Columns

Intellectual property specialty law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC,  celebrating three decades in 2026 of helping innovators protect and grow the value of their ideas, is adding pages to its playbook with addition of two new attorneys in its sports law practice: Mark Meisner and Hunter DeSantis. The announcement was made by Fishman Stewart Co-founder Michael Stewart.

Meisner’s sports law practice focuses on baseball. He is a former D1 five-year collegiate baseball player for Niagara University and in 2017 he became a Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) Certified Agent. Meisner works with athletes and individuals in the baseball world to ensure proper legal protection in all facets, in addition to the management aspect of the sport. 

Before joining Fishman Stewart, Meisner worked as an attorney at another area law firm. He earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, a Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, both from Niagara University.

DeSantis’ focus in the sports law practice is primarily centered around name, image and likeness (NIL) and collegiate athletes, representing players through the intricacies of branding deals and the use of player NIL. He enjoys the challenge of managing the intersection of sports and intellectual property and looks forward to guiding clients toward the best brand protection. 

Prior to joining Fishman Stewart, DeSantis worked as a trial litigation attorney. He earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Michigan State University.

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McDonald Hopkins is pleased to welcome attorney Juliana Cipolla to its Litigation Department and Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. Her practice focuses on incident response and regulatory defense.

“I chose McDonald Hopkins for the opportunity to grow professionally and be part of a team that is truly supportive, something that’s hard to find. I’ve already felt encouraged in my pursuit of success and am excited to learn from such a talented, hard-working group,” Cipolla said.

Prior to joining McDonald Hopkins, Cipolla advised organizations across a range of industries on high-stakes cybersecurity incidents, including ransomware attacks, business email compromise, and third-party breaches. She has experience guiding clients through all phases of incident response, from initial detection and containment through remediation, recovery, and regulatory compliance. She has also represented clients in commercial litigation, consumer class actions, and regulatory enforcement matters arising from data breaches and alleged privacy violations under federal and state laws, including CCPA/CPRA and HIPAA.

“I enjoy data privacy law because it is still so new and it is constantly evolving, especially as different technologies continue to roll out and become implemented in our everyday lives,” she added.

In addition, Cipolla has experience in the cryptocurrency space, where she assisted victims of fraud and theft in tracing stolen digital assets, developing legal recovery strategies, and coordinating with law enforcement to pursue asset recovery. Earlier in her career, she gained experience supporting investigations and litigation involving anti-fraud statutes through her work with the New York Attorney General’s office.

She received her law degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law and a B.A. from the University at Buffalo.

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Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Victoria Padula has joined the firm’s Troy office as an associate.

Padula focuses her practice on probate litigation and fiduciary disputes. She represents individuals, businesses, and fiduciaries in complex matters involving trusts, estates, and related litigation.

Padula’s experience spans probate, commercial, employment, and municipal litigation, and she has represented clients in both state and federal courts, including appellate matters.

Padula is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” She is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Wayne County Bar Association, the Macomb County Bar Association, and the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit, Next Gen. 

Padula received her B.A. from Michigan State University and her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

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Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC is pleased to announce that Michael Fawaz has been reappointed as the Michigan Supreme Court’s nominee to the Michigan Board of Law Examiners. His new term will begin on July 1, 2026, and run through June 30, 2031.

Fawaz is a commercial litigation and appellate attorney based in the firm’s Royal Oak office. In addition to his law practice, he previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and his law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. 

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Lisa Hysni, a Kerr Russell member and chair of the firm’s Real Estate Group, has undertaken a pro bono project to help the Littlefield Community Association (LCA) in northwest Detroit build a neighborhood skate park.

In 2022, the LCA was awarded a $300,000 grant from the Skatepark Project, formerly known as the Tony Hawk Foundation, a nonprofit working to increase access to free outdoor recreation. Using funds provided by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, the grant enables construction of a community-focused development adjacent to Noble Elementary-Middle School and Littlefield Playfield.

Hysni helped the LCA negotiate a license agreement which involved a construction and donation agreement with the City of Detroit whereby the city granted the LCA the right to use the land to construct the skatepark. In addition, she has provided ongoing support to LCA regarding the construction contract.

“It’s been an honor to support the Littlefield Community Association in bringing this vision to life,” said Hysni, who attended the groundbreaking for the project on April 24. 

