Calendar
July 2026
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July 24
Mark the Date
‘Introducing Exhibits Into Evidence’ discussed online
July 29
The National Business Institute will present a video webinar on “Introducing Exhibits Into Evidence: Foundations, Objections, and Practice Tips” Wednesday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Having a piece of evidence thrown out in court can be incredibly frustrating, not to mention detrimental to your case. Successfully entering evidence requires a strong grasp of the rules and a game plan for admission.
In this program, faculty will show how to introduce exhibits at trial and avoid getting tripped up by objections. Attendees will learn how to craft effective arguments for admissibility and how to:
• Refresh your knowledge of the evidentiary rules and review the steps for introducing exhibits.
• Learn how to lay a foundation for business records and enter them into evidence.
• Anticipate and overcome admission hurdles for expert testimony.
• Discover how to get social media posts, texts, emails, and other ESI authenticated and admitted.
• Use exceptions to get around the rule against hearsay.
• Craft effective responses and defend against common objections raised by opposing counsel.Cost for the webinar, which includes course book download, is $429. To register, call 1-800-930-6182 or visit www.nbi-sems.com.‘Law Firm Liability Landscape’ explored online
July 29
The American Bar Association will present the webinar on “The Law Firm Liability Landscape” Wednesday, July 29, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Law firms and lawyers today face significant professional liability and responsibility risks. Ranging from simple mistakes to conflicts of interest to the representation of unworthy clients, claims can ensnare firms of all sizes.
This webinar’s panel of experts will provide analysis of current professional liability claim trends, the causes and sources of claims, and particular trouble spots, as well as some best practices for risk management.
Cost for the webinar is $130. To register, visit www.americanbar.org and click on “events.”
Association hosts Cornhole Social
July 30
The Intellectual Property and New Lawyers Committees of the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association will conduct a Cornhole Social on Thursday, July 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Campus Martius Park Lawn, 800 Woodward Ave. in Detroit.
Attorneys, judges, court interns, judicial law clerks, and summer associates are all welcome to attend for some summertime fun. The lawn will be set up for friendly (and competitive) cornhole play, along with beverages, a food truck, and drinks served by Cabana 313.
Attendees can play or cheer from the sideline, eat, drink, and mingle. No partner is necessary for cornhole play. Partners will be rotated for maximum networking.
Registration includes one complimentary drink ticket and a food truck voucher. Cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. To register, visit https://edmibar.org and click on “events.” Anyone with questions mat contact Christopher Darrow at darrow@ darrowmustafa.com.
State Bar committee applications due
July 31
Applications are now open to volunteer for a State Bar of Michigan committee during the 2026-2027 bar year. Applications are due by noon Friday, July 31. To apply, SBM members should visit https://vapp.michbar.org.
Volunteering for a committee allows members to help shape the future of the legal profession, protect the public, and network with friends and other attorneys across the state. Current committee members also may apply for reappointment.
All appointed committee members must apply for reappointment annually, regardless of the length of their term. Appointments run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, and will be announced in mid-September.
The following is a list of committees along with a brief description of the duties for each. For additional information, visit michbar.org/generalinfo/committees.
• Access to Justice Policy: Analyze and make recommendations for positions on proposed legislation, court rules, and other policies for the effective delivery of high-quality legal services in Michigan. Make recommendations regarding collateral civil consequences of criminal convictions and issues of adequate representation for adults and juveniles in the criminal justice system.
• Affordable Legal Services: Evaluate and recommend innovative practices to provide low-cost legal services and expand affordable legal services for persons of modest means.
• American Indian Law: Facilitate relationships between sovereign tribal courts, state courts, and federal courts and promote relationships between the American Indian community and Michigan attorneys.
• Awards: Solicit and review nominations. Make nominations for major SBM awards.
• Character & Fitness: Review applicant files flagged for further evaluation by participating in formal evidentiary hearings and making written recommendations. Present files during formal hearings to the standing committee as State Bar counsel. Note: This application is for the standing committee, which operates separately from the district committees.
• Civil Procedure & Courts: Review proposed court rules and statutes for civil practice in the courts and make recommendations for improving administration, organization, and operation of Michigan courts.
• Client Protection Fund: Review claims and recommend reimbursement of clients from whom lawyers stole money.
• Criminal Jurisprudence & Practice: Review proposed court rules and statutes for criminal procedure and practice in state courts and make recommendations for improving the operation of criminal law and procedure for fair and efficient criminal justice.
