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Raising the Bar Through
Networking, Practice Development and Community Service
 BarNews August 2013 - Vol 3, Issue 3
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| Upcoming Dates of Interest | |
8/23 - Applications Due for 2013-14 Inn of Court
9/12 - Drink 'n' Learn - Making the Best Use of Social Media, with Kathy Ossan (location TBA)
10/2 - MentorJet Speed Mentoring Event, co-sponsored with National Association of Woman Judges
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
10/3 - 2013 Night Out with the Bench and Bar
Buffalo Wild Wings, Detroit
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Thank You to Our 2013 Sponsors | |
Premiere Sponsors
Dykema
Kerr Russell
Annual Sponsor
Foster Swift Collins & Smith
These firms have demonstrated their commitment to excellence in our profession by being among the first participants in the DMBA's consolidated sponsorship campaign. |
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Message from the President | |
I had the pleasure of speaking at the recent Wayne County swearing-in ceremony for new lawyers that had recently passed the Bar exam (and this was no small feat in view of the 50% passage rate). The event was held in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center with Chief Judge Virgil Smith and Judge Lita Popke presiding. Lawyers eligible for admission to the bar, lawyers licensed elsewhere who had decided to practice in Michigan, families of candidates, friends and colleagues were present, along with a number of Wayne County judges. It was an exciting event and frankly just a lot of fun. After a long journey, undoubtedly difficult and undertaken with great sacrifice, these candidates were about to embark on an exciting new career.
The ceremony must have been very special for those who supported the candidates in their effort to pursue their degrees. In a larger sense, it was an affirmation of the important role lawyers have in our society. I would suggest that any lawyer desiring an uplifting experience and a reminder of why what we do is so essential to the fabric of our society consider attending this kind of event.
Most interesting were the reasons that those present to take the oath had for making the decision to become a lawyer. "An opportunity to help people in need." The chance to "serve the public good." I "want to make a difference." It is a "profession you can be proud of." I think lawyers can do things that are meaningful and important and yes make a difference. And a lawyer can be paid to think, talk and argue. Some would think that's a pretty good gig. One of the young lawyers admitted that he wanted to be a lawyer so he could play golf and be an adviser to corporate clients. No doubt an honest statement of intention.
Youthful idealism and enthusiasm can be infectious and invigorating. Whether you are a younger or older lawyer, do you remember what caused you to become a lawyer? It certainly is an extraordinary calling which creates the opportunity to help others and serve the public. So congratulations to the newly admitted lawyers: your effort and work to become a member of the Bar has rewarded you with exciting new challenges and responsibilities. And congratulations also to our colleagues throughout the State who continue to be a tremendous example of what lawyers can do to serve and promote the public good, and thereby make a difference.
Ben Jeffers, a member of the Dykema firm, has finished his term as President of the DMBA. Ben was a terrific President and the Board wants to publicly thank him for his hard work and capable leadership. He will continue on the DMBA executive committee. Judge Christopher Murray is coming off the Board as is Michelle Carter. We want to thank both for their efforts and contributions to the DMBA. They will be missed. |
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| Upcoming Events: "Drink 'n' Learn" and 2013 Night Out with the Bench and Bar | |
Sept. 12 - DMBA "Drink 'n' Learn" - Making the Best Use of Social Media
Social media can be a fantastic tool for developing your networks, sharing your expertise, and making valuable connections for you and your firm. But do you know what you should (and shouldn't!) be doing to make the most of your social media presence? Join Kathy Ossian, IT law expert at Ossian Law, and your fellow DMBA members for a timely discussion of best practices to make sure your social media use works FOR your practice, not against it. 
And, like all of our Drink'n'Learn events, there will be plenty of time for conversation and connection. Free for members.
October 3 - 2013 Night Out with the Bench and Bar
Would you like an opportunity to connect with your fellow lawyers and jurists outside of the courtroom? Join the DMBA on October 3 as we welcome members of the Bench and Bar for a post-work happy hour at Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown Detroit. No program, no briefs, no arguments (except for the occasional friendly debate!) - this purely social evening will allow everyone a chance to connect with members of the judiciary, friends and colleagues in a relaxed setting.
Visit www.detroitlawyer.org/upcomingevents.html for more information about these and other upcoming events.
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| Volunteer Opportunity: MentorJet "Speed Mentoring" at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law | |
Regardless of how long you've been in practice, or what your specialty may be, you have experiences and expertise that can help a law student as they create their own path. Come share your insights with dozens of students - all in one fun, rewarding evening!
 Once again, the DMBA is co-sponsoring a MentorJet program with the National Association of Women Judges. This "speed-mentoring"-style event allows attorneys and judges to share their knowledge and experiences with law students in 6-minute blocks of time; at the end of the six minutes, students move on to another conversation.
