State Bar of Michigan

Congratulations to John W. Reiser III, who was sworn in as the new chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Representative Assembly Sept. 19 at the Presidential Inauguration & Awards Luncheon. Reiser, who is filling the seat of former chair Yolanda Bennett, also pictured here, began his service with the RA in 2004 and has since chaired several committees. He is also an active volunteer in his community and plays keyboard in the all-lawyer band, Soul Practitioners.

The Michigan Supreme Court has appointed Patrick J. Crowley, Claudnyse D. Holloman, and Elizabeth Kitchen-Troop to three-year terms on the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners. They were sworn in at the Sept. 19, 2024 Board of Commissioners meeting. Learn more about the new commissioners at loom.ly/ixqskLM

Congratulations to Joseph P. McGill, 90th President of the State Bar of Michigan. McGill was sworn in as president Sept. 19, 2024, by Hon. Brian K. Zahra during the Presidential Inauguration & Awards Luncheon. In his acceptance speech, McGill said he will work to bring Michigan's diverse group of lawyers together, further stating, "I pledge, and I ask all of you to pledge, not only to strive to advance your own careers but also to contribute to the advancement of our profession." Read more: loom.ly/JYxWj5s

In celebration of Constitution Day, the State Bar of Michigan wants to thank all Michigan attorneys for their vital role in upholding the Constitution, our justice system, and the values of our democracy. Our work and the professionalism with which we approach our duties are paramount to ensuring rule of law for our country. Learn more about the 12 Principles of Professionalism at michbar.org/professionalism.

Happy Constitution Day from the State Bar of Michigan! Today, we celebrate the foundation of our democracy and the document that has guided our nation for more than 230 years. At the heart of the Constitution is the rule of law, a principle that ensures fairness and justice for all. Learn more at michbar.org/ruleoflaw.

Elaine Stocking is the winner of the 2024 State Bar of Michigan Liberty Bell Award and will be recognized Sept. 19 at the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon. Also the winner of the 2023 Ingham County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, Stocking has 50 years of experience working in various roles in Michigan courts, including her service as a judicial assistant for five judges. Stocking began working “the window” in the 54-A District Court as soon as she graduated high school, was later trained as a clerk, and became a judicial assistant for Judges Claude Thomas and Charles Filice. She was known for always going above and beyond the call of duty, meanwhile earning a bachelor's degree from MSU. She retired from that position and went on to work for Judge Pamela McCabe, Judge Thomas Boyd (now a state court administrator) and stayed on with Judge Richard Hillman until her second retirement in 2022. “I have always enjoyed coming in every single day,” she said when she retired. “If you love what you do, it’s not work.” Learn more and register for the luncheon at michbar.org/awards.

William M. Wolfson is one of two attorneys being honored with the State Bar of Michigan's Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award at this years Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon Sept. 19. A leader in improving Michigan's justice system, he collaborated with officials to expedite restitution payments to crime victims and restructured Wayne County’s juvenile justice service delivery system. He also served as GLWA’s Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer, shaping environmental policies to protect Michigan waterways, served as former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer’s representative on the Charter Revision Commission and point person on casino gaming. Also has been deeply involved in his community, he serves on several on several boards of directors, including the Detroit Zoological Society Board and Life Directions, helping at-risk youth. Learn more about the luncheon and register at michbar.org/awards.

In recognition of his extraordinary governmental service, Edward Plawecki is one of two attorneys being honored with the Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award at this year's Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon. Plawecki has played a pivotal part in promoting and protecting civil rights across the state through his work with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and also served with distinction as a district court judge. He has been active in several public sector labor issues while also taking on the role of educator, teaching as an adjunct professor at several universities. Learn more about how you can attend the luncheon at michbar.org/awards.