• Diversity & Inclusion Advisory: Develop tools, strategies, and programs to improve and support diversity and inclusion in the legal profession in Michigan.
• Judicial Ethics: Prepare written ethics opinions, articles, and other resources to guide Michigan judges on professional conduct; recommend amendments to the Michigan Rules of Judicial Conduct (MRJC); review and make recommendations on proposed amendments to the MRJC; and recommend and support programs and education related to judicial ethics. Note: Open only to currently serving judges.
• Judicial Qualifications: Evaluate candidates for appointment to judicial vacancies and report in confidence to the governor.
• Justice Initiatives: Advise on the implementation of programs to benefit underserved populations including the poor, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people, juveniles, domestic violence survivors, people with special needs, and those on pro bono programs. Work to increase resources for civil legal aid programs.
• Lawyers & Judges Assistance: Propose and support measures to advance the well-being of lawyers, judges, and law students including those experiencing general wellness issues as well as mental health and substance use concerns.
• Michigan Bar Journal Editorial Board: Provide editorial assistance and legal expertise to develop meaningful and substantive articles for the Michigan Bar Journal. This is a working editorial board. Members will help solicit, review, and edit submissions to the Michigan Bar Journal.
• Professional Ethics: Prepare written ethics opinions, articles, and other resources to guide Michigan attorneys on professional conduct; recommend amendments to the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC); review and make recommendations on proposed amendments to the MRPC; and recommend and support programs and education related to professional ethics.
• Professionalism & Civility: Promote civility and professionalism and help teach the concepts in law schools, courts, law firms, and other practice settings.
• Public Outreach & Education: Improve the public’s understanding of the legal system.
• Unauthorized Practice of Law: Propose and support outreach programs to educate the public and the legal professional about the unauthorized practice of law. Review and make recommendations concerning alleged UPL matters.
• United States Courts: Collaborate with the federal judiciary and attorneys regarding proposed federal rule amendments and seek to enhance the quality and efficiency of the federal courts and promote the public’s understanding of the role and functions of the federal court system. Serve as a liaison between the Eastern and Western District courts and makes recommendations concerning the administration, organization, and operation of the courts.
‘Hearsay and Confrontation Objections’ focus of webinar
July 31
The Criminal Defense Association of Michigan will present a webinar on “Hearsay and Confrontation Objections” Friday, July 31, from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
Michigan is rare among jurisdictions in having preliminary hearings that do not permit most hearsay, and robust Confrontation Clause jurisprudence. However, in practice, courts routinely permit hearsay that is not admissible under the rules of evidence or the Constitution. Mastery of the hearsay rules and confrontation jurisprudence is necessary for any defense lawyer to advocate forcefully to judges and prosecutors who have an overly expansive view of what the law permits.
During the webinar, attendees will learn:
• How to recognize and challenge the overuse of prior consistent statements.
• How to understand that a declarant’s availability does not render hearsay objections meritless.
• How to use hearsay to your advantage as a defense attorney.
• Understand that hearsay exceptions do not cure or eliminate Confrontation Clause objections.
Presenting at the webinar will be Blase Kearney, a clinical professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Previously, he was a supervising attorney at NDS Detroit and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. He trains and consults on special litigation matters and teaches trial practice skills at UT Austin.Cost for the webinar is $40 for CDAM members and $50 for non-members. To register, visit https://cdam.wildapricot.org.Summer Planning Meeting conducted by WBA
August 3
The Women’s Bar Association (WBA), Oakland County region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, will conduct its Summer Planning Meeting on Monday, August 3, at 5:30 p.m. at Howard and Howard in Royal Oak.
During the gathering, WBA members will plan for the upcoming year. Food and drinks will be provided.
To register for the meeting, email WBA President Jacky August at jacquelineaugust@rocket.com.
Attorneys provide insights on ‘Gray Divorce’
August 5
The National Business Institute will present a video webinar on “Gray Divorce” Wednesday, August 5, from 1 to 4:15 p.m.
According to USA Today, the divorce rate for Americans over the age of 55 has doubled since 1990. For the family law attorney, the effects of this run deep: from heightened emotions to commingled assets, gray divorce cases have an added layer of complexity. In this course, practitioners discuss the nuances of late-life divorce cases and provide tips for overcoming common challenges.
