LEGAL PEOPLE

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the following appointments to the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission, Michigan Appellate Defender Commission, and the Board of Law Examiners.

Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission

John P. Toth is the owner and head instructor of Formula Jiu Jitsu Academy and is a practicing attorney. He earned his law degree from the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.  Toth is appointed to represent members who have experience, knowledge, or background in mixed martial arts, for a term commencing June 12, and expiring June 5, 2024. He succeeds Vincent Philip Viviano whose term expired June 5. 

The Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission is the successor to the Michigan Boxing Commission and is responsible for the regulation of professional boxing and mixed martial arts. The Commission and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs are vested with management, control, and jurisdiction over all professional boxing, professional or amateur mixed martial arts, or unarmed combat contests or events conducted in this state.   

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Appellate Defender Commission

Darryl J. Woods is an elder at Greater Temple in Detroit and a youth mentor.  Woods is a returning citizen. He was the chairman of the NAACP Detroit Branch Program Committee for over 15 years and he created a youth deterrent program, now referred to as Cared Straight, that diverted youth from the juvenile justice system.  Woods is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing June 12 and expiring May 24, 2024. He succeeds Thomas Adams whose term expired May 24.

The Michigan Appellate Defender Commission is responsible for the development of a system of indigent appellate defense services which shall include services provided by the office of the state appellate defender and locally appointed private counsel. The Commission will be responsible for the development of minimum standards to which all indigent criminal defense appellate services shall conform, and will compile and keep current a statewide roster of attorneys eligible for and willing to accept appointment by an appropriate court to serve as criminal appellate defense counsel for indigents.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Board of Law Examiners

Jeffery V. Stuckey is a member attorney with Dickinson Wright PLLC. He earned a law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.  Stuckey is reappointed to represent a nominee of the Supreme Court for a term commencing July 1 and expiring June 30, 2025.

The Board of Law Examiners is responsible the investigation and examination of all persons who initially apply for admission to the bar of this state. The board may adopt suitable regulations, subject to approval by the Supreme Court, concerning the performance of its functions and duties.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

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Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that the firm has received five practice rankings and several attorneys in Michigan have been listed in this year’s The Legal 500 United States 2020.

The Legal 500 United States 2020 recognized Dickinson Wright in the following practice areas:

  • Dispute Resolution – General Commercial Disputes
  • Labor and Employment – Labor and Employment Disputes (including Collective Actions): Defense
  • M&A/Corporate and Commercial – M&A: Middle-Market (sub-$500m)
  • Real Estate – Construction (including Construction Litigation)
  • Real Estate

The Legal 500 United States 2020 recognized the following local Dickinson Wright attorneys in their editorial as “Recommended Lawyers:”

Dispute Resolution – General Commercial Disputes
  • Thomas McNeill (Detroit)
  • Daniel Quick (Troy)

Labor and Employment – Labor and Employment Disputes (including Collective Actions): Defense
  • Timothy Howlett (Detroit)
  • Kathryn Wood (Detroit)

Real Estate – Construction (including Construction Litigation)
  • Peter Webster (Troy)

Real Estate
  • Michael Lusardi (Troy)
  • Katheryne Zelenock (Troy)