You won't want to miss the opportunity to get the latest developments in case law, invaluable technology, and practice management tips at the Upper Michigan Legal institute, taking place this year during the Lilac Festival on June 14 and 15 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Sessions this year will provide updates on criminal, marijuana, real property, business, tax and family law; the art and science of persuasion; evidence double jeopardy and key evidentiary rules; durable power of attorney and estate planning; and zoning and land use. Register now. Continue reading

The latest episode of the State Bar of Michigan’s On Balance podcast features Harry Nelson, who discuss potential solutions to the opioid crisis. Hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Tish Vincent talk to him about the opioid crisis and his book, “The United States of Opioids: A Prescription For Liberating A Nation In Pain.” They discuss the needs for reform in healthcare laws and greater access to treatment for opioid addictions. Harry Nelson is founder and managing partner of Nelson Hardiman. On Balance, on the Legal Talk Network, delivers useful and entertaining ideas on managing life as a lawyer. To subscribe to... Continue reading

The State Bar of Michigan’s fifth annual Brunch for Bars will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, at the Fort Shelby Double Tree Hotel in Detroit. This year’s brunch will focus on building membership through inclusiveness. Those in attendance will identify strategies to solve challenges every membership-based organization faces, including vying for the limited time of members, handling differences in the ways generations calculate return on time invested in volunteer efforts, and retaining relevance in a rapidly changing professional environment. The brunch, sponsored by the SBM Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, will take place the morning after... Continue reading

The State Bar of Michigan invites individual attorneys, law firms and corporations to apply for the 2019 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll (Honor Roll) by March 20. SBM is launching the Honor Roll this year to offer individual attorneys and solo practitioners recognition for their qualifying pro bono service for the first time, in addition to recognition provided to law firms and corporations. The Honor Roll will recognize Michigan attorneys who have provided 30 or more hours of pro bono legal services in the previous calendar year. Individual attorneys, law firms and corporations will be recognized at one... Continue reading

The State Bar of Michigan Alternative Dispute Resolution Section will host a teleseminar about how best to prepare to mediate and arbitrate from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. The teleseminar will feature a panel discussion focused on advice and anecdotes from senior, experienced practitioners on best practices, techniques, common mistakes to avoid and how best to prepare that will be moderated by Michael S. Leib, a mediator with Leib ADR in West Bloomfield. Panelists include Earlene Baggett-Hayes, founder and owner of the Law and Mediation Center in Pontiac, and Zena Zumeta, president of the Mediation Training &... Continue reading

The latest episode of the State Bar of Michigan’s On Balance podcast features Judge Michelle Rick and attorney Kim Jones, who discuss the problems faced by people with unmet civil legal needs due to an inability to secure legal representation. Guest host Darin Day talks with them about rule changes for limited scope representation in Michigan that aim to decrease the justice gap. They describe the new rules and provide examples of how Michigan attorneys can provide these types of limited legal services to clients. They also encourage lawyers to check out the Limited Scope Tool Kit. On Balance, on... Continue reading

Nominations are now open for major State Bar of Michigan awards that will be presented at a 2019 awards celebration. These awards include the Roberts P. Hudson Award, Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award, Champion of Justice Award, Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award, John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award and John W. Reed Michigan Lawyer Legacy Award. All nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb.15. An awards committee co-chaired by SBM Vice President Robert J. Buchanan and SBM Secretary Dana M. Warnez reviews nominations for the Roberts P. Hudson, John W. Reed, Champion of Justice, Frank... Continue reading

Governor Whitmer's office is seeking applicants for the seat on the 36th District Court in Wayne County being vacated by Hon. Izetta Bright. To be considered for this position, you must be a State Bar of Michigan member who meets the legal qualifications for this office. Please be aware that to be appointed you must reside within the judicial district. To apply for the position, please email one complete packet, including your judicial appointment questionnaire, resume, writing samples, and any other attachments to appointments@michigan.gov by 5 p.m. on Feb. 6. The judicial appointment questionnaire and additional information about the process... Continue reading