Topics to be covered during the webinar include:
• Retirement Accounts, Pension Division, and Social Security Benefits in Gray Divorce
• Gray Divorce Asset Division Checklist
• Calculating Spousal Support in a Gray Divorce
• Estate Planning Within the Framework of Gray Divorce: What You Need to Know
Cost for the webinar, which includes course book download, is $299. To register, call 1-800-930-6182 or visit www.nbi-sems.com.
‘Youth Empowerment Solutions’ training offered online for prosecutors
August 6
The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan’s Juvenile Justice &?School Safety Training Project will present a “Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) Training” webinar on Thursday, August 6, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
This presentation will provide the background and evaluation of the Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) program developed at the University of Michigan. YES is an evidence-based after school program designed for middle school youth to prevent violence and its precursors (e.g., delinquency, aggressive behavior), and promote positive youth development (e.g., school and community engagement). YES is an active learning curriculum that provides youth with the scaffolding to become positive change agents in their community. The program culminates in a community project designed and implemented by the youth.
Leading the webinar will be Marc A. Zimmerman, the Marshall H. Becker Collegiate Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity in the School of Public Health, a professor of Psychology, and co-director of the UM Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention all at the University of Michigan. He is also co-director of the National Center for School Safety at UM. He led the development of the CDC and NIH funded Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) project, is director of the CDC funded Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, and has led the development of Busy Streets Theory, an empirically tested conceptual model of resident engaged community improvement. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2024.
There is no charge to attend the webinar but advance registration is required. To register, prosecutors and APAs should visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.”
Summer Cookout hosted by alumni
August 8
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law’s Association of Black Law Alumni (ABLA) will host the Annual ABLA Summer Cookout on Saturday, August 8, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Detroit Mercy Law alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of ABLA are invited to enjoy some tasty grilled treats, great conversation, music, games and more. The Cookout will take place in the Student Parking Lot at Detroit Mercy Law, 651 East Jefferson in Detroit.
Tickets are free. A minimum donation of $10 or more is appreciated. All proceeds support the David Williams II ’82 & Gail Carr Williams ’83 Endowed Scholarship Fund.
To register, visit https://law school.udmercy.edu and scroll down to “Upcoming Events.” Anyone with questions may contact Kimberly Batchelor Davis at 313-596-0229 or batchekn@ud mercy.edu.
General liability webinar presented by MDTC
August 11
The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) will present a general liability webinar on “Whittling Away of the Invitee/Licensee Status: A Review of Past Present and Future Premises Liability Status” Tuesday, August 11, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
Among those speaking on the webinar’s panel will be Kent Riesen of Janson & Riesen LLC
To register for the free webinar, visit www.mdtc.org and click on “events.”
State Bar section offers Summer Mixer
August 11
The Young Lawyers Committee of the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section will host a 2026 Summer Mixer on Tuesday, August 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Jacobs and Diemer, 211 West Fort Street, #1400 in Detroit.
This event offers an opportunity for young lawyers to step away from the billable hours, soak up the summer energy, and connect with peers in a relaxed and casual setting.
To register for the free Summer Mixer, visit https://connect.michbar.org/neglaw/home.
Friend of the Court ADR training offered online
August 11-13
The Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) and the Friend of the Court Bureau (FOCB) will present the “Friend of the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Training” online Tuesday through Thursday, August 11-13, and Tuesday and Wednesday, August 18-19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day via Zoom.
MCR 3.224 provides that the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) will establish training and qualification requirements for persons conducting each type of alternative dispute resolution activity.
This virtual 20-hour training meets SCAO’s training requirements for Friend of the Court staff to conduct facilitative and information-gathering conferences and Friend of the Court domestic relations mediation.
Due to the interactivity of the webinar, participation will be limited to no more than 24 participants. MJI will ensure that as many courts are included in the training as possible.
By registering for this webinar, staff is committed and required to attend all sessions. If there is any reason staff members cannot attend all sessions, they should not register.
To register for the training, visit https://mjieducation.mi.gov and click on “events.” Once registration is approved, MJI will notify attendees of their acceptance to the training
2026 Bench/Bar Golf Outing hosted by bar association
August 12
The Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association will host its 2026 Bench/Bar Golf Outing on Wednesday, August 12, at Northville Hills Golf Club, 15565 Bay Hill Drive in Northville.
Participants can join the federal bench and bar in a day of golf and socializing. Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by golf in a scramble format with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.
Cost is $850 per foursome and $250 per single golfer which includes golf, cart, and an early dinner. Included in the registration fee is dinner, lunch at the turn, drinks, and the opportunity to win raffle prizes. Federal judicial clerks can golf for $110 or pay $35 for dinner only.
