Daily Briefs

Detroit Mercy Law launches traveling Expungement Clinic to assist residents in six Michigan counties


University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, in conjunction with the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan State Bar Foundation, will hold a kick-off press conference at the Hall of Justice at the Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday, July 25 at 11 a.m.

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack, along with other dignitaries, will kick off the six-county traveling expungement clinic that will begin Friday, July 26 in Gratiot County. The clinics will assist eligible individuals with the process for asking a court to set aside a conviction and expunge their criminal record. An expungement of a criminal record removes barriers to employment, housing and more. 

“By expunging criminal records through these clinics, we can give applicants in rural Michigan a fresh start to better themselves and their communities,” said Clinton County Circuit Judge Michelle Rick, who is leading the traveling expungement clinic and teaches Access to Justice as an adjunct professor at Detroit Mercy Law. “We will help individuals navigate the complicated expungement process, while aiming to increase community engagement and public trust in our legal system.”

Eight Detroit Mercy Law students will travel to Gratiot, Wexford, Missaukee, Kalkaska, Crawford, and Otsego Counties from July 26-August 2 to collaborate with local judges, law enforcement and volunteer attorneys. Applicants will be screened for eligibility and provided assistance in preparing the necessary legal documents.

Detroit Mercy Law received a grant from the Michigan State Bar Foundation to fund this project. 

 “Detroit Mercy Law is founded on the principle of providing our students with hands-on learning opportunities while helping those in our community,” said Nick Schroeck, associate dean of Experiential Learning at Detroit Mercy Law. “This clinic will assist people in getting a second chance and allows our students to serve others and make a difference in a profound way.”

For more information about the clinics, please contact Rebecca Simkins Nowak, director of Clinical Programs at 313-596-9409

 

Local CPA named vice chair of AICPA State and Local Government Expert Panel
 

Plante Moran Partner Michelle Watterworth, CPA, has been named vice chair of the American Institute of CPAs’ State and Local Government Expert Panel.

During her term, Watterworth will address accounting and auditing issues at the national level, frequently working directly with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.

Watterworth previously served for three years on the Expert Panel and currently serves on the AICPA’s Government and Not-for-Profit Conference Planning Committee.

Watterworth has had a nearly three-decade career at Plante Moran and currently serves as the firm’s public sector professional standards leader.

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