Nominations are being accepted for two State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly awards. The Michael Franck Award is given annually to an attorney who has made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of the legal profession. The Unsung Hero Award is presented to a lawyer who has exhibited the highest standards of practice and commitment for the benefit of others. Nominees for both awards must be State Bar members in good standing and their contributions may have been made either during the past year or by virtue of cumulative effort or service. Materials submitted should include sufficient details about the... Continue reading

Do you know lawyers or judges who are champions of justice? Then consider nominating them for State Bar of Michigan Champion of Justice Awards. The Champion of Justice Award is given to practicing lawyers and judges each year by the State Bar of Michigan for integrity and adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession, superior professional competence and an extraordinary professional accomplishment that benefits the nation, the state, or the local community in which the lawyer or judge lives. In 2018, the State Bar of Michigan named two champions of justice: Miriam Aukerman and Robert Heimbuch.... Continue reading

The State Bar of Michigan Government Law Section will host a winter seminar, “From Marihuana to Microbreweries,” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Henry Hotel, located at 300 Town Center Drive in Dearborn. Morning sessions begin at 9 a.m. and will cover the following topics: “White Paper Regarding the Marihuana Ballot Proposition,” “Public Employees & Recreational Marihuana,” “Recreational Marihuana & Public Places” and “Prosecuting Cannabis Driving Cases.” Lunch will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Afternoon sessions, beginning at 1 p.m., will cover the following topics, “Liquor Laws Update,” “Municipal ROW Preemption, The FCC ROW... Continue reading

The latest episode of the State Bar of Michigan’s On Balance podcast features Terry Harrell, executive director of the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program. In this episode of On Balance, hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Tish Vincent talk to Terry Harrell about her work with the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being and what many see as a need for complete cultural shift. They also discuss the task force’s “Well-Being Report,” a resource for encouraging wellness that lawyers and legal employers can use in their firms. On Balance, on the Legal Talk Network, delivers useful and entertaining ideas on managing... Continue reading

The State Bar of Michigan is proud to launch a new initiative to recognize Michigan attorneys for pro bono service. The A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll will recognize Michigan attorneys who provide 30 or more hours of pro bono legal services in a calendar year. Individual attorneys, law firms, and corporations will be recognized at one of three recognition levels for providing 30, 50, or 100 or more hours of pro bono service in the previous calendar year. The State Bar of Michigan will publicize attorneys on the A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll through postings on... Continue reading

The Access to Justice Campaign is proud to launch a new initiative to recognize Michigan attorneys who invest in access to justice through financial donations to the ATJ Fund. Beginning in 2019, the Access to Justice Campaign will publish three new annual statewide lists to recognize donors to the ATJ Fund, which supports civil legal aid services to low-income individuals and plays an essential role in increasing access to justice. The Access to Justice Campaign will recognize law firms and corporate legal departments on a tiered basis, starting at $1,000. Individuals and solo practitioners will also be recognized on a... Continue reading

Are you as proud of your bar association's work as Kristen Pursley and Donna MacKenzie are about what they have accomplished with the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan? Then consider nominating your association or a volunteer of your association for a State Bar of Michigan Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award. The Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award was established in memory of the 2006-2007 SBM president, who died in January of 2008. This award is presented to a recognized local or affinity bar association, program or leader for excellence in promoting the ideal of professionalism or equal justice for... Continue reading

Nominations are now open for major State Bar of Michigan awards that will be presented at a 2019 awards celebration. The Roberts P. Hudson Award goes to a person whose career has exemplified the highest ideals of the profession. This award is presented periodically to commend one or more lawyers for their unselfish rendering of outstanding and unique service to and on behalf of the State Bar, given generously, ungrudgingly, and in a spirit of self-sacrifice. It is awarded to that member of the State Bar of Michigan who best exemplifies that which brings honor, esteem and respect to the... Continue reading