For additional information or to register, visit https://edmibar.org and click on “events.” Anyone with questions may email mindy@edmibar.org.
Webinar to focus on traffic offenses, delayed sentences
August 12
The Michigan Judicial Institute will present the “Traffic Offenses, Delayed Sentences, and Collateral Consequences Webinar” online Wednesday, August 12, from noon to 1 p.m.
Recently, courts raised concerns regarding discrepancies between Criminal History Records (CHR) and SOS driving records, while the Secretary of State (SOS) expressed concerns about courts ordering amendments to driving records following the dismissal of criminal charges after delayed sentences.
This webinar will explain the relationship between CHR and the SOS driving records, potential collateral consequences that can result when the records do not align, and possible mitigation strategies.
The webinar is eligible for continuing judicial education (CJE) credit 1.0 [Judicial Practice & Related Areas].
To register for the webinar, visit https://mjieducation.mi.gov and click on “events.”
New Probate Court judge featured online
August 13
In its ongoing efforts to foster collegiality between the Oakland County bench and bar, the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) will continue its “Luncheon Limine” brown bag lunch series between judges and attorneys online via Zoom. “Luncheon Limine: Meet Judge Huddleston” will take place Thursday, August 13, from noon to 1 p.m.
This month will feature newly appointed Oakland County Probate Court Judge Nicole S. Huddleston for an exclusive behind-the-bench conversation. With her first 100 days on the bench now complete, Huddleston will share insights, practical tips, and preferred courtroom protocols for attorneys practicing in her courtroom and throughout the Probate Court.
Participants can bring their questions (and their lunch) for an open, informal discussion on real-world legal issues, advocacy strategies, and what truly makes a difference in the courtroom.
This event is free for OCBA member and $20 for non-members. Space is limited. To register and receive the Zoom details, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.” For questions, contact Cristin Doble at 248-334-3400.
‘CDAM Detroit Tigers Game Day’ hosted
August 16
The Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan will host the “CDAM Detroit Tigers Game Day” on Sunday, August 16.
The event will start with a lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the The Old Shillelagh located at 349 Monroe St. in Detroit. The buffet will feature assorted pizzas, Caesar salad, chicken wings with dips, cookies, and assorted soft drinks.
At 1 p.m., attendees will walk to Comerica Park. The game starts at 1:40 p.m. as the Tigers take on the Chicago White Sox. CDAM’s block of tickets are located in section 138.
Cost for the evening is $50 for CDAM members and their guests, and $75 for non-members. To register online, visit https://cdam.wild apricot.org.Attorney discusses ‘Criminal Procedure (Adjudication)’ online
August 18
The State Appellate Defender Office and the Criminal Defense Resource Center will present the webinar “Criminal Procedure (Adjudication): Caselaw Updates Part II” on Tuesday, August 18, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
This training will review recent Michigan appellate opinions addressing criminal defendants' procedural rights under Michigan and federal law, including the right to the assistance of counsel and self-representation, to confrontation, and to present a defense.
Speaking at the webinar will be Steven Helton, a research and training attorney in SADO’s Criminal Defense Resource Center. He served an assistant defender at SADO from 2018-2025.
To register for the webinar, visit www.sado.org/go/CrimPro2. Anyone with questions may email cdrc@sado.org.
Battle of the Bar softball game pits MDTC against MAJ
August 18
The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel and Michigan Association of Justice will take to the field at the Corner Ballpark for the MDTC/MAJ Battle of the Bar IV softball game on Tuesday, August 18. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the game starting at 6 p.m. at the Corner Ballpark, 1680 Michigan Avenue in Detroit. The friendly sportsmanship competition raises funds for the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL).
MDTC/MAJ members, non-member attorneys, judges, justices, court staff, legal staff, law students, family, friends, and vendors are all invited to cheer on their favorite teams.
To register for the event, www.mdtc.org/event/battle-of-the-bar-iv.
Association plans Judges Banquet and Golf Outing
August 18
The Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association (MIPLA) will host its 2026 Judges Banquet and Golf Outing on Tuesday, August 18, at TPC Michigan, One Nicklaus Dr. in Dearborn.
The Golf & Banquet combo costs $285 a player for MIPLA members and $315 for non-members. Registration, practice, and lunch take place at 11:45 a.m. Call to report to carts for a shotgun start is at 12:45 p.m.
