The second annual Face of Justice program introduced Lansing high school students to potential careers in the legal system on October 30 at the Hall of Justice in Lansing. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bridget Mary McCormack, State Bar of Michigan Commissioner and Ingham County Court Commissioner Shauna Dunnings, 29^th Circuit Court Judge Michelle Rick, Michigan State Housing Development Authority staff attorney Kara Hart-Negrich, and SBM Director of Diversity and Inclusion Gregory Conyers kicked off the event with welcoming remarks.

A panel, including Judge Michelle Rick, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office General Counsel Kristina Robinson, Mt. Zion Church Associate Minister and law student Arturo Alfaro, and Michigan State Police Recruiting Coordinator Dwayne Gill, spoke to students about their experiences in the law. Students received a tour of the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center led by coordinator Rachael Drenovsky, a courtroom tour led by Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Amy Krause, and “jet mentoring” with attorneys and judges.

Face of Justice mentors included Arturo Alfaro, Steven Beatty, Gergory Conyers, Darin Day, Shauna Dunnings, Jessica Fox, Jaqueline Freeman, Dwayne Gill, Helen Haessly, Judge Andrea Larkin, Daniel Levy, Kara Hart-Negrich, Amanda Page, Judge Michelle Rick, Kristina Robinson, and Jennifer Rosa.

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The State Bar of Michigan Master Lawyers Section will host a seminar, "Managing Your Retirement Savings Through Life Stages" from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the State Bar of Michigan Michael Franck Building, located at 306 Townsend Street in Lansing. 

Chris Siwik, of American Bar Assoiation Retirement Funds will discuss how retirement is a journey that must adapt to the changing needs of each law professional through each of life's stages. Transitioning through life stages can be challenging to manage, but can also bring great opportunities for growth.

The seminar is free to attend for all members of the Master Lawyers Section and guests of the section. Register for the seminar by November 13. 

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The Woman Lawyers Association of Michigan will honor State Bar of Michigan Executive Director Janet K. Welch with the Carolyn A. Stell Award at the 25th Annual Stell Reception, from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. 

Janet Welch is the executive director of the State Bar of Michigan. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the State Bar, implements policies set by the Board of Commissioners and the Representative Assembly, and directs the efforts of State Bar staff.

Ms. Welch, who joined the Bar in December 2000 as general counsel, is the first woman to head the more than 39,000-member statewide organization. A Michigan native, she is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Albion College and the University of Michigan Law School. She is also a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government State and Local Senior Executive Program at Harvard University and was a Fulbright Scholar in comparative literature at the University of Zagreb in the former Yugoslavia.

Before coming to the State Bar of Michigan in 2000, Ms. Welch served as Michigan Supreme Court counsel for four years. She has had an extensive career in state government that started as a legislative analyst for the Michigan House of Representatives. In 1980, she was chosen to create a nonpartisan legislative analysis office for the Michigan Senate, and served as its director for five years before attending law school.

After a clerkship with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert P. Griffin, Ms. Welch accepted a position as executive analyst in the Office of the Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, where her work included analysis of legislative issues affecting the judicial system. In that capacity, she served as reporter for the Commission on the Courts in the 21st Century, and as staff to the Michigan Justice Project. In 1998, the Council of State Governments named her a Toll Fellow for outstanding achievement and service to state government.

The Stell Reception is named in honor of the first female judge on the Ingham County Circuit Court bench, Carolyn A. Stell. At the event, the Stell Award is presented to a local member of the bench or bar in recognition of his or her contributions to the legal community and to the advancement of women in the legal profession. The Carolyn A. Stell Scholarship, a $1,000 grant, will also be presented to a deserving female law student at the reception. Proceeds from the reception benefit the scholarship fund. 

Tickets to the reception cost $40. Register online. Email wlam.mid.michigan@gmail.com with any other questions. 

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The State Bar of Michigan Economics of Law Practice Survey only happens once every three years, but the survey results get used daily throughout the state in courtrooms, law firms, and by lawyers in all occupational areas. Private practitioners can take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/17private, and non-private practitioners can take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/17nonprivate. This year’s survey should take no more than five minutes to complete.

In the 2008 Michigan Supreme Court decision Smith v. Khouri, the court referenced the SBM Economics of Law Practice Survey as the primary resource for trial courts in determining attorney fees. It provides the benchmark for more than 50 specific fields of practice by geographic location.

The survey is designed to capture information relevant to the various occupational areas of Michigan attorneys. Private practitioners will be asked questions about their specific practice areas, and those in non-private practice occupations, such as those working as in-house counsel, in government service, non-profit organizations, academia, legal services, and more, will be asked for information about salaries, benefits, hours worked, and job satisfaction.