Governor Rick Snyder is seeking applicants who are interested in being appointed to the 53rd District Court bench in Livingston County. The seat is that of vacating judge, Hon. L. Suzanne Geddis. Your application must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28. If you are a State Bar member who meets the legal qualifications for this office and are interested in applying, please refer to Governor Snyder's website for further information and the judicial application. Please be aware that in order to be appointed you must reside within the judicial district. Along with the application, please submit a... Continue reading

If you haven't already, check out this episode of the State Bar of Michigan’s On Balance podcast, which features Jack Newton, founder and CEO of Clio, one of the pioneers of cloud-based practice management. In this episode of On Balance, guest hosts Laurence Colletti, Robert Mathis, and Samantha Meinke talk to Jack Newton about the 2018 Legal Trends Report and what it reflects about the legal industry. They discuss the data that’s included in the report and how attorneys can use this information to improve the business side of their practice. On Balance, on the Legal Talk Network, delivers useful... Continue reading

The State Bar of Michigan will dedicate our 41st Michigan Legal Milestone, commemorating the fact that Michigan's government was the first in the English-speaking world to outlaw capital punishment for murder and lesser crimes from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6 at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit. The event will start with a reception with hors d'oeuvres from 4-5 p.m., followed by a program featuring a panel of speakers. Speakers include: Jennifer M. Grieco, President of the State Bar of Michigan Janet K. Welch Executive Director of the State Bar of Michigan Brian C. Summerfield Partner at... Continue reading

To complete your annual disclosures and pay your 2018-2019 dues online with a debit, credit card or e-check, go to e.michbar.org and log in using your member login and password. More information. Continue reading

In an effort to help the implementation of new limited scope practice rules, State Bar volunteers and staff have launched an online peer discussion and support group to encourage conversation among limited scope practitioners, judges, those who want to learn more about limited scope practice, or those who are thinking about trying it out. The discussion group is designed to encourage users to conduct open and respectful conversations, share experiences, ask questions, identify best and creative practices, collaborate with a community of like-minded professionals, and otherwise help in the successful implementation of the new rules in Michigan. Sign up for... Continue reading

The SBM member area website has recently been updated to conform to new and improved security standards. The upgrade requires all passwords to meet minimum requirements that will help to protect your information. Your password must now contain at least seven characters with at least one number and at least one letter. If your password does not meet these requirements, go to the forgot username/password page to reset your password. If you need further assistance, please contact our member services team at (888) 726-3678 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. EST, or email sbmaddressfix@michbar.org. It is especially important that if... Continue reading

The State Bar of Michigan is offering an app to help you create the perfect, personalized SBM NEXT Conference experience for you. The new app will allow you to create a custom schedule and set reminders for events and educational sessions, and also receive alerts about last-minute event changes. New features also allow you to take photos and notes during events and save them right inside the event in the app, automatically organizing them for you and making them easy to find in the future. A new, interactive map feature in the app will allow you to navigate from your... Continue reading

Nicole Black, Legal Technology Evangelist for MyCase, will provide a plenary session for the educational tracks at State Bar of Michigan NEXT Conference at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28. Black is an author, journalist and legal technology evangelist at MyCase. She is the nationally recognized author of “Cloud Computing for Lawyers,” and co-authored “Social Media for Lawyers: the Next Frontier,” both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authored “Criminal Law in New York,” a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for The Daily Record, Above the Law and Legal IT Pros; has authored hundreds of articles for... Continue reading

Get the top tips for presenting your summary disposition motion, learn to effectively write your appellate brief and make your argument and see the view from the criminal bench directly from some of Michigan’s top jurists. Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Farah, Kent County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Yates, Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge Jon Hulsing and Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Hicks will give you best practice advice for presenting summary disposition motions. John Bursch and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement will provide smart drafting techniques and strategies for presenting your best arguments in appellate briefs.... Continue reading