President's Message

Welcome to the 6th Month Review of the 2008-09 bar year!!!

This is the 18th year of our illustrious organization, and while we have made great strides toward our mission, there is still so much more we can do! As President I hope to continue to provide the same leadership and work ethic as those who have served before me. I also hope that at the end of this bar year we will all take pride in the exciting programs and initiatives that our members, and the community, have come to expect from Straker!

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2009 Bar Passage Program a Success!

The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association in conjunction with the Wolverine Bar Association and the Association of Black Judges of Michigan conducted another outstanding and successful Bar Passage Program at the prestigious Wayne State University Law School for six (6) weeks prior to the February 2009 State of Michigan Bar Examination. This is the eighth (8th) year that Straker has volunteered to assist law graduates in honing their writing and local essay skills in preparing for the rigorous Bar Examination. Despite sleet, snow and rain, Straker's volunteers Stanley L. de Jongh, Chairperson, Adrienne Johnson (Tutor), Victor Mansour (Tutor), Caryl Williams (Tutor), Leland Garrett (Tutor), Robert Paige (Tutor), Toya Jefferson (Tutor), Aina Watkins (Tutor), Todd Innis (Grader), David Tillman (Grader), Hon. Sheila Miller (Grader), and Eric Cockrell (Grader) met every week to thoroughly review Bar Exam questions, model answers and the essays by the law school graduates. In fact, the law graduates even took a mock Bar Examination on a Saturday, a few weeks before the actual Bar Examination.

The Course encompassed dynamic lectures by Dean Michelle Miller, Atty. Kelvin Scott and Atty. Joshua Lerner in areas such as essay writing techniques, stress management, and tips to passing the Bar Examination.

Through weekly examinations, a mock Bar Examination, and group one-on-one sessions and lectures by the volunteers, the law graduates were provided assistance in the areas of: (i) Essay Writing Skills/Strategy; (ii) Test Taking Skills/Strategy; (iii) Time Management; and (iv) Stress Management.

D. Augustus Straker Bar Association looks forward to working with its partners, the Wolverine Bar Association, and the Association of Black Judges of Michigan, to continue to provide critically important programs to the community to enhance the image and quality of legal practice in the State of Michigan.

Again, thank you to all the participants. This program will be offered again in January 2010.

Stanley L. de Jongh, Esq.

Articles and Announcements

Is Crack Whack?
by Jermaine A. Wyrick, Esq. 

“Crack is Whack!” were the infamous words of singing sensation Whitney Houston when she denied use thereof in a controversial interview.  Apparently, the United States Supreme Court may think so in a recent landmark decision that drastically altered sentencing for crack related offenses.  Read More

The Attorney Discipline Process – The Judicial Side
by Stanley H. Pitts, Esq.

The Michigan Supreme Court is constitutionally responsible for the supervision and discipline of Michigan attorneys.  In Michigan, the Supreme Court has delegated the prosecutorial function to the Attorney Grievance Commission and the adjudicative function to the Attorney Discipline Board (“Board”).  Read More

2008 Holiday Party

Photo by John Meiu, Courtesy of Detroit Legal News Publishing

2008 S.K.I.P. Skating Party

Photo by John Meiu, Courtesy of Detroit Legal News Publishing

2009 Corporate Counsel Breakfast

More Information

Contact Us

For more information on the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, please feel free to contact:
Ahmad M. Roby, Esq.
phone: (248) 858-8640
e-mail: robya@oakgov.com
or write:
The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association
19785 W. 12 Mile Road, #176
Southfield, MI 48076

• President's Message PDF
• Officers
• Membership Application PDF
• Programs & Mission
• Who is D. Augustus Straker?
• Straker Bar Association History and Achievements PDF
• D. Augustus Straker Bar Foundation 2007 Law Student Scholarship Application PDF
• Job Listings

Events
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