Over the 75-90 minutes of "mentor time," students will gather a wealth of ideas, perspectives and practical advice - and you will have had a fun evening sharing the benefit of your "lessons learned!" Of course, everyone will have a chance to network, mix and mingle after the mentoring conversations have concluded.
Attorneys and judges from all areas of the profession are invited to participate, regardless of your length of experience, practice setting or specialty. Other than attendance, the only commitment required of mentors is to submit a bio and headshot to the DMBA office by Wednesday, September 4 (this information will be compiled into a handout for students attending the event).
So join your peers and colleagues in sharing your unique experiences with dozens of law students - in easy, six-minute conversations!
Wednesday, October 2
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
University of Detroit Mercy Law School
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| Recent Event: 2013 Raising the Bar | |
2013 Raising the Bar, the DMBA's annual meeting and awards ceremony, was a evening of celebration, recognition and vision. Attorneys, judges and students came together to honor the accomplishments of the past 12 months and look forward to the coming year.
Among the luminaries gathered at the Detroit Golf Club for the festivities were Marianne Talon (Wayne County Corporation Counsel), Hon. Patricia Fresard (Third Circuit Court), John Runyan (Sachs Waldman), Brian Figot (Federal Bar Association),Reginald Turner (Clark Hill) and Hon. Gershwin Drain (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of MI)
United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade was the evening's premiere honoree, receiving the Association's Frank Murphy Award. Presenting Attorney McQuade with her award were outgoing Association President Benjamin Jeffers (Dykema) and incoming President Stephen McGraw (Kerr Russell).
Kathleen Lang and Scott Hamilton (both of Dickinson Wright) were among the attendees who took the opportunity to mingle with attorneys from other firms, such as Bodman's Michelle Czapski.
Arthur O'Reilly (Honigman) received the 2013 DMBA President's Award for his work spearheading the creation of our DMBA Inn of Court Program. Outgoing President Ben Jeffers highlighted the IOC program as one of the Association's key accomplishments of the year.
Kerr Russell attorneys Brett Asher, Ricardo Lara and Dan Ferris were on hand to congratulate their colleague, Stephen McGraw as he assumed the role of Association President.
Incoming President-Elect David Winter (David J. Winter PLC) was joined by members William Murray, Tracy Feliksa and Melissa Stewart (Stewart Law) to welcome in the start of bar year and the potential it holds.
Barristers School Partnership Program Chair Kimberly Yourchock (Jackson Lewis) presented awards to several outstanding high school students including Frank Watson III, Diahanna Vaughan, Jovante Gray and Gesalle Gregory.
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DMBA Inn of Court - Applications Now Being Accepted for 2013-2014 Program | |
Last year, some of Detroit's most respected judges, attorneys and law students became part of a distinguished group - the DMBA Inn of Court (IOC). Once assembled into teams, each member became part of a valuable learning and networking opportunity for themselves and their colleagues.
Here, Kim Seibert (Plunkett Cooney) and Kelsey Switzer (Honigman) gather advice from IOC Chancellor Hon. Christopher Murray (MI Court of Appeals).
 Based on the English model of legal apprenticeship, the DMBA IOC program involves monthly, team-led presentations that address issues of law, ethics, or practice. Some presentations interweave the practical with the humorous; some included guest experts and specialists.
Regardless of the style and content, each session provides valuable professional development and networking opportunities, such as the opportunity that Fred Acomb (Miller Canfield), Tom Paxton (Garan Lucow Miller) and Hon. Michael Hathaway (Third Circuit Court) had to share their experiences.
Applications for the 2013-2014 Inn of Court program are now being accepted. Because of the benefits and opportunities the program provides to attorneys of all levels, interest in the DMBA IOC is high among both new and returning applicants. If you would like to participate in this year's DMBA IOC program, your application must be received in the DMBA office by Friday, August 23.
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Member Benefit: 15% Off All American Bar Association Books Every Day | |
The DMBA is excited to announce a new benefit to all our members. Starting immediately, you save 15% off the general public price on every book available on the American Bar Association webstore ShopABA.org.
Simply use our special DMBA discount code
PAB8EDMB when checking out at ShopABA.org.
Plus, for every dollar you spend, the DMBA also receives a royalty payment from the ABA. Your purchases help support DMBA programming and events - with no additional effort on your part!
To start saving 15% on your ABA book purchases:
- Visit ShopABA.org and use our special discount code PAB8EDMB
- Call 1-800-285-2221 between 8:30am-6:00pm ET and use our special discount code PAB8EDMB
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| Avoiding Common Pitfalls When Drafting Requests to Admit | 
Which of the following Request for Admission would you answer and which would you object to?
