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Calendar

1. December 15 Mark the Date
   Attorneys discuss ‘Compliance Foundations Under IDEA’
   December 15
   Clark Hill will present the webinar “Special Education Bootcamp - Compliance Foundations Under IDEA: Part 2” on Monday, December 15, from 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
   Whether new to special education leadership or looking to reinforce foundational knowledge, this interactive webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the core compliance requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Designed for special education administrators, building principals, ISD supervisors, and other district leaders, this session blends legal insight with practical tools to help teams ensure that placement determinations align with both IDEA requirements and sound educational practice.
   The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees that students with disabilities are educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate to their individual needs. Yet, translating that legal standard into everyday practice often challenges even experienced educators and administrators in a post-COVID environment presented with staff shortages, limited capacity within existing programs, and students presenting with increasing need.
   This webinar will unpack the legal framework surrounding LRE, including recent hearing decisions, state guidance, and practical implications for IEP development and placement decisions. Attendees will gain clarity on:
   • The federal and Michigan standards governing LRE and placement decisions.
   • How to document meaningful consideration of supplementary aids and services.
   • Common compliance pitfalls and strategies to mitigate legal risk.
   This session will be led by Jordan Bullinger and Vickie Coe, experienced education attorneys with Clark Hill’s Education Law Group. Together, they bring experience representing school districts in special education and disability law matters, as well as training educators and administrators across Michigan.
   For additional information or to register for the webinar, visit www.clarkhill.com and click on “News & Events.”
   
   ‘Holiday Happy Hour’ hosted by SABA 
   December 16
   The South Asian Bar Association of Michigan will host a “Holiday Happy Hour” on Tuesday, December 16.
   Beginning at 4:30 p.m., members and guests will gather at Social Birmingham, 225 E. Maple Rd. in Birmingham.
   To register for the happy hour, email michigansaba@gmail.com.
   
   Speaker discusses ‘Right to Self-Defense in Jury Trials’
   December 16
   The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) will present a webinar on “Reconceptualizing Preservation of the Right to Self-Defense in Jury Trials” Tuesday, December 16, from noon to 1 p.m.
   The right to self-defense is one of the oldest and most universal concepts in Anglo-American criminal law and criminal procedure. Nonetheless, trial judges across the country are being absolved of erroneously denying the accused’s valid request for a substantiated self-defense jury instruction based on personal opinions, prejudices, and biases about the credibility of the accused’s case.
   Speaker Anjali Pathmanathan, visiting lecturer and former public defender, studied this phenomenon and wrote a law review article, “Directing Unconstitutional Verdicts: Discussing Strategies to Combat When Judges Become Jurors on Self-Defense.” She came to the conclusion that these trial judges are essentially directing verdicts of guilt against the accused. So what can trial counsel do to combat this practice and stop trial judges from usurping the jury’s role in this unconstitutional manner?
   This webinar will offer a reconceptualization of how trial counsel can argue and preserve their client’s right to the jury’s consideration of their self-defense claim, while, hopefully paving the pathway for more fair jury trials and, if needed, subsequent appeals.
   Pathmanathan is a visiting lecturer in law, criminal legal system advocacy Fellow, and associate research scholar in law at Yale Law School. Prior to joining Yale, she was an assistant professor of legal writing at St. John’s University School of Law and an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Law at Brooklyn Law School.
   Cost for the webinar is $50. To register, visit https://publicdefenders.us/event/self-defense-in-jury-trials.
   
