Probe sought of judge’s comments to female staff
MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — Midland County court officials have asked Michigan’s judicial disciplinary board to investigate a judge accused of making “inappropriate comments” to some female court employees.
The Midland Daily News says the county rejected its state Freedom of Information Act request for a 2012 report on sexual harassment complaints against Midland Chief District Judge John H. Hart, saying the law exempts the judiciary.
The newspaper says three county judges issued a statement saying then-chief county trial Judge Jonathan Lauderbach hired a labor lawyer to investigate.
The judges say the investigator concluded Hart’s actions didn’t rise “to the level of sexual harassment” but “were inappropriate and merited referral to the Judicial Tenure Commission.”
Hart has no listed home phone. The Associated Press left a request for comment on his office phone Sunday.
Nationally Renowned Women’s/Civil Rights Advocate to speak at Book Cadillac, April 12
The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan is honored to feature Judith Lichtman, a “Legend of the Law” as named by the Washington D.C. Bar Association as their keynote speaker for their 95th Annual Meeting on April 12 at the Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit. Under Lichtman’s leadership, the National Partnership for Women and Families has been at the forefront of every major piece of civil rights legislation related to women and families since 1971. Lichtman’s vision and the National Partnership’s leadership have resulted in the passage of some of the most important legal protections for American women and families, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993.
Other distinguished speakers on the agenda include Senator Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Rebekah Warren, Mr. Bruce Courtade, State Bar of Michigan, and Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly. Justice Kelly joins Judge Marianne Battani, Judge Cylenthia LaToye-Miller, and Judge Angela Sherigan on our Past-President’s Judges Panel. These accomplished professionals will be available to provide guidance on work-life balance and success in the courtroom.
More information is available at www.womenlawyers.org.
LAD to host free Outreach Clinic
Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. (LAD) will conduct a free outreach clinic on civil legal services Tuesday, April 9, from 9-11 a.m. at the Coalition On Temporary Shelter, 26 Peterboro St., for shelter residents. Attendees are asked to register before 10 a.m., as a LAD attorney will assist only those persons who have done so by that time. LAD is the largest provider of free civil legal services to low-income residents of Michigan.
Anyone seeking legal services can visit www.ladadetroit.org for more information.
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