A) Please admit that Defendant wrongfully and intentionally subjected Plaintiff to harassment and then attempted to cover up its employees' actions.
B) 1. Please admit that Plaintiff reported being harassed to Defendant on or about May 12, 2012. 2. Please admit that Defendant did not investigate Plaintiff's May 12, 2012 report of harassment.
The Request for Admission is a tool that seems so simple. Yet, improper or overly complicated requests will garner responses that are rife with objections rather than admissions and, thus, render what can be a useful tool in any litigator's discovery toolbox completely useless. We have all experienced this pitfall. Not only is this annoying, but it wastes time and money.
Abbott Nicholson P.C. attorneys Christopher R. Gura and Sarah L. Harwood have prepared a guide to crafting Requests for Admission that will minimize objections and prove to be most useful to your case. You can read and download this useful reference by clicking here.
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| Featured Member: Hon. Lawrence Talon, Third Circuit Court |  I was working in a Detroit hardware store in 1979 when I met my wife Marianne. After she began law school at Wayne, I decided to do the same. I immediately gravitated to criminal law and procedure, evidence, clinical programs, trial classes and internships with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Menominee County Prosecutor's Office and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. As a summer law school intern, I tried five misdemeanor jury trials on my own in Menominee County. I knew I wanted to be a prosecutor and was fortunate to be hired by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in 1985.
During my 25 year career with the Prosecutor's Office I handled crimes ranging from fishing without a license on Belle Isle to murder and everything in between. I found the work challenging, meaningful and fun. I still can't believe I got paid to do it. In 2010, Governor Granholm honored me with an appointment to the Wayne County Circuit Court where I sit in the Criminal Division. The view from the bench is very different. To illustrate, as a prosecutor at sentencing I would look at the judge and advocate for a sentence, but as a judge I face the defendant, standing just feet away, as I sentence them. I loved trying jury trials as a prosecutor and now as a judge l love presiding over them. I am repeatedly moved by the diligence jurors demonstrate as they work to reach a true and just verdict. I am proud to be spending my career working in our criminal justice system, first as a prosecutor and now as a judge. It is a privilege I take very seriously. |
| Featured Member: Daniel W. Linna Jr., Honigman | |
 I grew up in the far west end of the Upper Peninsula in Bruce Crossing, a small town in Ontonagon County. I loved my family's summer trips to Detroit. Every trip included a baseball game at Tiger Stadium. It was a joy to see what I had been hearing Ernie Harwell describe on the radio that summer.
For as long as I can remember, I was determined to become a lawyer and to live in Detroit. I have always been passionate about the city and supporting all things related to the State of Michigan.
Before law school I worked as an information technology manager and consultant. It was great training for the practice of law. I learned that the ability to write computer code is only as valuable as your ability to understand your client's business and problem solve. Law is much the same. Effective lawyers understand their clients' businesses. Then, they draw on their legal expertise to efficiently accomplish their clients' goals.
I concentrate my practice on litigating and resolving commercial, contract, and bankruptcy disputes. A challenge litigators face is getting trial experience. In law school, I benefitted from trying, and winning, a state-court case with a fellow law student and our professor. Then, 2½ years into my practice, I conducted by myself a six-day bench trial on a contract dispute in the bankruptcy court before the Honorable Steven W. Rhodes. We prevailed, and the verdict was affirmed by the district court and the Sixth Circuit. It was a fantastic experience. Since then I have arbitrated two cases to final decisions and tried a third case.
In preparation for these first-chair opportunities, I found it very helpful to attend workshops, read articles, and listen to lectures by highly accomplished attorneys. That said, there is no substitute for first-hand experience.
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| New Member Names! | |
We welcome the following new members who have joined the DMBA since April:
Ian Allen
Andrew Beck, Garan Lucow Miller
Molly Conway
Mark Cunningham, Kerr Russell & Weber
James DeLine, Kerr Russell & Weber
Amy Diviney, Melamed, Dailey, Levitt, & Milanowski
Rachel Enoch, O'Connor, DeGrazia, Tamm & O'Connor
Stephanie Fakih
Nadia Hamade, Attorney Source PLC
Lauren Howard
Dariel Ienna
Chinaza Ikeri
Mitchell McIntyre, Plunkett Cooney
Hassan Merhi
Naseem Shayota
Alexander Simpson, Bodman
Brande Smith
Jeffrey Smith
Mary Street
Kelly Thompson
Michelle Trent, Sommers Schwartz
Lakisha Wade
Ernest Wheeler, Bodman
Michael Zavier, Michael Z. Zavier
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