When members participate in the survey, their privacy will be fully protected and their replies will remain strictly confidential. Results will be reported in the aggregate only—no individual results will be identifiable. The State Bar will not have access to any respondent’s financial information, and attorneys will not be asked to provide a P number or any other identifying information to take the survey. The survey will be conducted by a third-party vendor on an independent website. However, to help members find the survey, a link to the survey will be provided on the State Bar website.

To sweeten the pot and make participation in the survey a little more fun, participants will be eligible to enter a drawing for prizes, including two $500 Amazon gift cards, and five $100 Amazon gift cards.

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It's not too late to register for the NEXT Conference, the largest legal conference in the state.

Among this year's highlights:

Dan Abrams, chief legal analyst for ABC News and founder and CEO of Abrams Media, will deliver the keynote presentation about "High Profile Trials and Clashes Between Lawyers and the Media" at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28. There is no charge to attend this opening keynote.

Members of the legal profession who have achieved the highest honors in the areas of leadership, professional integrity, and pro bono and community service will be recognized at the Awards Banquet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

World-class educational tracks, which can also be attended as a la carte sessions, will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28 and Friday, Sept. 29, featuring many helpful topics on the most up-to-date legal technology; judicial perspectives; marketing and managing your practice; updates in estate planning, criminal law, tax law, immigration law, international issues in marriage and divorce, and selling the small business; tips for health and disability planning; law firm branding; starting your own practice; and the balanced practice. The faculty includes these top-notch speakers and many more: Hon. David M. Lawson, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan Hon. Kurtis T. Wilder, Michigan Supreme Court Hon. Christopher Murray, Michigan Court of Appeals Hon. Lita Masini Popke, Third Judicial Circuit Court Barron K. Henley, Affinity Consulting Group LLC Ross Fishman, Fishman Marketing Paul J. Unger, Affinity Consulting Group LLC.

On Thursday, Sept. 28, Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen J. Markman will swear in the 83rd president of the State Bar, Donald G. Rockwell, and other officers. In addition, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Michael J. Riordan will swear in the 2017-2018 chair of the Representative Assembly, Joseph P. McGill, and the Michael Franck and Unsung Hero awards will be presented at the assembly business meeting.

Also on Thursday, the All-Member Reception will take place at Cobo Center from 4-5 p.m., and the Celebrating Diversity Reception will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Punchbowl Social in Detroit. Hosted by the Justice Initiatives Committee, the reception will celebrate the diversity of the State Bar, and acknowledge the work accomplished over the past year in support of achieving greater diversity and inclusion in the legal profession in Michigan.

On Friday, the 50-Year Golden Celebration Luncheon will take place from noon to 2 p.m. This event honors lawyers for 50 years of membership in the State Bar of Michigan.

Formerly known as the State Bar Annual Meeting and Solo & Small Firm Institute, the SBM NEXT Conference will focus on the future of law practice by bringing Michigan lawyers together in a whole new way to learn, share ideas, make connections, and more. Tailor the program to your needs by creating your own unique experience. Want to attend a section meeting, grab lunch, and catch an educational session or two? We've got you covered. Or maybe you'd rather focus on education and networking? You can do that too with a new, inclusive "All-Member" lunch and reception. With two day, one day, and a la carte pricing options, it's the conference that fits your schedule. Your conference, your way.

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Date: Wednesday–Friday, September 27–29
Location: Cobo Center, Detroit

What do you have to do at SBM NEXT Conference to be eligible to win a ton of prizes, including a flat screen TV sponsored by the Paul Goebel Group, a Visa gift card, State Bar of Michigan merchandise and more?

Complete four easy steps:
1.Pick up a passport to prizes from the registration desk Thursday morning
2.Collect stamps from exhibitors at their booths throughout the day
3.Turn your completed passport in at the registration desk by 4:15 p.m. Thursday
4.Hang out, enjoy free food and drinks at the All Member Reception from 4-5 p.m. in the Exhibitor Hall to be present (and thus eligible to win) for the prize drawing

It's that easy.

Formerly known as the State Bar Annual Meeting and Solo & Small Firm Institute, the SBM NEXT Conference will focus on the future of law practice by bringing Michigan lawyers together in a whole new way to learn, share ideas, make connections and more. Tailor the program to your needs by creating your own unique experience. Want to attend a section meeting, grab lunch and catch an educational session or two? We've got you covered. Or maybe you'd rather focus on education and networking? You can do that too with a new, inclusive "All Member" lunch and reception. With two day, one day, and a-la-carte pricing options, it's the conference that fits your schedule.

Your conference, your way.

