Attorney elected chair of Business Law Section

By Kurt Anthony Krug Legal News His involvement with the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan as secretary, treasurer, and vice chair for the last six years has been "a very rewarding experience" for Edwin J. Lukas. Recently, Lukas, an attorney for Bodman LLP in Detroit, was elected chair of the Business Law Section of the State Bar, which has 3,200 members statewide and was founded in 1965. "Being elected chair was really a humbling experience, to be honest with you," said the 44-year-old Lukas. "Bodman has had a long history of leadership with the Business Law Section. Getting a chance to continue this tradition is a great opportunity and something to really be proud of. Some of the finest business lawyers in Michigan are involved... It's a nice honor when your peers whom you hold in high regard find you worthy of such an award--it's meaningful and humbling. It's something I don't take lightly and I am proud to have achieved. I'm looking forward to the challenges." The Latrobe, Pa. native lives in Grosse Pointe Shores with his wife DeAnn, whom he met when they attended what is now the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. The couple has two children, ages 10 and 14. Lukas, who has an undergraduate degree in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania, and his wife were the last law class to graduate in 1992 when it was still the University of Detroit School of Law. He has been a practicing attorney for 19 years. "Being an attorney... presented opportunities to pursue a number of career paths. There are a lot of different things one can do with a law degree. I've always had an interest in business. It seemed as if pursuing a law degree and learning a lot about the different laws and regulations associated with business would give me an opportunity to use those skills in a unique way and work with clients and use some of my competencies that I think clients find valuable," said Lukas. In his new role as chair, Lukas wants to foster the highest quality of practice and professionalism in business law. He also wants to enhance the legislative environment for business in Michigan by offering a series of different programs and presentations throughout the year designed to advance the professional competence of its members. "We'll be offering 'business boot camp,' which we've creatively referred to basic training for emerging business lawyers and for lawyers new to business practice," said Lukas. "We want to help them with the fundamentals of the core competencies essential in business law." The Business Law Section of the State Bar was one of the first sections to utilize social media as a means of communicating with its membership, as well as boosting it. "We're exploring ways to take it to the next level. We improved member access through the resources of social media. We communicate most effectively with our members and make our services more widely available to them," said Lukas. "One of the most rewarding things is when you truly practice law at the intersection of law and business. You work with terrific people who are doing a great service to the private industry and to the community as well. I find that very rewarding." Published: Thu, Nov 17, 2011

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