Section Events

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District

He Stood for Christ by Taking a Knee Wagner Faith & Freedom Center Leadership Series at Spring Arbor University Join us for two special events on April 24, 2024: 12:30 Coaches and Athletes McDonald Athletic Center 5:30 Student Body and Community McDonald Athletic Center From the time he began coaching high school football in 2008, Coach Joe Kennedy made a covenant with God to take a knee in prayer on the field after every game. In 2015, this decision cost him his job. The Coach challenged the decision and was thrust in the spotlight. His case is one of the most important religious liberty cases in recent history . After a seven-year legal battle, the Supreme Court decided the case in his favor on June 27, 2022. Kennedy’s story of faith, courage, and determination captured the attention of the nation. This coach stood for Christ by taking a knee. Come hear his story. Reserve your space now at arbor.edu/kennedy . You must register by March 17th in order to attend. Coach Kennedy’s Bio Coach Joe Kennedy, an eighteen-year Marine veteran, was an assistant coach for the Bremerton High School (BHS) varsity football team. Before he even coached his first game, the Marine-turned-football coach made a commitment to God that he would give thanks at the conclusion of each game for what the players had accomplished and for the opportunity to be part of their lives through football. This was met with disapproval from his school district and turned into a lengthy court battle. On June 27, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Coach Kennedy and his First Amendment right and on March 8, 2023, Coach Kennedy was officially reinstated as assistant coach and is excited to be back with his team. Joe and his wife, Denise, are parents to four and reside currently in Pensacola. A film inspired by his life is in development. He continues to speak across the country promoting freedom of speech. Connect with him online at https://coachjoekennedy. com/ . Religious Liberty Law Section is a co-sponsor of this event.

Invitation to Apply for the SBM Taxation Section Grant

The Taxation Section of the State Bar of Michigan is pleased to announce that it will make available funds of up to $12,000 for grants to qualifying organizations that provide taxpayer assistance to low-income individuals. Organizations seeking a grant should make a proposal to the Taxation Section no later than April 30, 2024 . All grant proposals should include the following information: The name, address, and phone number of the applying organization (including the name of a contact person). The federal employer identification number of the applying organization. A copy of the IRS letter qualifying the applying organization as tax-exempt. The amount of funds sought and a detailed description of the proposed project or program, including goals and intended use of the grant funds. A description of other potential sources of funds for the proposed project or program. Disclosure of any relationship between the applying organization and any current or former member of the Taxation Section Council. Please email sdupont@honigman.com to request an application form or ask questions about the grant.

Tax Court Luncheon

Join the SBM Taxation Section for the Tax Court Luncheon Tuesday, April 30 Noon - 2 p.m. Location The Westin Book Cadillac 1114 Washington Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226 Special Guest Judge Joseph W. Nega, Judge of the United States Tax Court Registration Register at the button below no later than Tuesday, April 23.

Section Council Meeting

All section members are welcome at our meetings, which take place the first Wednesday of each month and begin at 3:30pm. Email lgbtqsecretary@gmail.com if you'd like to be added to the reoccurring calendar invite.

ADR Spring Series-Trauma Informed Conflict Resolution

2024 ADR Spring Series Continues on May 2, 2024 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Virtual May 2,Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Treena Reilkoff, CCM, BA, BSW, QMed, WFA, PHSA "Trauma Informed Conflict Resolution" Trauma is part of the world we live in and impacts our personal and professional roles as well as our clients within the ADR profession. Becoming Trauma Informed and possessing a skillset to mitigate or manage a trauma response is a universal precaution when working within Family Mediation and Arbitration. ​ As a professional, becoming trauma informed describes a way of interacting with people in a professional capacity that recognizes they may have been impacted by trauma, it may or will influence their level of participation and as professionals we practice “Doing No Harm”. ​ ​You will be provided with an overview of what a trauma informed framework is, what the five trauma responses are, how they present within the ADR continuum of practice and a few basic tools to manage a trauma response of a client or within yourself. All sessions have been approved by SCAO for advanced mediation training credits (4 hours each, 12 hours total). Registration fees: $50 per day for members, $75 per day for non-members. Law students, sitting judges and CDRC staff and volunteers are free. Contact parks.maryanne@gmail.com for more information. Click Here to Register

Judicial Honors Reception

Please join us for the Judicial Honors Reception, hosted by the State Bar of Michigan's Litigation Section on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Register here . Please contact Tara at taralitlaw@sharedresources.us with questions. Members of the Judiciary may attend this reception at no cost. Please contact taralitlaw@sharedresources.us if you have not received your password. Once you have your password, please click here to register .