Register Now

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We know you're an Instagram whiz, but in order to compete successfully in the legal marketplace, you've got to figure out how to harness technology to make your work more efficient and effective. Lucky for you, we're offering a brand new technology educational track at SBM NEXT Conference that will help you improve your productivity by utilizing Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant; gain proficiency with PDFs; master Microsoft Word; and get a rapid-fire 60 tech tips in 60 minutes, as well as become effective at paperless trial preparation, prepare a trial presentation on your iPad, and make your case to the jury with legal technology.

New, a-la-carte pricing on educational sessions will allow you to attend only the sessions most beneficial to you, while also fitting in section meetings and educational events, as well as other networking opportunities.

Formerly known as the State Bar Annual Meeting and Solo & Small Firm Institute, the SBM NEXT Conference will focus on the future of law practice by bringing Michigan lawyers together in a whole new way to learn, share ideas, make connections, and more. Tailor the program to your needs by creating your own unique experience. Want to attend a section meeting, grab lunch, and catch an educational session or two? We've got you covered. Or maybe you'd rather focus on education and networking? You can do that too with a new, inclusive "All Member" lunch and reception. With two day, one day, and a-la-carte pricing options, it's the conference that fits your schedule. Your conference, your way.

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If you want to pick up some new skills at SBM NEXT Conference without having to sit through a structured seminar, we're offering just want you want in our all-new Learning Lounge, where you can join in a hands-on learning lab experience with a skilled expert in an informal setting.

The Learning Lounge, which will feature comfy couches and charging stations, will be in operation from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday in Room 250-A at Cobo Center.

Experts will walk you through these topics: "Speech Recognition—Using Dragon NaturallySpeaking in a Legal Practice," "Casemaker Legal Research Training for Beginners," "10 Questions: Things You Didn't Know You Could Get from the State Law Library and Library of Michigan," "Boundless Pro Bono with MI Free Legal Answers," "Building a Powerful Professional Network on Social Media," "Casemaker Legal Research 2.0 Training for Intermediate Users," "Road Warrior's Briefcase—What Do You Need to Carry to Stay Connected and Productive Wherever You Work?" and "E-Filing."

Dan Abrams, chief legal analyst for ABC News and founder and CEO of Abrams Media, will kick off the State Bar of Michigan 2017 NEXT Conference by delivering the opening keynote presentation about "High Profile Trials and Clashes Between Lawyers and the Media" at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, September 28.
Mr. Abrams has a long and celebrated career in legal journalism, previously serving as co-anchor of Nightline, chief legal correspondent and analyst for NBC News, and general manager of MSNBC. In addition, he hosted The Abrams Report, a nightly legal affairs program, and the acclaimed Verdict with Dan Abrams. Dan is the founder of eight web properties including Mediaite, a news and media website; Runway Riot, a fashion site for women of all sizes; The Mary Sue, covering tech and geek culture; and LawNewz, which covers crime and legal news. All told, the Abrams Media Network serves close to 15 million unique visitors per month.

Formerly known as the State Bar Annual Meeting and Solo & Small Firm Institute, the SBM NEXT Conference will focus on the future of law practice by bringing Michigan lawyers together in a whole new way to learn, share ideas, make connections, and more. Tailor the program to your needs by creating your own unique experience. Want to attend a section meeting, grab lunch, and catch an educational session or two? We've got you covered. Or maybe you'd rather focus on education and networking? You can do that too with a new, inclusive "All Member" lunch and reception. With two day, one day, and a-la-carte pricing options, it's the conference that fits your schedule. Your conference, your way.

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When It Rains, Help Pours In. Use your legal skills to help flood victims in Michigan and Texas.

In Michigan: Midland, Isabella, Bay, and Gladwin Counties, Michigan Flood Disaster Relief Legal Services

Low income flood victims are in need of legal services for:

• Counseling on landlord-tenant problems
• Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
• Assistance in consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures
• Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
• Assistance with securing FEMA and other government benefits
• Assistance with life, medical, and property insurance claims
• Help with home repair contracts and contractors

Volunteer Now 

Submit your completed Volunteer Agreement Form to michigandisasterlegalservices@gmail.com.

For more information, see the FAQs.

In Texas: Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Legal Services

The Texas emergency order permits out-of-state lawyers to provide legal services on a temporary basis in a variety of practice areas ranging from brief advice to full representation.

Volunteer Now

The Supreme Court of Texas emergency order, which permits out-of-state lawyers to provide legal services for a 6 month period beginning August 30, 2017, serves as a national call for action to the legal profession, and another opportunity to show Michigan lawyers in action.

Submit the form to the State Bar of Texas, which serves as a clearinghouse for out-of-state lawyer volunteers. Out-of-state lawyer volunteers must also submit the State of Texas Registration for Temporary Practice of Texas Law form before or shortly after providing legal services to Hurricane Harvey victims.

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