Daily Briefs . . .

 Attorney attends forensics course

Attorney Neil Rockind, founder of Neil Rockind, P.C., a criminal defense law firm in Southfield, participated in a scientific forensics course held by the American Chemical Society in Chicago from October 14-17. The hands-on class, the majority of which was conducted in a lab with participants working with their own Gas Chromatograph — Flame Ionization Detector machines, educated attending attorneys on the use of blood testing instruments and the science behind forensics chromatography, a method used to separate organic and inorganic compounds in both liquid and gas. After separating the compounds, police, FBI and other authorities can then analyze the chemicals, such as drugs or alcohol, that are present in breath, blood and urine.

Only 200 attorneys in the U.S. have completed this coursework and are qualified to explain the science of gas chromatography in DUI ethanol-based cases. Completion of the course now allows Rockind to test blood from the lab and verify or challenge the court’s experts.
“This course has given me not only the theory behind chromatography, but provided knowledge and perspective that will enable to me to better defend and serve my clients,” Rockind said.
Trial attorneys attending the class also gained critical advocacy skills to help judges and juries discern which evidential science is valid and what professed science should be rejected. 
 

General Motors’ legal chief to retire next year

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors’ chief lawyer Michael Millikin, who withstood withering criticism from lawmakers for his department’s handling of an ignition switch recall, is retiring early next year.
GM says in a statement that the 66-year-old Millikin will stay on until a replacement is on the job.
 
During a July Senate hearing on the delayed recall of small cars with faulty switches, lawmakers demanded that Millikin be fired. 

At least 27 people died in crashes linked to the switches. GM has admitted knowing about them a decade ago, yet it didn’t recall the cars until this year.
 

Reunion for Wayne recent grads slated

Wayne Law classes of 2010-2014 alumni, family, and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend a gathering to celebrate, reconnect, and get involved on Friday, Nov. 7, from 7 - 11 p.m. at the Park Bar/Bucharest at 2040 Park Ave., Detroit. Cost is $40 per person and includes dinner, 2 drink tickets, and entertainment. To attend, register online or call the Office of Special Events and Services at 313-577-0300. For more information about this event, contact Brandy Dona at 313-577-6199 or bdona@wayne.edu.

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