Put your downtime to work in the new Learning Lounge @ #SBMNext
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.
SPECIAL ALERT: Dues Notice Will (Only) Be E-mailed This Year
Starting this year, the State Bar of Michigan will e-mail dues notices containing a link to annual dues invoices and disclosure forms to members. Making this change is not only more efficient and convenient for members, but it also allows the State Bar to devote bar dues to valuable member programs and services rather than paper and postage.
On September 20, members will receive an e-mail from the State Bar of Michigan inviting them to log into the member area and complete their annual disclosures online and pay their dues with a credit or debit card. If they prefer not to pay online, they can print dues invoices and annual disclosure statements, complete the statements, write checks for dues, and mail the statements and checks to the State Bar's lockbox. The State Bar will provide a phone number for members who experience any log-in difficulties to call to have a dues invoice and annual disclosure statement mailed to them. The State Bar will also send members several reminder e-mails to remind them to complete the dues invoices and annual disclosure statements well in advance of the November 30 deadline, after which a $50 late fee will be assessed.
For those who practice law at a law firm, legal aid office, government entity, corporation, or other entity with more than one attorney on staff with centralized payment processing, those members can access annual disclosure statements and dues invoices online on September 20, print the documents, complete the information requested, and then give the completed documents to an administrator. The administrator can then mail all documents for the attorneys in the entity, along with a check for the total amount of the dues, to the State Bar's lockbox for processing. In order to access their annual disclosure statements and invoices, and pay their dues quickly and easily online or print the documents to mail, members should upgrade their internet browsers to their newest versions.
Members who do not have a valid e-mail address on file will receive a paper dues invoice and annual disclosure statement by mail.
Members with questions should contact SBM Director of Finance & Administration Jim Horsch at 517-346-6324 or jhorsch@michbar.org.
A Lawyer Helps: Here, There, and Everywhere
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.
SBM Alternative Dispute Resolution Section to Host Mediating Attorney Fee Disputes Teleseminar
The teleseminar will be moderated by Grand Rapids attorney and mediator, Robert E. L. Wright. Byron P. “Pat” Gallagher Jr., who serves as a mediator of attorney fee, business, real estate and probate disputes at his East Lansing firm, The Gallagher Law Firm, will discuss the challenges attorney fee disputes can present to mediators. Attorney fee disputes are difficult to resolve because of perceptions, personalities, pride and sometimes bad behavior by one or more participants. To be effective, the mediator must have a basic understanding of attorney fees, fee agreements and related legal and equitable issues. The mediator must be able to marshal this understanding to identify the issues, build trust, build consensus where possible and develop a workable solution.
Participants will learn how the nature of the dispute impacts the mediation; the impact of claims of malpractice, ethical violations and fraud on negotiations; how to deal with attorney-client privilege claims and waivers; authority to settle affected by these variables; factors parties need to address in fee disputes; when attorney fees may be recovered by law or court rule and prevailing standards; common objections mediators are likely to encounter; and answers to questions about dealing with these disputes.
The teleseminar is free for sitting judges, costs $10 for Alternative Dispute Resolution Section members and law students, and $40 for non-section members. To register online or download a copy of the mail-in registration form, visit http://connect.michbar.org/adr/home. For more information, contact Robert Wright at bob@thepeacetalks.com or (616) 682-7000.
Free Legal Assistance Available for Flood Victims in Midland, Isabella, Bay and Gladwin Counties
Flood victims facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer may call 1-800-418-8315 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, to request assistance. When connected to the hotline, callers should identify that they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance, brief details of the assistance needed and in which county they are located. Individuals who qualify for assistance will be matched with Michigan lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal assistance.
The type of legal assistance available includes:
- Assistance securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster victims;
- Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims;
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
- 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; and
- Counseling on landlord-tenant problems.
Flood victims may also visit https://mi.freelegalanswers.org/ to receive free legal assistance online. Individuals who qualify for this service can ask a volunteer attorney questions online and receive a written response.
Background:
When the President declares a major disaster, FEMA, in cooperation with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, establishes a toll-free number for disaster victims to request legal assistance. Funding for the toll-free line comes from FEMA under the authority of Section 415 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 100-107). The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, in turn, partners with state bar associations and other legal organizations to recruit volunteers in affected areas to handle victims’ cases.
Victims should be aware that there are limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (e.g., those cases where attorneys are paid part of the settlement by a court). Such cases are referred to a local lawyer referral service.
Currently, disaster relief services are available to flood victims in Midland, Isabella, Bay, and Gladwin Counties. Low-income flood victims seeking legal assistance outside and surrounding Midland, Isabella, Bay, and Gladwin Counties may contact Legal Services of Eastern Michigan 1-800-322-4512 to find out if they qualify for free legal assistance. For all other flood victims, contact the State Bar of Michigan lawyer referral service at 1-800-968-0738.