“This project is about more than building a skate park—it’s about creating a safe, inclusive space where young people and families can gather, stay active, and build community. Seeing the collaboration between local leaders, the city, and dedicated partners has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud to play a small role in a development that will have a lasting positive impact on the neighborhood.”

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Butzel has promoted David A. Siegel to the role of Information Technology (IT) manager. Previously, he was the firm’s infrastructure specialist. 

Siegel is the driving force behind Butzel’s day-to-day technology operations. As the firm’s IT manager, he builds, configures, and maintains every layer of the infrastructure that keeps the firm running – from the networks and servers to the firewalls, cloud platforms, and endpoint security that protect the firm’s data. Siegel leads IT support operations across all offices, serves as the go-to escalation point when complex issues arise, and ensures that every attorney and staff member has the reliable, secure technology they need to serve clients at the highest level. 

Siegel has expertise in networking, server virtualization, and enterprise systems administration. He oversees the firm’s helpdesk operations, and his day-to-day responsibilities span cloud platform management across Microsoft 365 and Azure, endpoint security, hardware lifecycle management, identity and access administration, and the vendor partnerships that extend the firm’s technical capabilities.

For more than five years, Siegel has been a part of Butzel’s Information Technology team. Prior to his role as IT manager, he held several infrastructure and support positions within the organization. Throughout this progression, he has expanded the firm’s technical capabilities, enhanced operational efficiencies, and led key technology initiatives that modernized Butzel’s IT environment.

Before joining Butzel, Siegel gained technology experience in roles spanning the electronics, accounting, business management, and global payment systems industries.
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By his own admission, longtime Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Gene Schnelz had plans for a grand funeral when he passed.

Those plans, unfortunately, fell victim to COVID in December of 2020, just one of countless gatherings around the globe that were cancelled, postponed, or dramatically downsized because of the contagious nature of the disease.  

When the beloved jurist died during that fateful year at the age of 87, his December 7 funeral service was limited to just a few family members so as not to become a super-spreader event. 

“It wasn’t what any of us wanted in terms of a celebration of his life, but under the circumstances it was all that we could do,” said his son, attorney Kurt Schnelz, in the aftermath of the memorial service.

Earlier this month, Judge Schnelz received another posthumous tribute when the Oakland County Bar Association unveiled a memorial plaque in his honor at a special ceremony on Law Day. Four of his former judicial colleagues – Alice Gilbert, Richard Kuhn, Jack McDonald, and Edward Sosnick – also were in the ceremonial spotlight that day with their respective memorial plaques.

While reflecting on the meaningful ceremony, I was led back to the first time I met Judge Schnelz in the spring of 2007. The occasion was a royal retirement salute in his honor that drew hundreds of well-wishers to a reception at a country club in West Bloomfield. 

It was billed as a “series of short talks EULOGIZING the Judge for his sweetness, kindness, patience, wonderful temperament ...”

It was not his funeral. He preferred that wait awhile. When that inevitable day did arrive, however, Judge Schnelz knew that his many friends and admirers would be poised for action.

“Harold Bulgarelli, a longtime friend and a retired district court judge, once told me that he was working on my eulogy and it was up to 40 pages,” Schnelz recalled at the time. “Years later when I asked him how it was coming, he said it was now down to a moment of silence.”

Such humor, whether he was on the giving or receiving end, was a Schnelz trademark. Betty Lowenthal, a longtime Friend of the Court referee in Oakland County, could attest to that fact. She got her first taste while interviewing for a clerkship opening with the newly-minted Circuit Court judge.

“After the usual pleasantries, I think the first question he asked was whether I was a Republican or a Democrat,” Lowenthal said with a laugh. “When I told him that he couldn’t ask me that, he agreed but said that he still wanted to know.”

As the interview neared an end and Lowenthal had a growing sense that she had landed the job, Schnelz had a confession to make.

“He told me that the real reason he was hiring me was because my first name was Betty, the same as his wife’s, and that way he would never forget it.”

Such logic would soon make sense, as Lowenthal quickly gained an admiration for Schnelz’s smarts and legal skill set. 

“He really had a brilliant legal mind,” Lowenthal said, noting that he was such a forward thinker that he even had planned his own funeral.

“He wanted his former law clerks to be the pallbearers,” Lowenthal related. “The reason, he explained, was that he had carried them around his whole life and it was time for them to carry him.”

Schnelz, as was his wont, was skilled at getting the last laugh, even occasionally on the equally adept Bulgarelli, his law partner for 15 years.

