Newsroom Seminars
The State Bar of Michigan's Law & the Media Committee provides "Newsroom Seminars," regarding coverage of legal proceedings in the State of Michigan to interested news organizations. The seminars, which last just an hour and are free of charge, aim to address some of the common practical and substantive difficulties that journalists encounter in covering the legal system in Michigan. The format for each seminar is a discussion, rather than lecture, in which hypothetical fact patterns are used. Participation by the news organization's staff in the discussion is encouraged and helpful. Members of the Law & the Media Committee who are attorneys as well as current or former journalists generally run and moderate the seminars. Other seminar participants also often include local judges or attorneys with whom the news staff members are familiar, as well as other officials of the State Bar. Newsroom seminars have met with enthusiasm in newsrooms around the state. For further information or to schedule a seminar for your newsroom, please contact committee Chair Thomas Howlett at (248) 540-3333 or thowlett@googasian.com.
Dealing with the Media
The State Bar of Michigan's Law and the Media Committee arranges programs on "Dealing with the Media" for attorneys. The programs, which are ideally suited for local bar association events, provide practical advice regarding how to handle inquiries from media representatives, as well as review of the ethical contours of extrajudicial statements by attorneys. The seminars, which last about one hour and are free of charge, are moderated by attorneys from the Law and the Media Committee, many of whom also are current or former journalists. Each seminar generally also features one or more members of the local media involved in coverage of the legal system. The seminars are given in a discussion format, rather than lecture, with use of hypothetical fact patterns to encourage participation from the attorneys in attendance. The seminars tend to be lively and popular. For further information or to schedule a seminar for your organization, please contact committee Chair Thomas Howlett at (248) 540-3333 or thowlett@googasian.com.
Wade McCree Awards for the Advancement of Justice
Judge Wade H. McCree, Jr., was dedicated to advancing greater understanding of the role of a free press in a free
society. During a remarkable career
that included service as a federal
judge, professor of law, and solicitor
general of the United States, he
touched the lives of millions of
Americans. Judge McCree was an
early and dedicated supporter of the
establishment of the Advancement
of Justice Awards. The awards were
renamed in 1987 to honor not only
him, but also those who receive the
Wade H. McCree Jr. Awards for the
Advancement of Justice.
The objective of the awards competition is to give statewide recognition to written materials, radio/television
broadcasts, and multimedia pieces that:
• Foster greater public understanding of the inherent values
of our legal and judicial system;
• Inform and educate citizens as to the role of the law,
the courts, law enforcement agencies, and the legal
profession in today's society;
• Disclose practices and procedures in need of correction
or improvement; and
• Encourage and promote legal and state legislative efforts
to update and modernize our laws, courts, and law
enforcement agencies.
The panel of judges will evaluate entries based on originality, effectiveness, thoroughness, and newsworthiness.
Relevance to the award criteria outlined is paramount.
Topics must be clearly dominated by justice themes.
Michigan newspapers, online publications, wire services,
news syndicates, magazines, radio stations, television
stations, legal publications, networks and their employees
are eligible to enter the awards competition.
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