LGBTQ+ Justice: Free Exercise of Religion & Establishment Clause Considerations

FLS Council Meeting

Council meetings are open to all section members. Council meetings are not all on the same day of the week and not all the same time to allow more members to have access to attend some meetings. Please note that this meeting is on a FRIDAY

ELDRS: Legislative Advocacy Day

Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Location: State Bar of Michigan Building, 306 Townsend St., Lansing, MI 48933 Register online Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Day What is Legislative Day? What does the day’s schedule look like? How do I meet with my legislators? What if I don’t know who my legislators are? These are busy politicians. Why will they care what I have to say? What do I even say to them? What are ELDRS legislative priorities? My clients have never had trouble with a care contract I drafted? What’s the issue? Am I meeting with my legislators alone? Where am I going? Where should I park? You said there would be food! I have a schedule conflict that day. Is there any other way to meet my legislators? Among the issues we will be discussing with our legislators is the new Caregiver Contract bill championed by ELDRS. Share your insight as an elder law attorney and your clients’ stories with your legislators to help move these issues forward. #NetworkingEvent

Updated Environmental Sampling Methodology - Part 2

Incremental Environmental Sampling Methodology Two-Part Training Series Part 2: ISM Applications and Case Studies Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Noon - 1:00 PM Virtual-No Cost to Attend · Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) is a robust planning and sampling methodology that is intended to provide representative, reproducible, and defendable chemical concentrations by design. It is primarily applicable for soil. It is based on collecting 30 to 100 soil increments throughout a decision unit – the decision unit is a volume of soil of which your project is using to make decisions, but it is often referred to an area of land where the increments are located. This presentation will provide the audience with a thorough background of the ISM process, including the following: Definition Cost Benefit Data Quality Objectives (DQO) Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) Field Implementation Laboratory Process Interpretation of Results Decision-Making o Liability protection (i.e. Facility status) o Due Care compliance o Additional investigation o Risk mitigation o Soil management o Remediation o Compliance Several case studies of where ISM has been utilized will be presented, as well as a discussion on situations that the audience has encountered. How ISM results can be utilized to meet project goals and objectives will also be addressed. Speakers: Chris Christensen, CPG is an Environmental Hydrogeologist with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), Remediation and Redevelopment Division (RRD), Technical Support Unit out of the Grand Rapids District since 1992. Chris works on both Leaking Underground Storage Tank sites as well as chlorinated solvent and surficial soil contamination sites. He is on RRD Technical Teams related to Incremental Sampling, Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids, Risk-based Corrective Action and Groundwater Modeling. He has advocated for Incremental Sampling use in Michigan since 2011 and contributed as a member of the ITRC ISM-2 team. Chris has a BS in Geology from Michigan State University and a MS in Hydrogeology from Western Michigan University. Alisa Lindsay, PE is a Senior Environmental Engineer and Team Leader at Fishbeck. She has management and engineering experience in state government, environmental consulting, nuclear energy, and the automotive industry. She provides sampling strategy and design support for complex sites and brownfield projects. Prior to joining Fishbeck, Alisa worked for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) – Remediation and Redevelopment Division, where she was a member of the Engineering and Contracts Assistance Team and the Incremental Sampling Technical and Program Support (IS TAPS) team. While on the IS TAPS team, she was involved with the technical review of the state’s Incremental Sampling Methodology and Application Resource Material and provided internal and external training on Data Quality Objectives and Incremental Sampling Methodology. She has expertise in managing and overseeing compliance efforts at leaking underground storage tank sites, brownfield sites, and other sites of contamination. Alisa is a licensed professional engineer and received her bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtduqspjwtGdNwOCUiyfnneae_BfVq49Co

AILS May Council Meeting

Join us for AILS May Council meeting, all members are welcome!