   Firm hosts ‘2026 Tariffs Outlook’ webinar 
   December 16
   It has been a turbulent year with new baseline tariffs on all countries; country-specific tariffs on products from Brazil, Canada, China, India, and Mexico; and product-specific tariffs on autos and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and parts, buses, and steel, aluminum, copper, and timber and lumber and their derivatives. 
   Butzel’s Global Trade and Tariff Team is hosting a free webinar titled “2026 Tariffs Outlook – How to Mitigate Risks and Claim Refunds” on Tuesday, December 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. 
   In this webinar, attorneys Jennifer Smith-Veluz, Mitchell (“Mitch”) Zajac, Catherine Karol, and Priya Dalal of Butzel’s International Trade, Tariffs, and Customs Specialty Team, will provide a practical explanation of:
   • The current tariffs and how they stack up together.
   • The U.S. Supreme Court cases challenging some of these tariffs and possible opportunities for claiming refunds.
   • Strategies for mitigating tariff risks.
   • The importance of understanding Incoterms.
   • Whether tariffs are a basis for invoking force majeure.
   Butzel attorneys also will look ahead to potential additional tariffs that may be imposed in 2026 and the impact of the tariffs on jobs, businesses, and investment.
   To register for the “2026 Tariffs Outlook” webinar, visit www.butzel.com/event-2026-tariffs-outlook-how-to-mitigate-risks-claim-refunds.
   For up-to-date news on tariffs, trade, and business implications, visit the Tariff and Trade Resource Center on the Butzel website at www.butzel.com/resources-trade.
   
   Women’s Bar Book Club to meet
   December 16
   The Women’s Bar Association (WBA), Oakland County region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, will present its next Literary Ladies Book Club online Tuesday, December 16, at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
   For the December meeting, the club will be discussing “Like Mother, Like Mother” by Susan Rieger. This book is based, in part, in Detroit and follows three generations of strong-willed women navigating their way through life and its various challenges.
   Anyone interested in attending this event, or joining the Literary Ladies for the monthly Book Club in the future, should email Natasha Rao at natasha-rao@hotmail.com.
   
   ‘Problem-Solving Courts Certification Process’ focus of webinar
   December 17
   The Michigan Judicial Institute will present a webinar on “Problem-Solving Courts Certification Process” hosted by Problem-Solving Court (PSC) Wednesday, December 17, from 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
   This training will provide a comprehensive overview of the PSC certification process, what is required to achieve certification, and the certification site visit process. This training is intended for coordinators and other leaders of adult problem-solving courts, especially those who have a certification site visit in 2025. 
   For registration information, contact PSC@courts.mi.gov. After registering, participants will receive a separate e-mail with the Zoom credentials.
   
   Panel to discuss UPL regulations regarding AI
   December 17
   The National Center for State Courts will present a webinar on “Modernizing Unauthorized Practice of Law Regulations to Embrace AI-Driven Solutions & Improve Access to Justice” Wednesday, December 17, from 1 to 2 p.m.
   The growing access-to-justice crisis coupled with the rapid pace of AI innovation creates a unique opportunity for state courts and bar associations to meet the moment by adopting regulatory reforms that support AI-fueled legal service delivery tools to responsibly assist with legal needs. The TRI/NCSC AI Consortium for Law & Courts offers this webinar featuring a panel discussion on potential reforms to unlicensed practice of law (UPL) regulations.
   Following this session, participants will be able to describe current access to justice challenges, the range of state approaches to UPL, and three potential approaches to UPL reform.
   Speaking at the webinar will be:
   • Stacey Marz, administrative director, Alaska Court System
   • Cathy Cunningham, senior specialist legal editor, Thomson Reuters (recorded message)
   • Dyane O’Leary, director, legal innovation & technology, Suffolk University Law School
   • Nathanael Player, co-founder, Justice by Design
   • Colin Rule, CEO, odr.com
   To register for the webinar, visit www.ncsc.org and click on “Education &?events.”
   
   Straker, Wolverine Bar plan Holiday Party
   December 18
   The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association and Wolverine Bar Association will host their Holiday Party on Thursday, December 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at LYV Detroit, 20238 Livernois in Detroit.
   The event will feature live DJ, appetizers, and handcrafted cocktails. Net proceeds from the party will benefit a local charity of Michigan
   Cost is $25 for Straker, Wolverine, and BWLAM members; $35 for non-members; and $15 for students. To register, visit www.give butter.com/LYVholidayparty2025.
   