At the retirement roast of Schnelz in 2007, Bulgarelli took particular joy in lampooning the honoree.

“Nobody ever got hoarse talking to Gene,” Bulgarelli said in poking fun at the “loquacious nature” of his dear friend.

“Gene once told me that he loves food more than sex,” Bulgarelli continued. “I didn’t believe him until I went over to his house and saw mirrors over the dining room table.”

Others then took their turns at the microphone, alternatively giving the judge some grief and some grace for his personality traits.

By the time of his rebuttal, Judge Schnelz opted to spread some love instead.

“In the middle of a jury trial, there was a sudden tremor and the courthouse actually shook,” he recalled. “Everyone was frightened for the moment and one of the attorneys blurted out that he had never had a room shake like that.

“Noting the anxiety in the jury, I commented that, ‘Well that happens to me every time I kiss my wife.’ Everyone laughed and the moment passed. The thing that pleased me most was that I ordered a transcript of the event and gave it to Betty as a Valentine. It saved me money,” he winked.

By Rabih Hamawi

When your home or business suffers direct physical damage—whether from fire, water, or another covered event—you expect your insurance company to evaluate your claim fairly and promptly pay what is owed. But many policyholders are caught off guard when the insurer requests an Examination Under Oath as part of the claim’s process.

What is an Examination Under Oath (EUO)? An EUO is a formal proceeding where the insurance company questions you about your claim while you are under oath. Think of it as similar to a deposition—but it happens during the claim’s process, not a lawsuit.

What to Expect: You are placed under oath (sworn to tell the truth). The insurer’s attorney asks detailed questions.A court reporter records everything. Your answers can be used to approve or deny your claim.

Why do insurance companies request an EUO? Insurance companies request an EUO as part of their investigation process, particularly when a claim involves complex facts or raises questions that require clarification. The primary goal is to verify the details of the loss, assess the accuracy and consistency of the policyholder’s statements, obtain information about damages sought, and evaluate overall credibility. In many cases, insurers also use the EUO to gather information that could justify limiting or denying coverage under the policy.

An EUO is more likely to be requested in situations involving large or high-value claims, where the financial exposure is significant. It may also be triggered by inconsistencies in prior statements, gaps or missing documentation, or circumstances that the insurer believes warrant closer scrutiny. In some cases, even without clear evidence, insurers may suspect potential fraud and use the EUO to explore that possibility. Claims involving business interruption or loss of income are also commonly subject to EUOs, as they often require detailed financial review and supporting documentation.

 What to do if an EUO is requested after a property insurance claim

Take these steps immediately: Do not ignore the request. Timely submit a Sworn Statement in Proof of Loss. Ask what documents are required. Request clarification on topics to be covered. Prepare thoroughly before attending. Consider legal guidance early.

 What happens during an EUO?

Understanding the EUO process can help reduce stress and ensure proper preparation. During an EUO, you are placed under oath and questioned by the insurance company’s attorney about your claim, while a court reporter records everything in a transcript.

The questions typically cover the cause of the loss, the specific property that was damaged, your financial situation, and any prior claims history. You may also be asked to provide supporting documents, such as receipts, repair estimates, or photos of the damaged property. Preparing in advance and knowing what to expect can help you answer clearly and consistently, protecting your claim from unnecessary challenges or delays.
 
Practical mistakes to avoid during an EUO 

Even small missteps during an Examination Under Oath can put your claim at risk. Common mistakes include: Guessing answers instead of saying “I don’t know.” Volunteering extra information not asked by the insurer. Appearing unprepared or without supporting documents. Being defensive or argumentative during questioning. Failing to review prior statements before attending. Attending an EUO without an experienced insurance attorney by your side.

Avoiding these mistakes helps ensure your testimony is accurate, consistent, and protects your claim from unnecessary challenges.
 
Why you need an attorney for your insurance claim

An EUO can be complicated, and small mistakes can lead to reduced or denied claims. An experienced insurance attorney helps you understand your policy, prepare documents, and answer questions accurately to protect your rights.
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Attorney Rabih Hamawi can be reached at 248-905-1133.

By Michael Waldman

The Supreme Court’s decision to destroy what remained of the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais will take every element of our already broken political system and make it worse. It was not a surprise. But it shocked nonetheless.

What should we do? Boil with fury at the ruling. Scoff at the justices who claim only to call “balls and strikes,” in a game they’ve fixed. But don’t stop there. Yell, loudly, for action by the one part of our government that can do something: Congress.