The format will again be a scramble tournament with prizes for lowest overall score, closest to the pin, and longest drive. Included in this package are a cart, beverages, lunch, snacks, and dinner.
The Banquet Only option costs $125 a person for MIPLA members and $135 for non-members. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Awards ceremony and presentation of the MIPLA donation will follow dinner.
To register or for additional information, visit www.mipla.org.
‘Cell Phone Data in Litigation’ examined in webinar
August 18
The Oakland County Bar Association will present a webinar on “Cell Phone Data in Litigation: Technology, Strategy, and Insights from the Inside Out” Tuesday, August 18, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
This webinar will equip attorneys with a practical understanding of how mobile data can shape modern cases. The program breaks down the types of information generated by cell phones—from call detail records and text logs to location data and app activity—and explains how that data is collected, preserved and analyzed. Speaking at the webinar will be Detective Samuel Hannum of the Southfield Police Department.
Credit has been approved with the Oakland County Bar Association for 1 Criminal credit.
Cost for the webinar is $30 for OCBA members and $40 for non-member. Oakland County appointed counsel can attend for free. To register, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.”`
‘Data Literacy for Courts’ presented online
August 18-20
The National Center for State Courts will present its “Data Literacy for Courts” course online Tuesday through Thursday, August 18-20, from noon to 4 p.m. each day.
Courts need staff who can understand, interpret, and use data to support better decisions. NCSC’s “Data Literacy for Courts” course gives court leaders and staff the practical skills to confidently read, understand, and communicate about court data.
Data is one of a court’s most underused assets. When staff at every level can read, question, and apply data, court leaders make better decisions, optimize processes, and measure what’s actually working. Data literacy also creates a shared language across roles, helping teams collaborate more effectively on data quality and performance.
The “Data Literacy for Courts” course is designed for a range of court professionals, including court administrators, judges, clerks, IT staff, analysts, new hires in research and data offices, and any court professional interested in court data. No background in data is required.
As a result of participating in this course, participants will be able to:
• Define data literacy and data governance in the context of court data.
• Describe why data are considered strategic assets of the courts.
• Outline best practices of data quality and data visualization.
• Analyze data reports and visualizations for appropriate and inappropriate use of data.
• Explain the consequences of poor data governance.
• Articulate the concept of a public access policy.
• Describe how poor-quality data visualizations mislead and can lower trust and confidence in the courts.
The “Data Literacy for Courts” course registration is $695. To register, visit www.ncsc.org and click on “Education &?events.”
‘Family Mediation Program’ offered online
August 20
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan will host its second annual Family Mediation Conference virtually on Thursday August 20, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The virtual conference will include four hours of advanced mediation training featuring Michigan practitioners and experts.
Speaking at the program will be:
• Zena Zumeta, “Working with Attorneys in Family Mediation”
• Marya Kolman, “Presenting the Newly Revised Model Standards for Family and Divorce Mediation”
• Shawndrica Simmons, “Beyond the Mediation Room: Using Mediation Skills to Manage High-Conflict Parents in Supervised Parenting Time Cases”
To register for the online conference, visit https://connect.michbar.org/adr/home.
Billing and communication for attorneys discussed online
August 20
The Oakland County Bar Association will present the webinar “Time Matters: What Attorneys Need to Know about Billing and Communication” on Thursday, August 20, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
For most lawyers, success in legal practice requires more than strong legal analysis—it also involves time tracking and robust documentation. Unfortunately, most new lawyers are not taught these vital skills in law school.
In this virtual program, participants will learn from two experienced law-firm billers the basics about how to bill time, meet and maximize billable hours, communicate with partners and clients, and handle documenting in case files. Speaking at the webinar will be Mary C. Aretha, senior research attorney-Court of Claims, Michigan Court of Appeals; and Paul Shkreli of Shkreli Legal PLLC.
Cost for the webinar is $20 for OCBA members, $15 for Professional Development Committee members, $15 for new lawyers and paralegals, $10 for OCBA students, and $40 for non-members. To register, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.”`
‘Bar Night Out’ planned by OCBA
August 20
This summer, the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) Membership Committee presents another evening of networking and delectable food with “Bar Night Out” on Thursday, August 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Grand Tavern Troy, 1317 Coolidge Hwy. in Troy.
Attendees can connect with colleagues while enjoying delicious food, and a cash bar in a festive setting.
The event is free for OCBA members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited. To register, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.”
Anyone with questions may contact Katie Tillinger at 248-334-3400.
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