Julie I. Fershtman and Edward H. Pappas, both past presidents of the State Bar of Michigan, have been named ombudspersons for the Oakland County Circuit Court, effective January 1, 2020. They will succeed attorney Joel Serlin, who is retiring from the position he has held for the past 8 years.
In 2011, the Oakland County Bar Association, with the support of the Oakland County Circuit Court, established the position ombudsperson. Since the program’s inception, Serlin has served as the ombudsperson.
The purpose of the ombudsperson program is to provide a discreet forum for the informal resolution of issues and matters in which there is no other established or preferred procedure to secure redress. The ombudsperson serves as a neutral, vested with the authority to act as an intermediary between attorneys and judicial officers, and other personnel. Participants have the option of remaining anonymous while trying to resolve sensitive issues.
The ombudsperson program has provided a valuable conduit for resolution of delicate questions and issues that otherwise would have no appropriate outlet, according to court and OCBA officials. The hallmarks of the ombudsperson are confidentiality, neutrality, informality and independence. The ombudsperson does not report to and is not an agent of the court or of the OCBA. To properly perform his job, which requires both the trust and respect of the bench and bar, Serlin operated entirely outside of the judicial process so that he could effectively and efficiently address matters raised by the bench and bar.
“I would like to thank Mr. Serlin for his years of service as the ombudsman,” said Oakland County Circuit Court Chief judge Shalina Kumar. “He has exhibited the highest degree of professionalism and has been a tremendous asset to the bench and bar. He will be greatly missed.”
OCBA President Daniel Quick added, “Appointing Joel to this position was an easy decision because he was universally respected, above reproach, thoughtful in his decision-making, and truly cared about the judicial system and the people within it. This program has been successful in no small part due to Joel’s acumen and heart.”
Continuing the outstanding foundation established by Serlin, the OCBA and Circuit Court agreed that Fershtman and Pappas would take over as ombudspersons.
“Like Joel, both Julie and Ed represent the highest echelon of professionalism and are well known to both bench and bar,” said Quick.
A person desiring to use the program can approach either one based upon skill set, comfort level or availability, according to court officials.
“Together, they will make the program even stronger than it is today and a productive channel for both lawyers and judges to address issues,” added Kumar.
Fershtman is an equity shareholder and vice president at Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC in Southfield. A practitioner for 33 years, Fershtman handles a broad range of business, personal injury, contract, and insurance coverage matters pertaining to several industries. She was the fifth woman in the State Bar’s history to serve as president. The State Bar recently selected her to serve on the ABA House of Delegates, representing Michigan. She is well known through her bar leadership and her co-chair work in 2015 and 2016 for the State Bar’s 21st Century Practice Task Force. She is the recipient of many local and national awards including the Roberts P. Hudson Award, the State Bar’s highest honor.
Pappas is the chairman emeritus of Dickinson Wright PLLC and focuses his practice on complex commercial and business litigation, arbitration, and mediation. A former president of the OCBA, Pappas currently serves as President of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. He also is a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers, the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, and the Litigation Counsel of America, as well as a member of the National Academy and Distinguished Neutrals, the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution Panel of Distinguished Neutrals, and the American Arbitration Association’s Roster of Neutral Commercial Litigation Arbitrators and Mediators.
Beginning January 1, attorneys or judges having concerns about an active matter before the court, can contact Fershtman at 248-785-4731 or by e-mail at jfershtman@fosterswift.com. Pappas can be reached at 248-433-7228 or by e-mail at epappas@dickinsonwright.com.
For additional details on the ombudsperson program, see www.ocba.org/ombudsperson.
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