   ‘Traffic Safety Legal Update’ presented online by PAAM
   December 18
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan will present the Traffic Safety Training Program Webinar “End-of-Year Traffic Safety Legal Update” on Thursday, December 18, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
   This webinar will wrap up the year with a review of traffic-safety-related cases from 2025. PAAM’s traffic safety resource prosecutors, Kinga Canike and Eric Wanink, will go over important cases that came down from the U.S. Supreme Court as well as from Michigan’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals that impact disclosure of evidence, search warrants, traffic stop investigations, impaired driving investigations and prosecutions, and the ever-changing laws surrounding marijuana investigations in Michigan. They will provide an overview of each case’s issues, analysis, and holding with recommendations for moving forward and implementing best practices based on the court’s holding. 
   To register for this free webinar, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “training.” 
   
   Lunch & Learn discussion to focus on victim rights
   December 18
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan’s Victim Services Training Unit will host an online lunch-time discussion between and among victim advocates. The Victim Advocates Lunch & Learn “Lettuce Talk” will take place online Thursday, December 18, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   PAAM VSTU plans to offer victim rights related topics to prompt discussion. It also looks to this opportunity as a way to maintain community among victim advocates across Michigan. This meeting is for AG advocates and prosecutor-based victim advocates only.
   To register for the online discussion, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.” After registration is approved, participants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom access link.
   Anyone with questions may contact Alex McGowan at McGowanA1@michigan.gov, Bill Dailey at DaileyB2@michigan. gov, or Jeannie Wernet at WernetJ @michigan.gov.
   This training is supported by a Crime Victim Rights Award. This award was made to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim Services.
   
   ‘AI Obstacles and Opportunities’ discussed online
   December 19
   The Solo & Small Firm Section of the State Bar of Michigan will present a “Lunch & Learn Seminar—AI Obstacles and Opportunities” online Friday, December 19, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
   Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the practice of law—streamlining workflows, transforming client expectations, and introducing new ethical and regulatory challenges. 
   During this online program, guest speaker, Patrick Barry, University of Michigan Law School professor and author, will discuss both the risks and rewards of integrating AI into a legal practice. Barry will cover the topics of:
   • Ethics When Using AI
   • The AI Spectrum
   • Using AI to Your Advantage
   To register for the online Lunch & Learn, visit https://connect.michbar.org/solo/home.
   
   ‘Building an Unstoppable Law Firm’ explored online
   December 23
   The National Business Institute will present a live video webinar on “Building an Unstoppable Law Firm: A Boot Camp for Attorneys” Tuesday, December 23, from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
   Running a law firm is stressful and exhausting for attorneys managing cash flow, juggling billable hours with administrative tasks, and choosing the right tech tools for practice management. The good news, though, is that there are ways to ease the pressure. 
   During the webinar, expert practitioners will reveal tips and tricks for building and running a thriving law firm with confidence. Attendee will learn how to:
   • Streamline workflow through automation.
   • Gain tips and tricks for staying profitable and getting paid.
   • Examine best practices for hiring and leading support staff.
   • Take a pulse on the latest legal tech trends small firms need to know.
   (Any mention of specific products in this program is intended as part of a general overview and does not constitute NBI’s endorsement or recommendation of any specific product or provider. This program is not sponsored by any technology or electronics provider.)
   Cost for the webinar, which includes course book downlaod, is $299. To register, call 1-800-930-6182 or visit www.nbi-sems.com.
   
   Ethics of client onboarding discussed online
   December 30
   The National Business Institute will present a live video webinar on “Client Onboarding: An Ethical Action Plan for Attorneys” Tuesday, December 30, from 2 to 3 p.m.
   From the first conversation to the final signature, every step of client intake can present ethical challenges. This course offers practical guidance on conflicts of interest checks, obtaining informed consent, and setting expectations and boundaries. 
   Topics to be covered include:
   • When Does the Attorney-Client Relationship Begin?
   • Conducting Comprehensive Conflict Checks
   • Scope of Representation and Informed Consent
   • Setting Clear Expectations: Communications, Timelines, and Outcomes
   • Engagement Letters and Fee Agreements: Ethical Dos and Don’ts
   • When and How to Decline or Terminate Representation
   Cost for the webinar, which includes course book download, is $199. To register, call 1-800-930-6182 or visit www.nbi-sems.com.
   