The Supreme Court’s ruling leaves the Voting Rights Act “all but a dead letter,” as Justice Elena Kagan put it. Callais is a grave blow to racial equality, especially in the South. Scholar Rick Hasen warned, “This decision will bleach the halls of Congress, state legislatures, and local bodies like city councils.” We may see the fastest rollback in representation since the end of Reconstruction after the Civil War. Even if it’s not as bad as that, it will be bad enough.

Arid legal abstractions can have harsh real-world consequences. After the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder ruling, which gutted the most important part of the Voting Rights Act, the gap between white and nonwhite voters’ turnout grew twice as fast in states that were once covered by the strong protections of the law, according to the Brennan Center’s research. Callais will only worsen this disparity, especially since the justices have agreed to rush the implementation of their decision so its effects will be felt as soon as possible.

To perfume its actions, the ruling glorifies, of all things, partisan gerrymandering. And this in the middle of a nationwide redistricting frenzy. Samuel Alito explained that states can deflect even proof of a racially discriminatory map by simply claiming that the manipulative district lines aim to entrench a political party. We aren’t discriminating against Black people, you see. Just against Democrats. Case closed.

After this overt assault on our democracy, Congress has a duty to act.

First, it should ban partisan gerrymandering — immediately. Such a rule would apply to red states and blue states alike. A bill to do this has been introduced by Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Angus King (D-ME), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), building off language from the Freedom to Vote Act. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) put forward the measure in the House.

Such a move is constitutional. None other than Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in 2019’s Rucho v. Common Cause ruling, “[The] Framers gave Congress the power to do something about partisan gerrymandering in the Elections Clause.” He even approvingly pointed to what became the Freedom to Vote Act, which would come very close to becoming law in 2022.

Second, Congress should enact new laws to give citizens a meaningful and robust right to vote, as well as a right to sue if their voting rights have been abridged, diluted, or denied. Judges should be charged with viewing any burden or dilution with extreme skepticism. It should be easier to prove discriminatory intent. And nationwide standards for elections would make them harder to manipulate.

Finally, Callais shows the urgent need for Supreme Court reform, starting with an 18-year term limit for justices. Judicial term limits would restore accountability. They would reflect the core value that nobody should hold too much power for too long. Term limits are broadly popular. The most recent Fox News poll on the issue showed that 78 percent of the public supports them. That’s an awful lot of Republicans, on top of Democrats and independents.

Momentum is growing. A Congressional Black Caucus statement put it well. “Our nation’s highest court has been compromised,” it declared. “The CBC will make it our mission to aggressively advance Supreme Court reform. We will work to establish term limits for justices to help restore independence, neutrality, and legitimacy to the Court.”

This kind of congressional pushback used to be common. But in recent years, a paralyzed and polarized Congress has failed to do its job. This torpor created the opening for an imperial judiciary and an abusive executive. As my colleagues Miriam Rosenbaum and Emily Whitehead noted, “In recent years, the Court has repeatedly gutted landmark pieces of democratically enacted legislation that had earlier survived the Court’s scrutiny.” Citizens United destroyed a century of campaign finance laws, just as Callais finished the job of demolishing the voting rights legislation overwhelmingly passed by Congress and signed into law by a Republican president. Yet Congress failed to restore the Voting Rights Act or repair campaign finance rules, even when Democrats controlled the White House and the legislature.

This year, Americans have been energized around voting issues in response to the egregious SAVE Act, now blocked in the Senate. But rhetoric is not enough, and playing defense surely is not enough. Lawmakers must put at the center of their agenda bold, tough, unflinching steps to restore the health of American democracy.

We need to keep up the fight in the states, too. Already, states have begun a new wave of abusive mapmaking, starting with the suspension of Louisiana’s primary election. Energized advocates are stepping up to defend representation for communities of color. Brennan Center experts are sharing data with lawmakers across the South to make the case that it is not just wrong but chaotic to rush to change district maps.

As ever, the most important role falls to we the people. The Supreme Court has been captured by a faction of a faction. It has acted recklessly to undermine a fair and free democracy. Let’s get passionate on the campaign trail. We should all demand of anyone asking for our votes: What are you willing to do to protect that vote?

