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Calendar

1. December 04 Mark the Date
   Friend of the Court ADR training offered online
   December 3-5, 10-11
   The Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI), in collaboration with the Friend of the Court Bureau (FOCB), will present the “Friend of the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Training” online Tuesday through Thursday, December 3-5, and Tuesday and Wednesday, December 10-11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day via Zoom.
   MCR 3.224 provides that the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) will establish training and qualification requirements for persons conducting each type of alternative dispute resolution activity.
   This virtual 20-hour training meets SCAO’s training requirements for friend of the court staff to conduct facilitative and information-gathering conferences and friend of the court domestic relations mediation.
   Due to the interactivity of the webinar, participation will be limited to no more than 24 participants. MJI will ensure that as many courts are included in the training as possible.
   By registering for this webinar, staff is committed and required to attend all sessions. If there is any reason staff members cannot attend all sessions, they should not register.
   To register for the training, visit https://mjieducation.mi.gov and click on “events.” Once registration is approved, MJI will notify attendees of their acceptance to the training
   
   ‘Fundamentals of Problem-Solving Courts’ offered online
   December 4-5
   The Michigan Judicial Institute will present “Fundamentals of Problem-Solving Courts” hosted by Problem-Solving Courts (PSC) online Wednesday and Thursday, December 4-5, from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   This training will focus on the fundamentals of a successful problem-solving court, such as screenings and assessments, the team approach, team meetings and review hearings, treatment, drug testing, behavioral responses, confidentiality, due process, data and evaluation, and a solid understanding of addiction and mental health.
   This training is required for judges and coordinators of programs receiving first-year funding through any SCAO problem-solving court grant program, and new problem-solving court teams and team members are strongly encouraged to attend. It is also recommended for more-experienced team members who want a refresher.
   For registration information, contact PSC@courts.mi.gov. After registering, participants will receive a separate e-mail with the Zoom credentials 24-48 hours before the training.
   
   County’s SRT program focus of online discussion
   December 5
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan’s Juvenile Justice &?School Safety Training Project will present “In The Lunchroom with Juvenile Justice: Washtenaw County SRT Program” online Thursday, December 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
   This webinar offers a presentation on the Washtenaw County SRT Program which is a court program for juveniles charged with sex offenses that provides assessments and community-based treatment.
   Presenters will include Stacie Shaw, first assistant prosecuting attorney; Jessica Ashmore and Monica Hicks, Washtenaw Juvenile Probation; and Mary Ortega and Dr. Robert Ortega, Family Assessment Clinic.
   There is no charge to attend this online program but advance registration is required by December 4. To register, prosecutors and APAs should visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.”
   
   Holiday Gala planned by OCBA at Townsend Hotel
   December 5
   The Oakland County Bar Association will host its Holiday Gala on Thursday, December 5, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend St. in Birmingham.
   Attendees will enjoy an elegant evening of friendship and seasonal celebration with festive music, an array of hors d’oeuvres, and delectable treats in a truly memorable atmosphere. Tickets include food, entertainment, and one drink ticket per guest.
   Cost for the gala is $115 for OCBA members; $85 for OCBA new lawyers (P83548+), paralegals, and law students; and $125 for non-members. There will be an additional $50 charge for those who register at the door. To register online, visit www.ocba.org and click on “Events.”
   Anyone with questions may contact Jennifer Quick at 248-334-3400.
   
   ‘Women’s Virtual Conference’ conducted by NAPD
   December 5-7
   The National Association for Public Defense will conduct its “Women’s Virtual Conference: We Are The One’s We’ve Been Waiting For” online Thursday through Saturday, December 5-7.
   The conference welcomes attendees to gather for advocacy, encouragement, empowerment, training workshops, development, networking, and renewal.
   The event invites speakers who have been historically marginalized by age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, sexual identity, education, national origin, or any other distinguishing characteristic or trait. The goal of this event is to uplift marginalized perspectives within the public defense community.
   The gathering is for all individuals, in all job titles, and practitioners who work or support public defense: attorneys, paralegals, core staff, social workers, trainers, policy advocates, and more. Law students are also encouraged and invited to join. NAPD is committed to creating an event in a safe space that brings inspiration and transformation to persons of all gender identities, and for this event, NAPD will specifically amplify female, non-binary, and/or gender non-conforming voices in public defense.
   Focus areas returning this year include:
   • Professional Growth & Leadership – sessions that help participants develop their leadership voice or facilitating professional/personal growth.
   • Well-Being and Self-Care – sessions that prioritize wellness and self-care within the public defense community.
   • Representing Women, Families, Children – sessions that center around the circumstances, challenges, and celebrations of representing women, families and children.
   • Intersectionality and Connecting Our Stories – sessions amplifying when our voices are marginalized in the communities we serve.
   • Women and Racial Justice – sessions centering around the pursuit of racial justice and equality.
   Additional information and online registration is available at https://publicdefenders.us/event/napd-womens-virtual-conference.
   
   Annual Winter Gala presented by IABAM
   December 7
   The Italian American Bar Association of Michigan will host its 91st Annual Winter Gala benefitting Friends of Foster Kids on Saturday, December 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Elevate, 1 Campus Martius, Floor 16, in Detroit.
   Attendees are asked to help Friends of Foster Kids by bringing a new toy for a child of any age (or by providing a nominal monetary donation) at the event so that IABAM may help bring a Meny Christmas to area children. All toys will be distributed to local foster children during the holiday season. For additional information about Friends of Foster Kids, visit https://friendsoffosterkids.org.
   Cost for the gala is $170 per person. The event is open to non-members. Reservations are limited. To register, visit www.iabam.com/ events or email IBAM President Salvatore Amodeo at samodeo@ taft.com.
   