Partner Members:
The following organizations have joined forces to establish a toll-free phone line for Midland, Isabella, Bay and Gladwin, Michigan disaster victims to request free legal assistance and to provide volunteer attorneys to handle cases arising from recent flooding.
American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division: The ABA YLD is the largest national organization of young lawyers that provides leadership in serving the public and the profession, and promotes excellence and fulfillment in the practice of law. Its parent organization, the American Bar Association, is the national voice of the legal profession and is the largest voluntary professional membership group in the world.
State Bar of Michigan: Established in 1935, the State Bar of Michigan is composed of more than 45,000 practicing attorneys and judges. The mission of the State Bar is to improve the administration of justice, promote the legal profession, and build public understanding of our legal system. For more information, visit www.michbar.org. Follow SBM on Facebook and on Twitter @MIStateBar. If you are a member of the State Bar, join our group on LinkedIn.
State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section: The State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section is a professional membership organization. The Section’s mission is to sponsor activities of interest and value to young lawyers in Michigan; coordinate activities of the various local young lawyer groups in Michigan; cooperate with, and serve as an integral part of the State Bar of Michigan; cooperate with various local bar associations in the State of Michigan, and the American Bar Association, including its Young Lawyer Division, in the promotion of their programs.
Lakeshore Legal Aid: Lakeshore Legal Aid takes pride in providing Southeast Michigan with excellence in advocacy and civil legal counsel since 1966. Our attorneys offer professional legal advice and counseling, document review and preparation, negotiation, mediation, and representation in court to improve the legal status of the men, women, and families we serve.
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan: LSEM delivers free civil legal assistance to people with limited means. Its mission is to use legal skills to address the causes and effects of poverty. Special emphasis is placed on those issues that affect the survival needs of low-income people. LSEM provides services in 14 Mid-Michigan counties including, Arenac, Bay, Clare, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Lapeer, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, and Tuscola.
ABA joins SBM, State Bar Associations and CloudLaw, Inc. to Expand Online Legal Network
By joining together for the first time in this type of effort, the ABA and other state bars will leverage their combined expertise to create a dynamic, comprehensive, national online network. The network will offer easy-to-use lawyer search, topical legal information and quick connections between legal professionals. The lawyer search platform hosts some 90,000+ lawyer profiles and receives half a million quarterly visits. Combined with the ABA partnership and the scheduled participation of additional state bars, the network expects to reach over half a million lawyer-members by the end of 2018.
"While the online market for legal services has been exploding with confusing and in some cases very questionable options for consumers, CloudLaw has been carefully building the foundation for a credible, convenient alternative backed and developed with the collective input of state bar associations," SBM Executive Director Janet Welch said. "The current CloudLaw network has quietly been benefiting Michigan lawyers and the public for over two years, and its value will increase tremendously over time. The addition of the expertise of the American Bar Association is a crucial step forward."
"The American Bar Association is excited by the opportunity to collaborate with state bars to provide consumers with greater access to lawyers," said Linda A. Klein, President of the American Bar Association. "Technology can only do so much and people still need lawyers to help them solve their problems. We believe that the CloudLaw directory will allow potential clients to find the lawyer they need."
The expanded network will function as a central, searchable hub, while offering the same ethically focused and user-friendly features as the current CloudLaw network. In connection with the launch, CloudLaw will also rebrand the site domain name from zeekbeek.com to cloudlawyers.com.
"Today is a significant step forward in bar associations revitalizing their traditional role by providing a credible and ethically compliant marketplace to deliver legal services on the Internet," CloudLaw, Inc. CEO and President Robert Aicher said. "CloudLaw is proud to be the provider facilitating this online evolution."
Davis-Yancey Law & Associates, PLLC
At Davis-Yancey Law & Associates, PLLC, our goal is to provide aggressive compassionate legal services, as well as empowerment tools to help clients during their law case and when it is over. www.DavisYanceyLaw.com.
Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey is the Founder and received her BS degree from Wayne State University in 1990; Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1994; and Certification in Empowerment Life Coaching in 2010. Gwendolyn has been practicing law since 1994 and is a highly-experienced trial attorney, with specialties predominately in Family Law, Wills & Trusts and Probate Law.
Davis-Yancey Law handles such family law matters as divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, paternity, changes in school district and domicile changes. Davis-Yancey Law also prepares Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Patient Advocates and represents Probate Law clients in matters of Estates, Guardianships and Conservatorships. Attorney Davis-Yancey is a master trial strategist and master negotiator, who is known for handling complex cases. She also uses her empowerment life coaching skills to empower her clients in managing the traumas and family dynamic changes that take place during family law and probate law cases.