We need to do what patriotic Americans have done before. We must turn our anger at an outrageous Roberts Court ruling into a rallying cry for action.
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Michael Waldman is president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. A nonpartisan law and policy institute that focuses on improving systems of democracy and justice, the Brennan Center is a leading national voice on voting rights, money in politics, criminal justice reform, and constitutional law. Waldman, a constitutional lawyer and writer, has led the center since 2005.

By Berl Falbaum

As in Shakespeare’s tragedies, from time to time, we need some comic relief from the state of the world.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s fashion gala held May 4 provided some — at least for me.

I had no idea how badly dressed I was, despite the fact that my wife continually advised me accordingly.  I always remind her that I was way ahead of my time when I wore torn blue jeans, which later became a multi-million-dollar fashion industry. The holes in my clothes were sexier than what they were selling. We could have been billionaires. 

Below is a short list of what some of the most famous on the planet wore to the event. The quotes come from fashion experts and guests.

Beyoncé, best-selling musical artist: She wore a skin-tone mesh base embellished with a diamond skeleton that “traveled all the way down to her fingers.”

It was described as “jaw-dropping.” I guess that’s why it left me speechless.    

Singer, rapper, actor Janelle Monáe’s wild Christian Siriano gown combined electrical cables and circuit board gadgetry with green moss and butterflies for a commentary on nature and technology.

I learned that accessories in her purse, like fuses and fertilizers, did not come with the outfit.

Singer, actress Rihanna displayed a “wild gold and silver metallic look” from Maison Margiela (from who else?) and it came with a guarantee not to rust.

Puerto Rican singer, rapper Bad Bunny — my favorite rapper name — showed up “boldly” in a Zara look (that’s what I thought). He combined prosthetics and make up to make him look like a much older man (not an older bunny.)

He explained: “It’s getting part of my life, always trying to do something different and this day of the Met is a perfect day to explore and be creative and express yourself in a different way, and that’s what I’m doing tonight.”

Good for you, Bad, Bad Bunny.

Global media icon and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian featured a “hyper-realistic body sculpt.” Not just realistic but hyper-realistic.

Her dress was designed in collaboration with artist Allen Jones, who she called “one of my favorites.” 

“So, we took his body plates ... this is a mold of a model from the ‘60s and he painted on top of it,” Kardashian said.

Kardashian said she found out that her sister planned to wear a comparable outfit, so the similar looks were not a total surprise.
Jones must have had two left-over body molds in his studio.  

Podcaster and model Emma Chamberlain wore “a custom Mugler” that was reminiscent of Van Gogh.  She did not cut off her ear for the occasion.

Reality TV star Kylie Jenner’s dress replicated Venus de Milo “with her half-undone dress, and a naked illusion bodice.” Jenner did not cut off her arms.

Actress/singer Rachel Zegler, came dressed as Lady Jane Grey who was executed after only nine days as Queen of England. Zegler did not attend headless but she did wear a blindfold designed by none other than Prabal Gurung — yes, that Prabal Gurung.

Sabine Getty, socialite and jewelry designer, wore a second-skin (as opposed to first-skin) custom featuring a corset hand-painted with a woman’s torso and a set of hands. I want to write that you have to look at the photo to understand that, but that’s not gonna help either.

R&B singer and songwriter SZA’s (not a typo) dress was “crafted” from 100 yards — the length of a football field — of vintage tulle (?), taffeta (?), silk faille (?) and beadwork on lace, all “sourced from eBay.” Big deal! I buy from eBay, too.

In my research, I discovered that one of the most complicated issues was creating the seating chart.  The process begins months before the event. It includes vetting all the guests and making sure those not sleeping with each other anymore are not seated at the same table.

Hey, my Uncle Joe is still mad at my wife and me after many decades for sitting him, at our wedding, next to “deadbeat” cousin Eddie who owed him five bucks.

The theme of this year’s Meta Gala was “Fashion is Art.” The Met encouraged guests to “express their own relationship to fashion as an embodied art form and celebrate the countless depictions of the dressed body throughout art history.”

Believe it or not, that’s just what the guy at my favorite thrift store told me.
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Berl Falbaum is a veteran journalist and author of 12 books.

The Detroit Bar Association has named Brian McKeen, founder and managing partner of McKeen & Associates, as chair of its Medical Malpractice Plaintiff Section.

In this role, McKeen will lead initiatives to support and educate plaintiff attorneys, including hosting networking and educational events and coordinating expert speakers on key issues in medical malpractice law.

