Legal People

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

The annual Macomb Business Award program has recognized Warner Norcross + Judd LLP as the 2020 Corporate Citizen honoree.

After nominations from the county’s 27 communities are reviewed, a panel of judges names a single winner in each of the program’s six categories. Warner’s Macomb County office was honored for its commitment to corporate responsibility and dedication to philanthropy, both within the county and across the state.

“At Warner, we pride ourselves in our commitment to the communities we serve,” said Frank E. Henke, executive partner of the Macomb office. “Giving back has been a Warner hallmark since the firm was founded almost 90 years ago. We’re grateful for this Macomb recognition and will continue to do whatever we can to support critical initiatives.”

Warner, which has eight offices throughout Michigan, invests annually to support community programs, primarily in the firm’s five principal giving categories: arts and culture, economic development, health and human services, diversity, equity and inclusion, and legal aid.

As part of the nomination process, the firm shared the following information on several of its community service efforts, including:

• In Metro Detroit, Warner makes donations to: Advancing Macomb, Forgotten Harvest, Life Remodeled, Women Lawyers Association, McLaren Macomb Healthcare Foundation, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Junior Achievement, Alternatives for Girls, THAW, Cass Community, and many more.

• The firm’s pro bono program provided 5,600 hours in free legal counsel to select organizations and individuals across the state in 2019.

• More than $200,000 in diversity scholarships were awarded to students pursuing a law career.

• A gift was provided earlier this year to the Equal Justice Initiative, a program committed to challenging racial and economic injustice in American society. This donation was made under the auspices of the firm’s Statement on Racism and Social Injustice, which outlined four action items Warner is implementing.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, Warner made financial contributions to support several at-risk groups with an emphasis on food banks and basic needs and initiatives to address racial and social injustice, including the creation of jobs for young adults.

In addition to firm-wide efforts, Warner attorneys and staff volunteer, hold leadership positions and contribute financially to numerous organizations that personally resonate with them.

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Gov. Whitmer Appointments

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (”Children’s Trust Fund”), Civil Service Commission, Judicial Tenure Commission, and Wayne County Airport Authority. 

Kristin Totten has been appointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (Children’s Trust Fund). Totten is an education attorney for the ACLU of Michigan. She earned a bachelor of arts from Cedarville College and a law degree from the University of Akron. Totten was appointed to represent the legal community for a term that began December 21 and expires December 19, 2023. She succeeds Kathleen Trott whose term expired December 19.

The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1982 and serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety, and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect. 

Nick Ciaramitaro has been named to the Civil Service Commission. Ciaramitaro is the retired director of legislation and policy at Michigan AFSCME Council 25. He earned a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Detroit and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Ciaramitaro was appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing January 1, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2028. He succeeds James Barrett whose term expires December 31.

The Civil Service Commission is empowered by Article XI, Section 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 to classify all positions in the classified service according to their respective duties and responsibilities, fix rates of compensation for all classes of positions, and approve or disapprove disbursements for all personal services.

Danielle Chaney has been appointed to the Judicial Tenure Commission. Chaney is the director of human resources at Common Ground. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Michigan State University. Chaney was appointed for a term commencing January 1, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2023. She succeeds Ari Adler whose term expires December 31, 2020.

The Judicial Tenure Commission serves to promote the integrity of the judicial process and preserve public confidence in the courts. The commission strives to hold state judges, magistrates, and referees accountable for their misconduct without jeopardizing or compromising the essential independence of the judiciary. The basis for commission action is a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct or Rules of Professional Conduct, which are published with the Michigan Rules of Court. 

Dennis W. Archer Jr. has been appointed to the Wayne County Airport Authority. Archer is the CEO of Ignition Media Group. He earned a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He was appointed for a term commencing December 21 and expiring October 1, 2026. He succeeds Ronald Hall Jr. whose term expired October 1.

The Wayne County Airport Authority is responsible for the management and operation of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport - including the power to plan, promote, extend, maintain, acquire, purchase, construct, improve, repair, enlarge, and operate both airports. The Authority has established guidelines for competitive bidding of contracts, including provisions to ensure maximum participation of disadvantaged businesses, minority businesses and other targeted business enterprises.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Andrea Dickson to the Michigan Technological University Board of Trustees.

Dickson, of Grosse Pointe Farms, is the former CEO and co-founder of ENT Biotech Solutions Inc. and is currently a principal at the start-up telemedicine company Quintree. 

Dickson previously served as executive vice president and chief of staff of Wayne State University and as outside general counsel for Michigan Technological University. She is a current member of the Detroit Institute of Arts Board of Directors and the board of Invest Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

Dickson is appointed for a term commencing January 1, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2028. She succeeds Bob Jacquart whose term expires December 31, 2020.

Article VIII § 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 establishes that Michigan’s institutions of higher education, that are established by law as having authority to grant baccalaureate degrees, shall each be governed by a board of control which shall be a body corporate. The board has general supervision of the institution and the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution’s funds. The board also, as often as necessary, elects a president of the institution under its supervision. Each board of control consists of eight members appointed by the governor for eight-year terms.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.