LEGAL PEOPLE

The Board of Directors of Legal Aid and Defender Association Inc. (LAD) is pleased to announce that attorney Michelle L. Johnson has been named president and CEO. Johnson has served in the interim role since the departure of Judge Nicole Goodson who was appointed to the bench of the Third Judicial Circuit Court by the governor last year.

Johnson, a graduate of Wayne State University Law School, has been practicing for nearly 30 years. Starting as a staff attorney with LAD more than 20 years ago, she has held many positions within the agency.  During her tenure at LAD, she has spearheaded numerous projects including the 36th District Court Eviction Diversion Program partnership, representing tenants in eviction cases; ACE – Another Chance for Education representing general and special education students threatened with expulsion; and the Foreclosure Education and Advocacy
Program which helped homeowners avoid mortgage foreclosure.

LAD operates a variety of legal programs to serve low-income residents in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.  Its current focus is preventing homelessness and preserving housing; helping families become free from abuse and regain their independence; and removing barriers to employment and housing opportunities through expungement representation. LAD partners with a variety of community and legal service organizations to strengthen the housing and economic outcomes for Metro Detroit residents and the community.

LAD’s mission is to provide holistic, innovative legal services that improve the quality of life and empower vulnerable and underserved
individuals, families, and communities. The organization’s goal is to employ a variety of legal strategies that help them work with their clients in a comprehensive manner to: (1) solve their legal problems and improve their lives and circumstances; (2) solve broader systemic problems of the community; and (3) help families stay together.

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II recently announced appointments to the Juvenile Residential Facilities Advisory Committee, which was established by Executive Order 2022-14 following a unanimous recommendation from the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform. The advisory committee is charged with supporting the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) by recommending quality assurance and improvement processes for juvenile residential and detention facilities statewide.  
Among those appointed to the committee are:

• Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Cylenthia Miller, presiding judge of the Family Division Juvenile Section. Prior to this, she was on the bench of the 36th District Court. She is chair of the Foreign Language Review Board and member of the State Bar of Michigan. Miller earned a B.A. in Sociology from Wayne State University, and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. She is appointed to represent a circuit court judge who regularly handles juvenile cases.

• Lara Nercessian, assistant prosecuting attorney and lead prosecuting attorney for district courts for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Nercessian is a member of the Armenian Relief Society “Zabel” Chapter. Nercessian earned a B.A. in Political Science from Wayne State University and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. She is appointed to represent prosecutors.

All members are appointed for a term commencing May 9, 2023 and expiring October 1, 2024.   These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.    

The Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform was composed of leaders from across branches of government, state and local agencies, those working in and impacted by the system, and other stakeholders, and was facilitated by The Council of State Governments Justice Center. To learn more about the recommendations, visit https://michigancommitteeonjuvenilejustice.com/jj-reform-task-force.

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs. Nadine
Kalasho Khalil was among the appointees.

Khalil is the president of CODE Legal Aid. She co-founded CODE in response to the influx of refugees coming from the Middle East in 2014. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Khalil is reappointed for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring April 19, 2027.

The Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs advises the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Governor on issues relating to the Arab and Chaldean communities in Michigan and promotes awareness of their culture and history. They also work to empower, promote, and advance the Middle Eastern American community in Michigan.

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

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Zausmer Managing Shareholder Mark Zausmer was recently inducted into the Wayne State University Law School’s Alumni Wall of Fame.  Induction into the Wayne Law Alumni Wall of Fame is awarded to alumni whose professional success and contributions, profound positive influence on Wayne Law, and high degree of character and integrity are recognized by their peers.

Zausmer has been at the forefront of the revitalization of downtown Detroit and important political issues in the region. His work for the community extends beyond legal representation. He serves on a number of community boards, including City Year Detroit, a non-profit organization that partners with Detroit schools by providing diverse and talented tutors, mentors, and role models to work alongside teachers to support and enhance student success.

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BSP Law Associate Jeff Turner worked with the Detroit Bar Association Barristers Section to organize a “Law Day” for Detroit high school students from several public, private, and charter schools. The event took place on Wednesday, May 3.

The DBA Barristers, the Wayne County Circuit Court, and the Detroit Bar Association Foundation annually host Law Day as a unique field trip event for students to interact with judges and attorneys and learn more about legal careers. Students are invited to participate in an essay contest, scholarship contest, and mock oral arguments before members of the Third Circuit bench. Following arguments, volunteer attorneys, judges, and court staff have lunch with participating students and discuss the particulars of their profession.

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Varnum is pleased to announce the addition of new associate Aaron Roberson to the firm’s Birmingham office.

Roberson graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and from the College of Wooster (Ohio) in 2018 with a BA in Political Science.

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Bodman is pleased to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly has named Michelle Thurber Czapski to its 2023 Class of “Go-To Lawyers” for Business Litigation.

Czapski is the co-chair of Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group and the chair of  the Insurance Practice Group. She has more than three decades of experience representing major corporate clients in litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. She has represented insurance and financial service companies, automotive and other product manufacturers, Tier-1 automotive suppliers, telecommunications companies, and pharmaceutical companies in matters involving product liability claims, consumer protection claims, insurance and ERISA disputes, contract matters, and a broad range of other commercial and business disputes.

Czapski has garnered additional accolades in recent years including being named one of Michigan’s “Notable Women Lawyers” by Crain’s Detroit Business, being named a “Leader in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, and being selected as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan by Michigan Super Lawyers.