Attorney Davis-Yancey has won millions in settlements and trial judgments for her clients and is also known for winning custody/parenting time cases in favor of her clients that line up with the “best interest of the child” Michigan laws. Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey is aggressive yet compassionate towards the special sensitivities that surround family law and probate law cases. Davis-Yancey Law represents clients with Michigan cases, whether you are from Michigan or throughout the United States.
Davis-Yancey Law predominately represents clients with cases in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. However, they also represent clients with Michigan cases in Washtenaw, Ingham, Genesee, Monroe, Kalamazoo and Bay City counties. Attorney Davis-Yancey and her team of lawyers vigorously represent Davis-Yancey clients, as well as provide clients with empowerment tools. Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey and her team of lawyers are available to meet clients at her Southfield or Bloomfield Hills offices! Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey and the Davis-Yancey Law Team is ready and looking forward to helping you and your family!
Davis-Yancey Law & Associates, PLLC 26677 West Twelve Mile Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 (833) TOP-LAW1 or (248) 358-6920 www.DavisYanceyLaw.com
SBM Young Lawyers Section to Host National Trial Advocacy Competition
This year the preliminary rounds will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20 (one round), and from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 (2 rounds). The semi-final and final rounds will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22.
The SBM Young Lawyers Section is now accepting applications to the competition. The deadline is 5 p.m. Aug. 4. Submit your application by emailing ntacsbmyls@gmail.com with the subject line 2017 NTAC Application. Applications should include your law school name, address and phone number; faculty/primary contact person for the competition and that person’s phone number and email address (acceptance to the competition will be emailed to this address only); and a brief description of previous participation in regional and national competitions.
Selected teams will be notified of their acceptance by email on Aug. 8. Teams must accept invitations to the competition by Aug. 11. The registration fee for selected teams is $600, due on Aug. 21. Contact ntacsbmyls@gmail.com with any other questions about the competition.
Do you remember critical federal court rules? Get a refresher at #SBMNext
U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson, of the Eastern District of Michigan, will help you avoid pitfalls and brush up on the procedures for removal and remand, as well as teach you how to keep your civil case on track and sharpen your knowledge of the essential rules for discovery, motion practice, and key local rules.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kurtis T. Wilder, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Christopher M. Murray, and Third Judicial Circuit Judge Lita Masini Popke will teach you best practices for preserving your record. They'll share the secret to preserving issues for appeal, as well as the best way to time objections, make offers of proof and handle evidence.
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 the Annual Meeting/Solo & Small Firm Institute, the NEXT Conference focuses 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.
Save your spot at SBM NEXT Conference.
Attorney Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey Selected For 2016 Michigan Top Lawyer in Family Law!
Michigan Top Lawyer has named Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey as Michigan Top Lawyer in Family Law! At Davis-Yancey Law & Associates, PLLC, our goal is to provide aggressive compassionate legal services, as well as empowerment tools to help clients during their law case and when it is over.
Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey is the Founder and received her BS degree from Wayne State University in 1990; Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1994; and Certification in Empowerment Life Coaching in 2010. Gwendolyn has been practicing law since 1994 and is a highly-experienced trial attorney, with specialties predominately in Family Law, Wills & Trusts and Probate Law. Davis-Yancey Law handles such family law matters as divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, paternity, changes in school district and domicile changes. Davis-Yancey Law also prepares Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Patient Advocates and represents Probate Law clients in matters of Estates, Guardianships and Conservatorships. Attorney Davis-Yancey is a master trial strategist and master negotiator, who is known for handling complex cases. She also uses her empowerment life coaching skills to empower her clients in managing the traumas and family dynamic changes that take place during family law and probate law cases. Attorney Davis-Yancey has won millions in settlements and trial judgments for her clients and is also known for winning custody/parenting time cases in favor of her clients that line up with the “best interest of the child” Michigan laws.
Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey is aggressive yet compassionate towards the special sensitivities that surround family law and probate law cases. Davis-Yancey Law represents clients with Michigan cases, whether you are from Michigan or throughout the United States. Davis-Yancey Law predominately represents clients with cases in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. However, they also represent clients with Michigan cases in Washtenaw, Ingham, Genesee, Monroe, Kalamazoo and Bay City counties. Attorney Davis-Yancey and her team of lawyers vigorously represent Davis-Yancey clients, as well as provide clients with empowerment tools. Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey and her team of lawyers are available to meet clients at her Southfield or Bloomfield Hills offices! Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey and the Davis-Yancey Law Team is ready and looking forward to helping you and your family!
Davis-Yancey Law & Associates, PLLC
(248) 358-6920
www.DavisYanceyLaw.com
Main Office/Mailing Address:
26677 West Twelve Mile Road Southfield, MI 48034
Satellite Office:
7 West Square Lake Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302