Wendolyn Richards is this year's winner of the State Bar of Michigan's John W. Cummiskey Award and will be recognized Sept 19 at the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon. Richards is deeply involved in initiatives such as the Access to Justice Fund Statewide Steering Committee and Goodwill Detroit. She also co-chairs the Association of Pro Bono Counsel’s Voting Rights Task Force. Ms. Richards is active in professional and civic groups such as the Access to Justice Fund Statewide Steering Committee, Goodwill Detroit, and the Association of Pro Bono Counsel. Ms. Richards is also the co-chair of Miller Canfield's Election Law group. Richards's accomplishments include working with the ACLU of Michigan and partners to obtain an injunction in a national habeas class action to prevent the imminent deportation of hundreds of Iraqi nationals without due process in immigration courts and working with partners to establish the remote COVID-19 Small Business Clinic in Detroit During the COVID-19 pandemic. She also co-created and has chaired the Small Business Legal Academy Detroit, which has partnered with Detroit Start-up Week to hold clinics where would-be entrepreneurs can obtain pro bono legal assistance with common business questions and issues. Learn more and register for the luncheon at michbar.org/awards.

Congratulations to Marilena David, Andrew Densemo, Bonsitu Kitaba-Gaviglio, and Erika Riggs, winners of this year's State Bar of Michigan Champion of Justice Award. The award is given to lawyers and judges of integrity who adhere to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession, and demonstrate an extraordinary professional accomplishment that benefits the nation, the state, or community. Learn more and register for the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon at michbar.org/awards

Michigan attorneys can now renew their State Bar of Michigan law license for the 2024-2025 bar year. All attorneys are required to annually renew their license and complete mandatory regulation disclosures. The State Bar of Michigan uses an online system to make license renewals fast and convenient for Michigan attorneys. Renew your license today in the online Member Area at michbar.org/MemberArea.

Gary Maveal, professor emeritus of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School, is the winner of the John W. Reed Michigan Lawyer Legacy Award and will be recognized for his influence as a Michigan law school educator Sept. 19 at the State Bar of Michigan's Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon. Throughout his tenure as a professor at Detroit Mercy Law, Maveal dedicated himself to imparting not only legal knowledge but also a deep understanding of the lawyer’s role in advancing social justice. He taught courses in civil procedure, evidence, and remedies, molding countless students into adept legal practitioners.Beyond the classroom, Maveal served as Administrator for Detroit Mercy Law’s American Inn of Court Program for nearly three decades, mentoring hundreds of law students and helping them refine their trial advocacy skills. Beyond teaching, his scholarly contributions have significantly shaped Michigan’s legal landscape. He published extensively in the Michigan Bar Journal, for which he served as both editor and as a member of the advisory committee, and in other practitioner publications. Learn more about the luncheon and register at michbar.org/awards.

Former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Maura D. Corrigan is being honored with the State Bar of Michigan’s Robert P. Hudson Award, the highest accolade bestowed by the Bar, at the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon Sept. 19. Corrigan's career took her through serving as a state and federal prosecutor and assistant US attorney before she was appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals, and later the Michigan Supreme Court. Beyond her judicial career, Corrigan made a significant impact as the head of the Michigan Department of Human Services, where she had a significant impact on thousands of lives, particularly on children in foster care. More at michbar.org/awards

The State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program is offering a free, confidential virtual support group for attorneys to help each other work through stress, improve their overall well-being to maximize professional competency, and connect with their peers.

Starting Oct. 2, the eight weekly sessions will cover topics including gratitude, coping mechanisms for stress, dealing with difficult personalities, and more.

To register or get more information, please contact LJAP at [email protected] or (800) 996-5522.

Join us for the swearing in of the State Bar of Michigan's incoming officers for 2024-2025 during the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon Sept. 19 at the Detroit Marriott Troy. Tickets are available at michbar.org/awards.

Learn how to overcome perfectionism and improve your practice with Jordana Confino as she returns to the State Bar of Michigan to offer a free virtual wellness event Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. Learn about the hidden costs of perfectionism, how it impacts your life, and develop strategies to foster kinder self-talk, a growth mindset, and a more empowered approach to your work. Register at loom.ly/rasMMJ4

The State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyer Referral Service, a program that pairs potential clients with attorneys best suited to help them in their area, currently has a significant need for attorneys in the metro Detroit region. The service is also is a way for lawyers to expand their practice and help meet an important public need.

Right now, that need is the greatest in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. While LRS is always accepting attorneys from all regions and in all practice areas, they are experiencing a more significant shortage in those counties.

To learn more or become a panel member, go to michbar.org/lrs.

