Legal People

Michigan Association for Justice

Attorney Donna M. MacKenzie has officially begun her tenure as the 68th president of the Michigan Association for Justice. MacKenzie was unanimously elected by the MAJ general membership. Her one-year term runs from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021. 

“I am deeply honored to continue serving MAJ in my new role as president, especially as the association is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year,” MacKenzie said. “MAJ members are the best trial lawyers in the state—fighting day in and day out to safeguard access to justice for those injured by the misconduct or negligence of others. When our civil justice system functions correctly, communities are safer places to live and work.”

MacKenzie, a shareholder at Olsman, MacKenzie, Peacock, & Wallace PC in Berkley, devotes a majority of her practice to representing individuals injured as a result of neglect and abuse in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult foster care homes, while also handling medical malpractice and sexual assault cases. 

Since joining MAJ in 2005, MacKenzie has served as an officer in the association for the past four years, holding positions as treasurer, secretary, vice president, and president-elect. She also is a leader in several state and national organizations. She is the vice-chair-elect for the American Association for Justice Nursing Home Litigation Group, a member of the council of the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section, and Immediate Past President of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.

MacKenzie has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including the Evelyn Forrest Respected Advocate Award from the Women’s Bar Association, Oakland County region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, in 2020. She also was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of Michigan’s Most Notable Women Lawyers in 2017, and was selected to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law Class of 2017. In addition, MacKenzie received the F. Scott Baldwin Award from the American Association for Justice in 2015. She was named to the Michigan Top 100 Super Lawyers list from 2015-17 and 2019, and also was recognized in 2016, 2018 and 2020 by Best Lawyers in America as Medical Malpractice “Lawyer of the Year” in Troy.

“During this global pandemic, a fair and open civil justice system is more important than ever,” MacKenzie noted. “We are seeing in Michigan and throughout the country an unmitigated assault on the rights of consumers, patients, and workers as powerful interests demand sweeping immunity for COVID-19 injuries. It is imperative that we continue to do everything we can to effectively advocate for our clients and hold bad actors responsible when they fail to protect the health of Michiganders.”

MacKenzie is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, and a Trustee of the Macomb County Bar Foundation. These non-profit organizations serve the public by funding and promoting programs to increase access to the justice system. She regularly serves as a case evaluator in Macomb County, and has served as a private arbitrator in civil disputes. She also serves as a team co-captain for the annual “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” and “The Longest Day” events, both of which benefit the Alzheimer’s Society.

MacKenzie is a graduate of Alma College and during that time also studied overseas at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. She obtained her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

Along with MacKenzie, new MAJ officers for 2020-21 are:

• President-Elect Ronald K. Weiner, Lipton Law Center PC, Southfield.

• Vice President Stuart A. Sklar, Fabian, Sklar, King, & Liss PC, Farmington Hills.

• Secretary Jennifer L. McManus, Fagan McManus PC, Royal Oak.

• Treasurer Eric Steinberg, Law Offices of Lee Steinberg, PC, Southfield.

• Immediate Past President Robert J. MacDonald, MacDonald & MacDonald PLLC, Flint

The Michigan Association for Justice, formerly the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA), is a trade association of more than 1,500 plaintiff’s attorneys and staff, with offices in Lansing.

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Wayne County 29th District Court and Oakland County 43rd District Court

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recenty appointed Breeda K. O’Leary to the Wayne County 29th District Court of the City of Wayne and Brian C. Hartwell to the Oakland County 43rd District Court of the City of Hazel Park. 

O’Leary currently serves as an attorney with Fausone Bohn LLP. In her practice, she has served as a city attorney for the City of Wayne, assistant city attorney for the City of Westland, and as a prosecutor in the 29th and 18th District Courts. O’Leary’s practice also includes civil matters and probate and estate planning.

During her time as an attorney, O’Leary has provided pro-bono assistance to local senior citizens, participated in training for the 29th District Court’s Regional Behavioral Mental Health Court Program and participated in the 18th District Court Sobriety Court Program.

O’Leary is an advisory board member of the Families Against Narcotics (FAN) Northwest Wayne Chapter, a member of the Wayne 100 Club, vice president of Wayne Main Street, and a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University’s James Madison College and a law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.  

“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the citizens in my hometown.” O’Leary said. “A district court judge has a unique opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the community. As judge of the 29th District Court, I will ensure that all individuals are heard and treated with respect.”

This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which expires at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2021, after Judge Laura R. Mack stepped down effective March 1, 2020. O’Leary is running in this upcoming election in order to fulfill the remainder of Mack’s term expiring January 1, 2025.

Hartwell currently serves as the mayor of the City of Madison Heights and deputy county treasurer for community outreach and communications for Oakland County. He is also a private practice attorney handling a range of issues including housing discrimination, probate estate administration, misdemeanor criminal defense, and civil litigation.

Hartwell is the founder of a pro-bono clinic at the Madison Heights Senior Center where he assists low-income seniors with their legal matters. He previously served as a litigator with Muller, Muller, Richmond, Harms, & Myers PC and as a city councilman with the City of Madison Heights. 

Hartwell is a member of the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees, the Madison Heights/Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Chinese Americans, and the Michigan Association of Mayors.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

“I am humbled by this opportunity to serve my beloved hometown and neighboring communities as a district court judge.” Hartwell said. “Like the employees of the court, I am devoted to serving the public fairly and compassionately. My experience as mayor taught me the necessary humility to lead with kindness and the conviction to make difficult choices. The people and attorneys who use the court have a partner in the administration of justice.”

This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which expires at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2021, after Judge Charles G. Goedert stepped down effective March 16, 2020. Hartwell is running in this upcoming election to serve a full six-year term.

Judicial appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

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Bodman PLC

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Marc M. Bakst, a member of the firm practicing in the Detroit office, has been named treasurer of the board of directors and chair of the Finance Committee of Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit (JFS).

Bakst, who has served for several years as a JFS board member, will also continue his service as a member of the Executive Committee of the board of directors.  He was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2019.

Established more than 90 years ago, JFS provides critical health and social services to more than 12,000 Jewish and non-Jewish people throughout metro Detroit each year. The organization’s services are uniquely tailored to the specific needs of each individual or family, and center around three core areas: services for older adults, mental health and wellness, and safety net services.

Bakst has a long history of service to charitable, community, and professional organizations. He served previously on the Advisory Board to Michigan Israel Business Accelerator, on the Community Advisory Board for the Detroit Jewish News, on the Board of Directors of the Detroit chapter of the American Jewish Committee, and on the City of Oak Park Zoning Board of Appeals. He also volunteers through Lakeshore Legal Aid to provide pro bono representation to individuals entitled under Michigan law to expungement of criminal records.

His legal practice is focused on creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, reorganization, and insolvency matters, representing major financial institutions, automotive suppliers, health care providers, and a variety of other business clients.

Bakst has been recognized as a distinguished practitioner in his field of specialty by the leading journals that rank business attorneys, including The Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, and DBusiness Top Lawyers.