OCBA rolls out 'Court Rules' seminars

The Oakland County Bar Association kicks off the winter semester of OCBA U, its innovative continuing professional development program, with a series of seminars focusing on effective trial practice in Oakland County. The classes, called "Court Rules," begin Jan. 12 at the OCBA offices. "The OCBA recognizes professional development is important throughout a lawyer's career. In the case of litigators, the best people to teach them what it's really like to represent clients in Oakland County courts are the very judges and the court personnel who work there," said OCBA President David Anderson. "They have important advice to share with experienced attorneys as well as new lawyers entering the courtroom for the first time." Each "Court Rules" seminar focusses on a different Oakland County Court. Judicial staff attorneys will lead off each seminar with an overview of pretrial matters and effective motion practice. The second part of each seminar will be a moderated panel of sitting judges discussing best practices in oral advocacy and the do's and don'ts of practicing in their courtrooms. The Jan. 12 seminar covers Oakland County Circuit Court-Civil Cases with J. Scot Garrison, staff attorney to Hon. Rae Lee Chabot and Judges Martha D. Anderson, Shalina D. Kumar and Phyllis C. McMillan. Attorney Sarah Kuchon of Hohauser Kuchon will moderate the panel. On Feb. 9, Victoria King, staff attorney to Hon. Leo Bowman and Judges Leo Bowman, Hala Jarbou, and Michael Warren will discuss Oakland County Circuit Court Criminal Cases. Criminal Defense Attorney, J. Randall Secontine, will serve as moderator. The series continues on March 9 when Jacob Cunningham, staff attorney to Hon. Mary Ellen Brennan and Judges Mary Ellen Brennan, Jeffrey S. Matis, and Karen McDonald outline procedures on Oakland County Family Court. J. Matthew Catchick of Catchick Law will moderate this event. The series winds up on April 13 with a discussion on Oakland County Probate Court. Ryan Deel, staff attorney to Hon. Linda S. Hallmark as well as Judges Linda S. Hallmark, Daniel A. O'Brien, and Kathleen A. Ryan will participate and attorney Chiara Mattieson of the Prince Law Firm will moderate. Plans for seminars covering Oakland County District and Business Courts are underway. Seminar fees for the "Court Rules" series are $40 per seminar for OCBA members and $80 for non-members. Register online at www.ocba.org/events. The Oakland County Bar Association offices are located at 1760 South Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302. Published: Tue, Jan 10, 2017