“Victims of medical malpractice face significant challenges in finding answers and holding healthcare providers accountable,” said McKeen. “Our goal is to equip attorneys with the tools and support they need to be stronger advocates for those patients.”

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Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido is proud to announce that Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Dale Vande Vrede was awarded the Kimberly M. Cahill Civility Award which is presented by the Macomb County Bar Association to a legal professional who demonstrates outstanding commitment to respectful dialogue and conduct. 

“I am truly honored to accept the award with gratitude, knowing civility is not about recognition, but about choosing respect and doing what is right every day,” said Vande Vrede, who serves as chief of the Drug Unit.

In addition to his courtroom work, Vande Vrede is recognized for mentoring newer attorneys and fostering a collaborative, respectful work environment.

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McDonald Hopkins is proud to congratulate data privacy and cybersecurity attorney Dominic Paluzzi on his selection to Cybersecurity Docket’s Incident Response Elite for 2026.

Paluzzi is the co-chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. He advises organizations on data privacy and cybersecurity risks on both a national and international basis, including pre-breach services, incident response strategies and management, and defense of regulatory enforcement actions and single-plaintiff and class action litigation.

Paluzzi and the data privacy team have counseled clients through over 21,500 data breaches and privacy incidents, where he works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement, forensic investigators and third-party cybersecurity vendors to offer his clients efficient and effective breach response services in compliance with the numerous state, federal, international and industry-specific legal obligations.

This is Paluzzi’s seventh time on the list.

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Taft Detroit partner Thomas Bejin will speak on the panel “Using AI in Patent Litigation: Tools, Tactics and Risks” at the Patent Masters™ 2026 program on June 9. This session will examine the AI tools litigators are using and how they are applying them in practice. The panel will also discuss the strengths and limitations of current AI technologies in litigation and identify areas where additional tools and resources are still needed.

Bejin is a partner in Taft’s Intellectual Property practice, specializing in intellectual property litigation, strategic counseling, and freedom to operate studies. With experience handling patent, trademark, and trade secret cases, he has represented clients in both state and federal courts across the country. 

Bejin’s trial experience includes appearances in more than one hundred cases across more than twenty-five states. He has worked with a diverse range of clients, from start-ups to global corporations, in industries such as automotive technology, electrical surge protection, wireless communication, lasers, robotics, and medical devices. 

More recently, Bejin has focused on representing clients in Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings. His role frequently involves providing strategic advice to guide innovation and enhance shareholder value.

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

—Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice 

Claudnyse Holloman is the chief executive officer at Voices for Children Advocacy Center. Holloman earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and political science from Clarke University and a law degree from Cooley Law School. 

Holloman will be reappointed as a member representing private nonprofit organizations for a term commencing August 3, 2026, and expiring August 2, 2030. 

Sarah Rennie is the director of advocacy at the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. Rennie earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Eastern Michigan University and a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. 

Rennie will be reappointed as a member representing victim or witness advocacy groups for a term commencing August 3, 2026, and expiring August 2, 2030. 

The mission of the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice is to advise the Governor on matters related to juvenile justice legislation and administration, mobilize communities to 
develop and implement comprehensive, data driven prevention services, and create a strategic plan that sets standards, determines priorities, and allocates funds for successful delinquency prevention and rehabilitative programs that promote stronger families, healthier youth, and safer communities.  

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

—Board of Law Examiners 

Michael Fawaz is a commercial litigation and appeals attorney at Howard and Howard Attorneys PLLC. Fawaz was previously an adjunct law professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Fawaz earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. 

Fawaz will be reappointed as the nominee of the Michigan Supreme Court for a term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2031. 

The Board of Law Examiners is responsible for investigating and examining all persons who initially apply for admission to the Michigan bar. The Board may adopt suitable regulations, subject to approval by the Supreme Court, concerning the performance of its functions and duties.  

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

—Michigan Indigent Defense Commission 

Sofia Nelson is a program director of the MDefenders Program and a lecturer at the University of Michigan Law School. Nelson previously served as a staff attorney at the Neighborhood Defender Service and as an assistant appellate defender at the State Appellate Defender Office. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and women and gender studies from Tufts University and a law degree from Yale Law School. 

Nelson is appointed to as a member submitted by the State Bar of Michigan for a term commencing April 30, 2026, and expiring April 1, 2030. Nelson succeeds David Jones, whose term has expired. 

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.   

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.