SBM: Awards Banquet
Let us celebrate and honor these lawyers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and who have been outstanding in the areas of leadership, professional integrity, and community service.

Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award
Hon. Donald Shelton
Kym L. Worthy

Champion of Justice Award
Sue Ellen Eisenberg
Hon. Amy Krause
Hon. Denise Langford Morris
Jeffrey G. Nutt

John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award
Maia Justine Storm

Liberty Bell Award
Shirley Cochran, Genesee County Bar
Jessie Dawkins, Saginaw County Bar
Mary Ann Farris, Michigan Lawyers Auxiliary

Michigan Defense Trial Counsel–Respected Advocate Award
Wayne J. Miller

Michigan Trial Lawyers Association–Respected Advocate Award
To be announced

Sponsored by the Oswald Companies

SBM: Section Meetings
Administrative Law Section Business Meeting
Young Lawyers Section Business Meeting

Family Law Section Business Meeting and Program
A View from the Bench by Hon. Linda Hallmark
Oakland County Family Law Judge Linda Hallmark will discuss family law issues of note and her perspective on challenges likely to face family law practitioners in the future.

Senior Lawyers Section Program
Can You Retire for the Rest of Your Life?
Speaker: Fred Hensler

SBM: Criminal Issues Initiative Program
The State Bar of Michigan and the Michigan State Bar Foundation present:

The Hidden Obstacles of Civil Collateral Consequences: Life After Conviction

Featuring Darryl Hunt, exonerated after 18 years in prison and the subject of an HBO documentary, speaking about his experience as an innocent man convicted of a brutal rape and murder. The program will look at Michigan’s public defense system, civil collateral consequences: employment and immigration, and the 11 principles of a public defense delivery system.

Speakers: Miriam J. Aukerman, Frank Eaman, Saul A. Green, Darryl Hunt, David C. Koelsch, and James R. Neuhard
Moderator: Hon. Cynthia D. Stephens

This program was made possible with grant funding from the Michigan State Bar Foundation. The Foundation’s funding does not constitute an endorsement of content.

SBM: Representative Assembly Business Meeting

SBM: Section Meeting
Animal Law Section Business Meeting

SBM: Inaugural Luncheon
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell will welcome State Bar of Michigan members to this year’s inaugural luncheon, followed by the swearing-in of State Bar President Ronald D. Keefe and other State Bar officers by Chief Justice Clifford W. Taylor. During the luncheon, Chief Justice Taylor will present the Michigan State Bar Foundation’s Founders Award to Hon. Julian A. Cook, Jr., and the Representative Assembly will present the Michael Franck Award to William P. Hampton and Allyn D. Kantor and the Unsung Hero Award to Norris J. Thomas, Jr. The Representative Assembly will also present a resolution in tribute to the late Gerald R. Ford, 38th president of the United States and member of the State Bar of Michigan. Share in the celebration by recognizing the award winners and honoring our new State Bar president.

Sponsored by the Paul Goebel Group and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

SBM: Section Meetings
American Indian Law Section Business Meeting and Program

Consumer Law Section Business Meeting and Program
Litigating and Negotiating Predatory Mortgage Lending and Foreclosure Cases
Learn the ins and outs of analyzing and litigating a predatory mortgage lending case.
Panelists: Mike Nelson, Traci Coffman, and Karen Tjapkes

SBM: Representative Assembly Business Meeting

SBM: Equal Access Initiative Program
Successful Practice and Happy Family—Whose Balance Is It, Anyway?
Presented by the State Bar of Michigan Equal Access Initiative and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. A thought-provoking presentation in a unique format that includes Family Medical Leave Act updates, negotiating your work life, and time and resource management – creative options.

SBM: Section Meetings
Appellate Practice Section Program and Business Meeting
Political Challenges & Judicial Independence
A panel discussion about challenges to the independence of the appellate courts from the politics of electing and/or appointing judges; the political significance of different judicial philosophies; and various state initiatives to create a popular veto on judicial decisions.
Speakers:  Judge Henry Saad, Professor Stephen Croley
Moderator: Paul Bernard
View Speaker Biographies PDF

Environmental Law Section Business Meeting and Program
Recent Legislative Developments - Senator Patricia Birkholz
The Shifting Sands of CERCLA Jurisprudence – Michael Caldwell
LEEDS Certification and Green Building – Saulius Mikalonis
Moderator: Kurt Brauer

Law Practice Management Section Business Meeting and Program
IT, Friend or Foe? Tips and Tricks to Make it Your Friend
Accessing the internet for low-cost or no-cost resources to manage your office. Fifty websites to help. Newer smart phones and how to get the most out of them.
Moderator: Gary Bauer
Speaker: Nick D'lsa

SBM: Section Meeting
Labor & Employment Law Section Business Meeting, Program, and Reception

• Comparison of State and Federal Substantive Law re: Title VII/ELCRA
  Speaker: Katharine Smith Kennedy, Pensky, Smith, Fayette & Kennedy LLP
• Perspectives and Trends, Liability of Agents, etc.
  Speaker: Mary Anne Helveston, Helveston & Helveston P.C.
• e-Discovery Under the New Federal Rules for the Labor and Employment Lawyer, Instructions and Practical Advice
  Speaker: James Boutrous, Butzel Long PC
• A View from Behind the Court of Appeals Bench
  Speaker: Hon. Kurtis T. Wilder, Michigan Court of Appeals
  

SBM: Michigan Lawyers Auxiliary Business Meeting

SBM: Michigan Association of Bar Executives Business Meeting

SBM: Section Meetings
Litigation Section Business Meeting
Judicial Conference Business Meeting

Children’s Law Section Business Meeting and Program
From Care to Where – The Challenge of Transition
Though most youth coming from intact families can expect emotional and financial support for years to come, youth aging out of foster care are unable to turn to parents or family members for financial or emotional support. They also cannot count on the state for continuing support once discharged from care. We need to address the struggle toward self-sufficiency to cause more positive outcomes.
Speaker: Robin Nixon, Executive Director, National Foster Care Coalition, Washington, D.C.
Panel Discussion: Foster Youth Panel of Michigan

Criminal Law Section and Prisons & Corrections Section Joint Program
Sentencing and Parole Practices Collide with our State Budget
The Criminal Law and Prisons & Corrections Sections are conducting a joint program to discuss possible changes to our sentencing and parole guidelines and other changes to reduce our prison population. These changes may significantly impact our professions. A panel discussion will include legislators from both sides of the aisle, the governor’s office, and members of the State Bar. Please join us for a provocative and lively discussion about the future of Michigan’s prisons.

SBM: Michigan District Judges Association Business Meeting

SBM: Michigan Probate Judges Association Business Meeting

SBM: Michigan Retired Judges Association Business Meeting

SBM: Section Meetings
Aviation Law Section Business Meeting and Program
The State of Aviation Law in Michigan – 2007 and Screening of Aviation Short Films Shot in Michigan
Section members will conduct a panel discussion of the latest developments in aviation law in Michigan and nationally. Short aviation films made in Michigan, including Oakland County International Airport, Grayling, and Battle Creek, will be shown and discussed.

Law Student Section Business Meeting and Program
Inter-Sections: Section-to-Student Outreach & Development
Michigan law students face some tough choices: Stay or leave? Transactional or litigational? Public or private? Partnering with the LSS is the key to educating, retaining, and steering fresh talent toward rewarding legal careers within Michigan. Come learn how!