Mediation Advocacy: A Best Practices Review

Critical differences exist between traditional zealous advocacy and the skill set necessary to successfully accomplish client goals in the mediation process. Our panel shares time tested techniques and approaches proven to help you make the most of mediation. Topics include: Differences between mediation and litigation advocacy and why the differences are important; Drafting and exchanging written submissions tailored to the mediation process; Advance and strategic planning for counsel; Client education and preparation; Best practices at the mediation table; Strategies when the matter doesn’t settle. Register Now! Panel: Shel Stark, Mediator and Arbitrator Nakisha N. Chaney, of Counsel, Salvatore Prescott Porter & Porte r Michael S. Leib, Leibadr LLC, Moderator

Criminal Law Section Spring Conference

Join us from 9AM-3PM on Friday, May 31, for the Spring Conference. Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth will host this popular conference, which is back in person after five years. Newly-appointed Court of Appeals Judge Adrienne Young will welcome attendees and provide opening remarks. The program continues with sessions on impeachment of digital evidence, vicarious trauma, hearsay, creative legal writing, and juvenile reform laws. Criminal Law Section members pay only $25, which includes lunch. CLEs available. Registration coming soon!

FLS Council Meeting

Council meetings are open to all section members. Council meetings are not all on the same day of the week and not all the same time to allow more members to have access to attend some meetings. Please note that this meeting is on a SATURDAY.

Council Meeting

Please join us for our June Council meeting.

AILS June Council Meeting

Join us for AILS June Council meeting, all Members are welcome!

Environmental Law Section Summer Program and Council Meeting-Thursday, June 20, 2024

Environmental Law Section Summer Program and Council Meeting Thursday, June 20, 2024 Come see your fellow practitioners, colleagues, and friends, hear the latest environmental issues from presenters with different perspectives and backgrounds, and join us for a complimentary happy hour. We encourage each of you to attend our council meeting before the program. ELS Council Meeting: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Lunch will be served, meeting will also be available online: us02web.zoom.us/j/86554962280?pwd=QjJWWTdxK0JlKzR1Q2tnT00zYmlxdz09 ) Program: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Happy Hour: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Location: M ichigan Wildlife Conservancy, Bengel Wildlife Center, 6380 Drumheller Rd., Bath Twp., MI, 48808 No Cost to Attend

Workers' Compensation Summer Section Meeting 2024

The Workers' Compensation Section Annual Meeting is an annual seminar, business meeting, and awards reception. The first evening is an awards reception and networking event, and the second day is business meeting and educational seminar. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Don't forget to make your hotel reservations! Click here to reserve your room at the discounted rate. All reservations must be made prior to May 20, 2024.

