Raising the Bar Through

Networking, Practice Development and Community Service

BarNews   January 2014 - Vol 4, Issue 1

Feb. 20 - 2014 Barristers "Pins'n'Pinstripes" Event Join the DMBA Barristers Section and other young attorneys, law students, and friends from throughout Metro Detroit for a fun evening of bowling, networking, food and drinks.  Your $35 registration ($40 a the door) includes 3 hours of bowling with shoe rental, pizza, salad, soda, draft beer and house wine.  So register today and join us for a great time at the Garden Bowl (4140 Woodward) from 6:00 - 9:00. We'll see you at the lanes! 

March 6 - Celebrating Our Diverse Bar

More than 180 members of the Detroit legal community (including judges, attorneys, law students and affiliated professionals) were on hand at last year's "Celebrating Our Diverse Bar" event - the largest attendance to date.  Be part of the celebration as the DMBA and dozens of other local and affinity bar associations come together for one of the best networking opportunities of the year!  This year, the event has a new venue to accommodate our ever-growing crowd:  we'll be gathering at Buffalo Wild Wings on Randolph (on the edge of Greektown).  So mark your calendar now, and watch for registration information in early February!

April 12 - DMBA Foundation "In Seventh Heaven" Gala, Benefitting the For the Seventh Generation Program

Each spring, the DMBA Foundation hosts a party with a true purpose - raising money to support the For the Seventh Generation Program, which provides much needed goods and services to children in the foster care system and wards of the court.  Once again, this year's Gala will feature fabulous food, great entertainment, and plenty of fun.  So make plans now to join us at the Roostertail for what is sure to be a night to remember, benefitting children you will never forget!

Warmer weather is coming - and with it comes the opportunity to get out and enjoy Detroit with the DMBA Barristers Section!  Join us as we "walk the Streets of Old Detroit" at the Detroit Historical Museum, enjoying entertainment, great food and drink, and fun prizes as we go.  Best of all, this great night out will support the Barristers Section's community service programs throughout the year!  More details are coming in February, but mark your calendars now.

Visit www.detroitlawyer.org/upcomingevents.html for more information about these and other upcoming events.

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November 21st may have seemed a bit early compared to more typical holiday celebrations (and the weather wasn't exactly full of cheer!), but that didn't stop nearly 100 DMBA members and guests from welcoming in the holidays at SkyBar in downtown Detroit. 

The impending rain storm was no obstacle as professionals from throughout metro-Detroit came together to kick-off the season of celebration, including Patrick McLain (Kerr Russell) and Bruce Vande Vusse (Foster Swift Collins and Smith).

A Detroit native, Chief Judge Robert J. Colombo Jr. followed his family into the legal profession.  His grandfather, Emil William Colombo, was a principal in the law firm of Colombo Colombo Colombo, Vermuelen and Colombo. His father, Robert Colombo, was also a principal in that law firm as well as a Detroit Recorder's Court Judge and Wayne County Circuit Court Judge until retirement in 1985.

Chief Judge Colombo graduated cum laude from the University of Miami (Florida) in 1972, before enrolling at Detroit College of Law where he graduated cum laude with a J.D. degree in 1975.  For two years following graduation, he served as the clerk for the Hon. George N. Bashara, Jr. on the Michigan Court of Appeals. In 1977, he was an associate at the law firm of Riley and Roumel handling civil, criminal and domestic relations cases at the trial and appellate levels.

He joined the Wayne County Circuit Court Bench in 1982.  Now, as Chief Judge, he shares with us his perspective about the state of the Third Circuit Court, the role of the Chief Judge, and his best advice for young attorneys.

Click here to read our Q&A with Chief Judge Colombo. 

"When asked for a show of hands by those who had sponsors, about 15 of 200 lawyers present raised their hands. When asked how many of those sponsors were powerful people who could help get them promotions, raises or high visibility assignments, most of the hands went down. I conducted this exercise at a recent retreat for the Women Lawyers of Utah to emphasize the difference between sponsors and mentors and how landing sponsors, not just mentors, can more quickly advance your career."

Would a mentor or a sponsor better support your career path at this moment?  Click here to read the rest of this edition's "Practice Tips," provided by Elizabeth Jolliffe of Your Benchmark Coach. 

You can also contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@yourbenchmarkcoach.com for more information, including details an upcoming luncheon event on the topic.

DMBA Member Ven Johnson and Ven Johnson Law has worked on some of the biggest, most complex, and high profile injury cases in America and now Mr. Johnson tells us how he feels about his career, his law practice, moving his firm to Detroit, and where the legal profession in Michigan is moving in 2014.

Click here to read our Q&A with Ven Johnson.