The center, stretching one million square feet across seven buildings, will be the new home of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Wayne County Clerk’s Office, Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, Wayne County Adult Detention Facility, and the Wayne County Third Judicial Circuit—Criminal Division. loom.ly/pc_Ey_o

Here’s an inside look at Wayne County’s new Criminal Justice Center Two years later than expected, the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center will officially open on Sept. 3.

The bipartisan JUDGES Act is now awaiting consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives and aims to address longstanding requests from the judiciary to help with rising caseloads and personnel shortages in short-staffed districts in states like California, Texas and Delaware. https://loom.ly/qYeCtio

Despite all the wellness resources available to lawyers, the stress of law practice can still be difficult to manage. Erin Clifford, health and wellness coach offered up tried-and-true wellness strategies at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting. https://loom.ly/-hU4uOo

Stress busters: 6 ways to achieve work-life harmony Despite the plethora of wellness resources available to lawyers, the stress of law practice can still be difficult to manage, said Erin Clifford, health and wellness coach and partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago. “Work-life harmony” is especia

The Newaygo County Circuit Court ruled the Brooks Township's ban on new cemeteries was unconstitutional. loom.ly/UpEUIQA

West Michigan couple wins lawsuit over constitutional right to open green cemetery A West Michigan couple is one step closer to opening their green cemetery in Newaygo County.

The practice "violated the people’s constitutionally guaranteed right to propose and enact laws through the initiative process," the justices wrote in the majority opinion. loom.ly/BquDOx8

Michigan Supreme Court strikes down 'adopt and amend,' setting up increase to minimum wage Justices wrote the Michigan Legislature lacked authority to adopt and amend petition initiatives which sought to increase minimum wage.

The State Bar of Michigan's Face of Justice program recently gave students a chance to network with judges and attorneys as part of MSU College of Law's Prelaw Day. The event was designed to help recruit students into the legal profession and to show them potential career paths.

Join us as we celebrate the inauguration of Joseph P. McGill, the 90th president of the State Bar of Michigan! Tickets are now available for Presidential Inauguration & Awards Luncheon on September 19, 2024, at the Detroit Marriott Troy. For more information and tickets, visit michbar.org/awards

The 5-2 decision is one of the most significant environmental protection measures in Michigan in years, coming after four years of battles between state officials and operators of poultry and hog feeding operations. loom.ly/t27e6nQ

In significant decision for Michigan’s waters, state Supreme Court rules EGLE has authority to do its job The Michigan Supreme Court gave the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy some disputed discretion in implementing rules on agricultural water pollution.

The 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County is looking to fill a judicial vacancy. Applications must be submitted electronically and received by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024. To be considered for this position, you must be a State Bar of Michigan member who meets the legal qualifications for this office and reside within the judicial district. Learn more at https://loom.ly/9cSzKxc

Corporate transparency and the unauthorized practice of law are among the hot topics that lawyers have a responsibility to know how the issues apply to them and their clients, according to a panel of legal ethicists at the American Bar Association 2024 Annual Meeting in Chicago. loom.ly/wH3b7Eg

Emerging ethical issues you should know Corporate transparency and the unauthorized practice of law are among the hot topics that lawyers have a responsibility to know how the issues apply to them and their clients, according to a panel of legal ethicists at the American Bar Association 20

In Memoriam information is shared monthly and published in the Bar Journal as soon as possible after receiving it. These were shared in the July/August 2024 issue. To notify us of the passing of a loved one or colleague, please email [email protected].

Congrats to Reginald M. “Reggie” Turner and Wendy W. Richards, the Michigan State Bar Foundation 2024 award recipients. Read more about Turner and Richards in the Michigan Bar Journal. loom.ly/mALC43Q

Not all attorneys are familiar with their obligations regarding reporting allegations of attorney misconduct, including that failure to report may itself be professional misconduct. Read this month's Michigan Bar Journal for a deeper understanding of the importance of reporting misconduct. loom.ly/CKyITu8

Reviewing the obligation to report potential misconduct I have discovered that many attorneys are unfamiliar with their obligations regarding reporting allegations of attorney misconduct. Lack of reporting is problematic for multiple reasons, including that failure to report may itself be professional misconduct. I hope to provide some guidance and clari...