventy DMBA members and friends gathered at The Fountain Bistro on November 29 for the second annual DMBA "Jingle Mingle" holiday party. Davidde Stella (Kerr Russell & Weber), Frank Aiello (Thomas M. Cooley Law School) and Antoinette Porter (DTE Energy) brought holiday red and green - and plenty of smiles - to the party.
Just outside the front door, the well-lit tree and marshmallow-roasting fire pit were certainly festive. But the real cheer was inside the Bistro, as judges, attorneys and law students all came together to ring in the holidays. Here, Frank Ortiz (left) and Scott Petz (right) - both of Dickinson Wright - join Third Circuit Court Judge Patricia Fresard for a laugh.
Dykema was the sponsor for the evening's festivities, and the firm's Ben Jeffers was among those enjoying the event (shown here with Honigman's Art O'Reilly and Third Circuit Court Judge Muriel Hughes).
Warm temperatures and clear roads may seem like a distant memory now, but the beautiful weather made for an easy trip for our suburban colleagues, including, from left to right, Alexander Jerome (Melfi & Associates) and Alexander Ayar and Jingle Mingle Chair Paul Millenbach (both of Foster Swift Collins & Smith).
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Recent Event: Barristers Section "Bar Review" - Detroit Beer Company | |
On February 5, nearly two dozen attorneys and
law students joined members of the Barristers Section Board of Directors for the the latest in the bi-monthly "Bar Review" series. Pictured here from left to right are Robert Murkowski (Miller Canfield), Tifani Sadek (Clark Hill) and Brian Sadek (Wayne County Airport Authority).
It was a hockey night in the D, and the Detroit Beer Company provided an energetic environment for discussions ranging from the highs and lows of practice, to the hidden gems of Detroit, to the best place to play ping-pong. Among those enjoying the conversations were Michael Carroll (far left) and Davidde Stella (center) - both of Kerr Russell & Weber - and Carl Gilmer-Hill, United States Department of Justice, Eastern District of MI (front right).
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| Nominations Now Open for DMBA Board of Directors | |
The DMBA Board of Directors Nominating Committee is currently developing recommendations for three positions on the Board of Directors.
Eligible candidates must be active attorney, judicial or public service members in good standing with the DMBA. Board members attend a minimum of 6 meetings per year, as well as support other DMBA programs, events and projects. Directors serve three-year terms, and may be re-elected to subsequent terms. New Board Members will take office at Raising the Bar 2013 (on June 6).
 Those interested in being considered as a candidate should email a letter of interest (including qualifications and experience) to Mitzy Sharp Futro, Executive Director, at [email protected]. "Third party" nominations are also accepted; nominees will be contacted to verify their interest.
The deadline for submitting a letter of interest or name for consideration is Friday, March 15.
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Member Benefit: Computer Access and Child Support Calculators at the ARC | |
DMBA members may use the computer terminals at the Attorney Resource Center (located in Room 1207 of CAYMC) without paying the hourly rental fee. In addition to standard Office applications and Internet access, current child support calculation software is also installed.
No need to go back to your office or call your assistant to run the calculations. Just stop by the ARC!
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Inaugural Inn of Court Season a Success! | |
Last spring, more than 100 judges, attorneys and law students gathered at the Detroit Athletic Club to convene the first season of the DMBA Inn of Court. Each member of the 10 teams took on titles such as "Team Leader", "Master", "Barrister", "Associate" and "Law Clerk".
Since that time, the first 7 Teams have made their presentations. Some interwove the practical with the humorous; some included guest experts and specialists. Still others highlighted the hidden talents of the team members. Regardless of the style and content, each session has provided valuable professional development and networking opportunities.
Our first IOC season will draw to a close this spring, and the application process will soon open for our second cohort (with sessions to begin in the fall). Watch for more information, or email Mitzy Sharp Futro at [email protected] to be placed on our interest list!
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| Quick Tips for Filing Applications for Leave to Appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals | |
 Michigan Court of Appeals District 1 Commissioners Clare Cylkowski and Julie Isola have prepared a succinct and practical guide to filing applications for leave to appeal. Their "Quick Tips" cover the essentials that every attorney should know, including: Filing, Service, Review, Defects, Motions, Transcripts, Emergencies & Priorities, Submission & Decision, and Reconsideration.
You can read and download this useful reference by clicking here.
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| State Bar of Michigan and Representative Assembly Award Nominations are Open! | |
Nominations are now open for the annual awards given by the State Bar of Michigan and the Representative Assembly. Information about each of these awards - including descriptions, qualifications, and nomination deadlines - is available at: www.michbar.org/programs/eventsawards.cfm
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| New Member Names! | |
We welcome the following new members who have joined the DMBA in 2013:
Courtney Adams, Law Office of Kevin Adams
Farayha Arrine, Dickinson Wright
Hassan Beydoun
James Cambridge, Kerr Russell & Weber
Michael Carroll, Kerr Russell & Weber
James Case, Kerr Russell & Weber
Michael Colasanti, Bodman
Adrian Cranford, Cranford & Associates
Catherine Edwards, Kerr Russell & Weber
Chris Ferlito
Robert Franzinger, Dykema
Jason Goldman, Goldman Suliman
Patrick Green, Dickinson Wright
Kimberly Grover, Stroia & Associates
Kathleen Halloran, Michigan Dept of Civil Rights
Jeffrey Herrick, Kerr Russell & Weber
Fred Herrmann, Kerr Russell & Weber
P. Warren Hunt, Kerr Russell & Weber
Richard Hurford, Richard Hurford Dispute Resolution Services
Timothy Iannettoni, Dickinson Wright
Saima Khalil
Olga Khessina
Sehan Kwon, Dykema
Kathleen McCarroll, Kerr Russell & Weber
Nicholas McElhinny, Shifman & Carlson
Patrick McLain, Kerr Russell & Weber
Christopher Mikula, Dykema
Yasir Muhammad, Xact Data Discovery
Christian Ohanian, Dickinson Wright
Miroslava Orduno-Rincon, Kerr Russell & Weber
Robert Pineau, Kerr Russell & Weber
Meaghan Riordan, Kerr Russell & Weber
Daniel Schulte, Kerr Russell & Weber
Michael Sneyd, Kerr Russell & Weber
Aaron Sohaski
Rita White, Law Office of Rita O. White
Robert Zora, Dickinson Wright
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