   Winter Social hosted by ACC-MI and firm
   December 10
   The Association of Corporate Counsel Michigan Chapter will host its Winter Social presented by Brooks Kushman on Tuesday, December 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. at DuckPin Bowling/Five Iron Golf, 600 W. Lafayette Blvd. in Detroit.
   Members and guests will enjoy an afternoon of fun, food, games, and networking.
   To register for the event, visit www.acc.com/chapters-networks/chapters/michigan.
   
   ‘Problem-Solving Courts Certification Process’ offered online
   December 11
   The Michigan Judicial Institute will present “Problem-Solving Courts Certification Process” hosted by Problem-Solving Courts (PSC) online Wednesday, December 11, from 9 a.m to noon via Zoom.
   This training will provide a comprehensive overview of the PSC certification process, what is required to achieve certification, and the certification site visit process. This training is intended for coordinators and other leaders of adult problem-solving courts, especially those who have a certification site visit in 2025.
   For registration information, contact PSC@courts.mi.gov. After registering, participants will receive a separate e-mail with the Zoom credentials 24-48 hours before the training.
   
   Annual FBA Holiday Party scheduled in Detroit
   December 11
   The Federal Bar Association, Easter District of Michigan Chapter, will host its Annual Holiday Party Wednesday, December 11, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Crystal Ball Room at the Westin Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington Street in Detroit.
   Attendees will be able to enjoy great food, camaraderie, adult beverages, and entertainment. Significant others are most welcome.
   Tickets cost $65 for FBA members and $85 for non-members. To register for the party, visit https://fbamich.org and click on “calendar.”
   
   Holiday Party hosted by ALA in Troy
   December 11
   The Association of Legal Administrators, Metropolitan Detroit Chapter, will host its Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Shankar Distillery, 1030 Chicago Rd. in Troy.
   The event will feature holiday cheer with dinner and spirits. ALA members, business partners, and friends are all welcome.
   There is no cost for the party. To register, visit https://aladetroit.org.
   
   Straker, Wolverine, BWLAM plan Holiday Party
   December 12
   The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, Wolverine Bar Association, and the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan will host their Holiday Party on Thursday, December 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at LYV Detroit, 20238 Livernois in Detroit.
   The event will feature live DJ, appetizers, and handcrafted cocktails. Net proceeds from the party will benefit a local charity of Michigan
   Cost is $25 for Straker, Wolverine, and BWLAM members; $35 for non-members; and $15 for students. To register, visit https://strakerlaw.org/meetinginfo.php.
   

   
   

   Section hosts holiday party in Bloomfield
   December 12
   State Bar of Michigan Labor & Employment Law Section will present its “LELS Holiday Party 2024” on Thursday, December 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wabeek Country Club, 4000 Club Gate Drive in Bloomfield Township.
   The event offers an opportunity for networking and spreading holiday cheer with members of the labor and employment law community.
   To register for the Holiday Party, visit https://connect.michbar.org/laborlaw/home.
   
   Cocktail Sip to raise funds
   December 12
   The Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (BWLAM) is again partying with a purpose with its Annual Cocktail Sip Fundraiser on Thursday, December 12, beginning at 6 p.m.
   Money raised during the event will go to support programs and community outreach.
   Cost for the event is $75 per person. For additional information or to register, visit www.eventbrite.com and search “BWLAM.”
   
   Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders focus of webinar
   December 13
   The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) a webinar on “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in the Criminal Justice System” Friday, December 13, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
   Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are common affecting between 1 and 5% of the population. FASD is rarely diagnosed and as a result is often not considered in criminal or mental health proceedings.
   Participants in this webinar will:
   • Be introduced to the diagnostic criteria for FASD.
   • Be informed about the implications of FASD in criminal proceedings.
   • Demonstrate how to develop a maternal alcohol exposure history.
   • Understand key neuropsychological impairments in FASD.
   • Discuss how to utilize FASD as a mitigating factor in criminal proceedings.
   Cost for the webinar is $50. To register, visit https://publicdefenders.us/event/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders-in-the-criminal-justice-system.
   
   Attorney presents ‘Update on the State of Criminal Law’
   December 17
   The Oakland County Bar Association will present “Update on the State of Criminal Law 2024 Part Two” as a webinar on Tuesday, December 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   Speaker Alona Sharon, of Alona Sharon PC, will provide an overview of the most recent published Michigan Court of Appeal cases with a focus on sentencing decisions. She will also review the most important decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court.
   Credit has been approved with the OCBA for 1.5 Criminal credits and 1.5 Juvenile credits.
   Cost for the webinar is $12 for OCBA members pre-registration and $25 for non-members pre-registration. Oakland County MIDC court appointed attorneys can attend for free.
   To register for this webinar, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.”
   
   ‘Fighting Fraud from Both Sides’ presented online
   December 17
   The Bankruptcy Committee of the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association will present “Fighting Fraud from Both Sides” online Tuesday, December 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
   During the virtual program, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Paul Hage, Eastern District of Michigan, will moderate a discussion between U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison and U.S. Trustee Andrew Vara about fraud.
   To register for the free program, visit https://edmibar.org/event/edmibar-bankruptcy-committee-event. Anyone with questions may email kelley.callard@usdoj.gov or dlerner@plunkettcooney.com.
   
   ‘Traffic Safety Legal Update’ presented online by PAAM
   December 19
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan will present the Traffic Safety Training Program Webinar “End-of-Year Traffic Safety Legal Update” on Thursday, December 19, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   This end-of-year presentation will provide prosecutors and law enforcement a comprehensive update on traffic safety legal issues and cases that arose in 2024.
   Speaking at the webinar will be Kinga Canike and Eric Wanink, traffic safety resource prosecutors for the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan.
   To register for this free webinar, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “training.”