GLS Winter Seminar to focus on election law issues, topics

The State Bar of Michigan’s Government Law Section (GLS) will present its Winter Educational Seminar on Friday, March 20 at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Rd.

“The 2026 GLS Winter Educational Seminar will feature a dynamic lineup of timely and engaging government law topics designed to balance both substantive and practical demands,” said Julianne Pastula, treasurer of the GLS. “This year’s program focuses on Election Law, covering everything from the fundamentals of election administration and Election Day operations, to navigating post-election FOIA requests. 

“The seminar offers a valuable opportunity to hear directly from practitioners with hands-on experience administering elections, stay current on key legal developments, and connect with colleagues,” added Pastula, who is the director of the Department of Appeals and Hearings for the City of Detroit.

The title of this year’s program is “Government Law in Practice: Law, Security, and De-Escalation.” Kristin Kolb, chair of the GLS, will offer opening remarks prior to the first segment, which is titled, “Overview of Elections in 2026: The Local Government Role.” Megan Lizbinski, deputy city clerk for the City of Dearborn, will be the featured speaker, while “The State and Federal Role” segment will include remarks by Adam Fracassi, deputy secretary for the Board of State Canvassers. 

At 10:30 a.m. on March 20, a discussion on “Election Security: Workers, Voters, and the Law” will feature a presentation by Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist. The segment will be followed at 11:15 a.m. by a program titled, “FOIA: Protected Information and the Public’s 

Right to Know.” The segment will feature Nicole Tabin, corporation counsel for Oakland County, and Kristin Kolb, a senior attorney with the Farmington Hills law firm of Rosati Schultz Joppich & Amtsbuechler.

Following a lunch provided by Cass Catering, a 1 p.m. program titled “De-Escalation & Disruption Response” will be presented by Daniel Baxter, chief of operations for Detroit Elections, and Sarah Lutz, city clerk for Traverse City.

At 2:30 p.m., a program on “Getting on the Ballot – and Surviving Review: Law, Language, and Lessons Learned” will be featured. Leading the presentation will be Kristin Duffy, of the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting at Cooley Law School, and Adam Fracassi of the Board of State Canvassers. 

A roundtable discussion at 3:45 p.m. will conclude the March 20 program, and will serve as an opportunity for asking questions, raising concerns, and sharing issues and successes involving government law issues.

Registration is available online at: SBM Government Law Section Winter Educational Seminar. 

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