Federal Bar hosts seminar for new lawyers

Helping to prepare for the Federal Bar Association’s upcoming New Lawyers Seminar are (left to right) Bryan Schneider, Cathrine Wenger, Matthew Leitman, Terri Serra, U.S. District Judge Patrick Duggan, U.S. District Chief Judge Gerald Rosen, U.S. District Magistrate Judge Steven Whalen, Sarah Resnick Cohen, Grant Gilezan, Linda Hylenski and Brian Figot.

Photo by John Meiu

The annual New Lawyers Seminar — co-sponsored by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Federal Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan’s Young Lawyers Section — is scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 4-5, at the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Detroit.

Organizers describe the program as a “nuts and bolts” how-to-do-it approach to practice in federal and state courts, designed to assist recent law graduates in understanding the fundamental procedures followed in those courts.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gerald Rosen emphasized that the seminar is not a prerequisite for an individual to be admitted to practice in the courts, but rather a voluntary educational program which law school graduates are encouraged to attend.

The seminar begins at 8:15 a.m. on Dec. 4 with registration and presentations on federal courts. The program continues on Dec. 5 with state court practice and a luncheon addressed by Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Virgil Smith.

The faculty of the seminar is made up of practicing attorneys, court personnel, and judges who are well-qualified to present the subjects.

U.S. District Judges Patrick Duggan and Victoria Roberts along with U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Whalen, all in the Eastern District of Michigan, are among those who are expected to speak at the seminar.

Co-chairs for the seminar are attorneys Christine Dowhan-Bailey, Brian Figot, Grant Gilezan, Geneva Halliday, Theresa Serra, and Cathrine Wenger.

The seminar costs $95.  Admission includes both days of the seminar, the luncheon on Dec. 5, and course materials on a CD-ROM containing form pleadings and memoranda expanding on the topics covered by the speakers.

A special price of $170 includes the seminar plus membership in the Federal Bar Association (limited to attendees who have been admitted less than five years).

Reservation checks should be made payable to the FBA Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, and mailed to: New Lawyers Seminar, c/o FBA Executive Director, PO Box 20759, Ferndale, 48220; or e-mail fbamich@fbamich.org. 

On-line registration also is available at www.fbamich.org, under “Events and Activities.”

There also will be a ceremony admitting attorneys to practice in federal court on Tuesday, Dec. 4,  at 4:15 p.m. It is open to all those who have been admitted to the state bar and meet requirements for admission to the bar of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. 

This is a separate ceremony with a separate admission fee of $226 payable to the Clerk, U.S. District Court.

Although the focus of the program is on recent graduates, those experienced attorneys wishing to attend the seminar are welcome. 

Attendance satisfies the federal practice seminar requirement for admission to the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. 

Space is limited to 125 participants and is expected to be sold out.

It is suggested that reservations be mailed in early to assure a place.

The Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter’s telephone number is (248) 594-5950.

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