   New virtual support group for attorneys to start in January
   January 6
   The State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program (LJAP) is offering a free, confidential virtual support group for attorneys to help each other work through stress, improve their overall well-being to maximize professional competency, and connect with their peers 
   Due to increasing demand, participation will be limited to 24 participants. Meetings will begin Tuesday, January 6, 2026, and take place via Zoom on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, from 6-7 p.m., ending February 25, 2026. All meetings are facilitated by an LJAP clinical case manager. 
   The schedule of topics will be: 
   Week 1: How do you cope? 
   Week 2: Barriers to billing 
   Week 3: Overlooked hurdles of practice 
   Week 4: Setting healthy boundaries 
   Week 5: Dealing with challenging personalities 
   Week 6: Identity and self-esteem 
   Week 7: Unique stressors of the profession 
   Week 8: Gratitude 
   To register for the group, visit www.michbar.org/generalinfo/ljap/home. For additional information, contact LJAP at contactljap@ michbar.org or 800-996-5522.
   
   ‘Improving Public Safety and Outcomes for Youth in Michigan’ discussed
   January 7
   The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan’s Juvenile Justice &?School Safety Training Project will present the webinar “Improving Public Safety and Outcomes for Youth in Michigan” on Wednesday, January 7, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
   This presentation will include information on how the mandatory screenings tools and assessments should be employed.
   Speaking at the webinar will be Josh Weber, director, Youth and Juvenile Justice, The Council of State Governments (CSG). Weber directs the CSG Justice Center's juvenile justice program, which focuses on helping states use effective methods to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth in contact with the juvenile justice system. 
   Previously, Weber spent 10 years working on building the capacity of programs and systems that serve vulnerable youth in the juvenile justice, youth development, workforce development, and child welfare systems. He managed research programs for the Youth Development and Research Fund in Maryland and the Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. 
   In addition, Weber led the development and implementation of NYC Administration for Children’s Services' alternative to placement and reentry program for juveniles using evidence-based practices. He also directed the District of Columbia’s Justice Grants Administration, which managed all federal juvenile and criminal justice grants for the District. 
   There is no charge to attend but advance registration is required. To register, prosecutors and APAs should visit https://michiganprose cutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.”
   
   Judges, coach featured in ‘Devil in the Details’
   January 8
   The Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association will present its third event in its Women’s Series with “Devil in the Details” on Thursday, January 8, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the offices of Warner Norcross + Judd, 2715 Woodward Ave., suite 300, in Detroit.
   It’s often the small things that make the biggest impact. “Devil in the Details” offers an interactive afternoon/evening featuring “Your Benchmark Coach” Elizabeth Jolliffe and a lineup of many local female District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and magistrate judges. Jolliffe will kick off the program with strategies for recognizing the details that can elevate—or detract from—a practice. Attendees will then break into small, judge-led discussion groups to explore practical topics including:
   • Professional Demeanor
   • General Communication
   • Zoom Meetings & Virtual Courtroom Presence
   • Dress & Appearance
   The registration fee includes all programming along with food and wine. Cost is $49 for members and $68 for non-members and guests. To register, visit https://edmibar.org and click on “events.”
   
   ‘Ethical Troubleshooting Guide’ presented online
   January 9
   The National Business Institute will present a live video webinar on “What to Do When You Make an Error: An Ethical Troubleshooting Guide” Friday, January 9, from11 a.m. to noon.
   While admitting to a slip-up is a tough pill to swallow, what truly matters is how to respond to it. The webinar’s speaker will discuss essential guidelines for addressing legal fumbles. Attendees will gain the insights needed to turn blunders into teachable moments.
   Topics to be covered include:
   • Owning the Oversight: When Attorneys Are Required to Disclose Mistakes
   • Duty in the Details: Who You Need to Inform, and Why It Matters
   • Disclosing Errors: What to Say and Tips for Navigating the Conversation
   • Repairing the Record: Legal Steps to Correct Mistakes and Safeguard the Client's Interests
   • Preventing Recurrence: Tips for Implementing Ethical Safeguards in Your Law Practice
   • Malpractice Insurance: What You Need to Know
   Cost for the webinar, which includes course book download, is $199. To register, call 1-800-930-6182 or visit www.nbi-sems.com.
   
