Daily Briefs . . .

Witus recognized as Detroit-area Appellate Lawyer of the Year


Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker announced Monday that Best Lawyers In America has named Morley Witus as the Appellate “Lawyer of the Year” in Detroit for 2016.

 Witus has handled appeals involving contract, real estate, probate, securities, automotive, bankruptcy, municipal, insurance, legal malpractice, intellectual property, and employment law, as well as trials and arbitrations in these areas.

Witus earned a Bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Michigan. He also earned a Master’s degree in political philosophy from York University. Witus is past president of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association and the Jewish Foundation of Washtenaw County. He serves on the firm's Executive Committee and lives in Ann Arbor.

 

Viviano honors first graduates of Veterans Treatment Court
 

Michigan Supreme Court Justice David F. Viviano helped mark a milestone Friday at the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit by speaking at the court’s first Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) graduation. Two graduates were recognized during the event.

“Your service never stops, so our service to you should continue here at home,” said Justice Viviano to the graduates. “That’s why I am so proud of the work of this court, the mentors, the judges and everyone who has helped make this day possible.”

One of the strategic priorities of the Michigan Supreme Court is measuring court performance to improve outcomes, which includes supporting the state’s 164 problem-solving courts that solve problems and save lives.

The MSC Problem-Solving Court report, Solving Problems, Saving Lives, shows that in 2014:

• Michigan has led the nation in veterans treatment courts with 22.

• Two years after admission to any type of drug court, graduates were 56 percent less likely to be convicted of any new offense.

• Participants in sobriety courts and adult district drug courts were 75 percent less likely to be convicted of any new offense after two years.

• 98 percent of mental health court graduates improved their mental health.

In addition, Michigan was the nation’s first state court system to establish regionalized DWI courts and the second to establish regionalized mental health courts, providing broader geographical access.

The 3rd Circuit Court Veterans Treatment Court is led by Presiding Judge Timothy Kenny, Judge James Callahan, and Judge Deborah Thomas.

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