Show Me the Money - a Mediator Forum - Where Mediators Learn From Each Other

Mediator Forum Format Small group discussion where Mediators share their favorite techniques, experiences, interventions, and approaches. Registrants will be provided the list of discussion topics below. After a brief introductory session, you will be randomly divided into small groups by Zoom. Each group will select a discussion leader to manage the discussion; and a “scrivener” to keep notes for posting your best ideas in the ADR Section resource library. After a time, new groups will be randomly selected to continue the discussion and exchange with a different group of colleagues. We expect two sessions, each of which will be assigned different topics from the list below. Mediator Forum Discussion Topics · Do you consider yourself an evaluative mediator, a facilitative mediator, or a combination of both? If both, under what circumstances and how do you do so? What explains your choice? · Is it important for the mediator to know the negotiation history and most recently communicated proposals of the parties before the mediation begins? If so, how do you go about learning that history? Do you ask when the lawyers are together or ex parte? Explain your practice. · Do you try to influence which party should make the first proposal once the mediation commences? Do you try to work this out in advance or during the mediation itself? Why? ·How do you approach a participant who resists your recommendation to go first? ·As your general practice, who communicates monetary proposals and counterproposals to the offeree? Do you ask the parties to do it in joint session or does the mediator do it in caucus? If in joint session, do you review the proposal with the party privately first? Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe parties should deliver their proposals themselves? ·If an offeror does not provide one when outlining a proposal, do you solicit a rationale or explanation for their number? What is your purpose in seeking a rationale? Should the explanation be communicated to the offeree along with the proposal? Why or why not? ·In regard to opening offers, should the mediator simply communicate a proposal or counterproposal, or, encourage the offeror to modify it in some way? Does it matter whether the mediator suspects the proposal will be counter productive? ·What is your practice in delivering and sequencing opening offers? Do you communicate an offer first or engage in risk assessment first? Explain your practice. ·How do you deal with party impatience and consternation when the pace of negotiations is proceeding slowly? Does it matter whether you agree or not? ·Once the negotiation process has proceeded for a round or two, how do you deal with proposals you suspect might be perceived as “insulting?” ·During the negotiation process, do you keep track of the mid-point between each proposal and counterproposal? For what purpose? ·Do you use visual aids to assist in communicating proposals or in tracking the negotiation process? Explain? ·Are you willing to make a mediator’s proposal? When and under what circumstances? What is your practice in making a mediator’s proposal? How do you do it? ·Other than making a mediator’s proposal, what are your favorite techniques for managing the negotiation of economic proposals and counterproposals? Mediator Forum Facilitators Zena Zumeta Mediation Training and Consultation Institute Shel Stark Arbitrator and Mediator Moderator and Facilitator

Summer Conference 2024

SAVE THE DATE! The Social Security Lawyers Section will hold a seminar on Friday, June 28, 2024, in East Lansing, Michigan. The full day event will be held at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development, Eli Broad College of Business, 3535 Forest Rd, Lansing, MI 48910. Improve your advocacy skills and hear from experts on relevant topics in the world of social security law. Registration is required. Please check back frequently for more information. #SummerConference #ConferenceorSeminar

AILS July Council Meeting

Join us for AILS July Council meeting, all Members are welcome!

FLS: Mid-Summer Conference

The Family Law Section Mid-Summer Conference is an annual tradition - exceptional CLE in a beautiful northern Michigan setting. Mingle with the best family law practitioners and judges from across the state, learn a lot, and have fun! Session and Speaker information coming soon! The advanced level seminar is taught by some of Michigan's finest family law attorneys. The seminar fee is $195 for section members or $225 for non-section members. Reserve your accommodations now, before rooms are gone. REGISTER NOW

AILS August Council Meeting

Join us for AILS August Council meeting, all Members are welcome!

Annual Meeting & Conference

SAVE THE DATE! The Social Security Lawyers Section's fall seminar and annual meeting will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024. This event will be an full day event. Location and venue will be announced in the future. Registration is required. Please check back frequently for more information. #AnnualMeeting #ConferenceorSeminar

Business Law Institute

ADR Annual Conference

2024 Virtual ADR Annual Conference and Annual Meeting September 20-21, 2024 On Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21, 2024, the ADR Section of the State Bar of Michigan will host its ADR Conference and Annual Meeting which will continue to be virtual. Our annual awards ceremony will be held in person at a soon to be determined date and location. The schedule will include a Friday morning Family Law mediation program. Our program offers advanced skills building, updates to alternative dispute resolution law, and addresses significant issues that touch on diversity and neutrality for providers. These presentations will challenge you and improve your skills. Up to 11 advanced mediation training credits will be offered. Please join the exceptional presenters at the ADR Conference, attend the Annual Meeting, and help us honor the ADR Section award winners.

Annual Meeting, Council Meeting, Presentation of Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Awa

We hope you can join us for these events which will take place during the lunch break at the Business Law Institute

Council Meeting

2024 ELDRS Fall Conference

SAVE THE DATE! October 9-11, 2024 Double Tree Hotel in Bay City, Michigan

Joint Conference

Fall Joint Conference Thursday, November 7, 2024 Please save the date for the 2024 Fall Joint Conference, co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and the East and West Michigan Sections of the Air & Waste Management Association. This year's event will be held at Lansing Community College-West Campus,5708 Cornerstone Dr, Lansing.