   Vision board event presented by WLAM
   January 10
   The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan will present a Vision Boards program on Saturday, December 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Baldwin Public Library, 300 W. Merrill St. in Birmingham
   This interactive event with Zenell Brown will guide participants through a step-by-step process to visualize and manifest goals and aspirations.
   During the workshop attendees will:
   • Learn about the power of visualization and manifestation
   • Set intentions and goals for the year ahead
   • Choose inspiring images and quotes that resonate with you
   • Create a beautiful and personalized vision board
   All supplies will be provided, but participants are free to bring their own favorite magazines or images. Space is limited. To register, visit https://womenlawyers.org and click on “events.”
   
   Family Treatment Court focus of online program
   January 12
   The Michigan Judicial Institute continues its “Michigan Family Treatment Court Community of Practice (CoP) Series” hosted by Problem-Solving Courts (PSC) online Monday, January 12, from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
   The Family Treatment Court Community of Practice Series (FTC CoP) provides opportunities for cross-system, peer-to-peer networking, and learning. FTC teams are encouraged to participate in sharing barriers they are experiencing, gaining knowledge on pertinent topics, offering support through challenges, and brainstorming solutions.
   This training does not offer MCJE credits. To register, visit https://cvent.me/KOKO45. Once registration is approved, participants will receive a confirmation e-mail with Zoom details.
   

   
   

   Levin Center seeks applications for fellowship

   January 31
   The Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University Law School pleased to announce that it is seeking applicants for its Elise J. Bean Oversight Fellowship Program to encourage scholarly research on oversight investigations conducted by Congress or the 50 state legislatures and related topics.
   The Levin Center seeks to promote research on oversight by legislative bodies with the ultimate goal of fostering high-quality fact-finding and oversight investigations that are not captive to partisan interests. This fellowship program is established to encourage scholars early in their careers, including post-doctoral students and professors, to conduct research and produce papers with useful research results related to oversight by legislators.
   For 2026/27, the fellowship offers $10,000 to support a one non-resident scholar to conduct research and produce a scholarly paper on issues related to congressional or state-level oversight. Research topics may include issues such as: 
   • Constitutional and political theories underlying oversight.
   • Optimal staffing for oversight committees.
   • Measures to gauge the extent and effectiveness of bipartisan oversight.
   • Impact of oversight on policy outcomes.
   • How legislative fact-finding affects the public’s understanding of issues.
   • How legislative oversight interacts with efforts by the media and other actors to hold government accountable.
   • Oversight performance measures.
   • Oversight decision-making styles.
   • Consensus fact finding.
   • Examining oversight gaps.
   • Developing new oversight databases or committee oversight dashboards.
   • History of oversight in a particular subject area or committee.
   • History of one or more famous oversight practitioners; and
   • Other oversight-related issues on the congressional or state level.
   There are no teaching obligations. Funding may be used to compensate the scholar’s work and defray research expenses related to, for example, obtaining research data, engaging in travel, or hiring an assistant. No indirect costs can be covered through the fellowship. Funds will be paid out in two installments over the 12 month period. 
   The Fellow must agree to present the resulting research paper at an event sponsored by the Levin Center and for the paper and event to be promoted through academic channels, including the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy’s website and list-serves. The Levin Center may offer an opportunity to publish the paper in a law review or journal sponsored by Wayne State University Law School. 
   To apply, visit https://levin-center.org/levin-center-at-work/awards/oversightscholars-fellowship. Applications will close on January 31, 2026.