Great Lakes Legal Conference 2024 - Banner

Great Lakes Legal Conference 2024: Full Schedule

Resort casual or business clothing is appropriate for the conference. The Grand Hotel considers every evening a special occasion and requires all guests and visitors to wear dress clothing after 6:30 p.m. in all areas of the hotel, except the Cupola Bar. Learn more about the Grand Hotel Policies here.

DAY 1

Friday, June 14, 2024

Plenary Moderator: Peter Cunningham, State Bar of Michigan Executive Director, Lansing

10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.	Registration Open Art Gallery
12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m.	Refreshments Theatre Room
1:00 p.m.–1:15 p.m.	Welcome and Introductions Daniel D. Quick President, State Bar of Michigan Dickinson Wright PLLC, Troy Hon. Elizabeth T. Clement Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court, Lansing Theatre Room
1:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m.	Balancing Act: Ethics, Efficiency, and AI in Legal Practice How do we strike the right balance between ethical concerns and technological advancements in the law field? Join a lively debate where leading experts will analyze the growing influence of AI on legal processes and ethical considerations. John W. Allen Varnum LLP, Kalamazoo Dennis M. Kennedy Dennis Kennedy Advisory Services LLC, Ann Arbor Theatre Room
	Leadership Track Moderator: Darin A. Day State Bar of Michigan Director of Outreach, Lansing Legal Updates Track Moderator: Kim A. Coggins Coggins Law, Marinette, WI Litigation Track Moderator: Tanya Cripps-Serra Olympia Development of Michigan, Detroit
2:25 p.m.–3:10 p.m.	Leadership Track The Big Picture and What’s Happening in Lansing Current developments and initiatives Future trends in the legal profession Legislation Court rules update Peter Cunningham State Bar of Michigan Executive Director, Lansing Nathan Triplett State Bar of Michigan Public Policy Director, Lansing Theatre Room Legal Updates Track Real Property Law: New Developments and Practice Tips Legislative developments Caselaw update Hot issues John G. Cameron, Jr. Dickinson Wright PLLC, Grand Rapids Brighton Room Litigation Track Preparing for Productive Mediations How to prepare the client for the process Selecting a mediator Mediation statements Documenting settlements Aaron V. Burrell Dickinson Wright PLLC, Troy Terrace Room
3:20 p.m.–4:05 p.m.	Leadership Track Set Goals and Identify What You Want to Achieve Before Your Term Ends: The Ultimate Workshop Get clarity on what you want to achieve Recognizing the goals are for your organization, not your personal goals Measure your progress and identify procrastination Jennifer Quick Oakland County Bar Association Executive Director, Bloomfield Hills Jennifer M. Grieco Altior Law PC, Birmingham Theatre Room Legal Updates Track Criminal Law Update - You Can’t Win if You Don’t Know the Law U.S. Supreme Court update Michigan appellate courts update Legislative and court rule update Mary Chartier Chartier & Nyamfukudza PLC, Okemos Marisa Ariel Vinsky Chartier & Nyamfukudza PLC, Okemos Brighton Room Litigation Track Andary and Other Critical No-Fault Law Updates Overview of Andary decision Andary’s loose ends Overview of PIP and BI options Recent PIP and BI choice jurisprudence Thomas G. Sinas Sinas Dramis Law Firm, Grand Rapids Terrace Room
4:10 p.m.–5:00 p.m.	Leadership Track Interactive Session: Meet Your Peers Resources SBM can offer to engage your members in civic education, pipeline and civility and programs Partnering with the State Bar, SBM sections, and bar associations to help boost your membership Building a supportive and inclusive culture Darin A. Day (facilitator) State Bar of Michigan Director of Outreach, Lansing Theatre Room Legal Updates Track Estate Planning and Elder Law Update Key planning and drafting changes with the new Uniform Power of Attorney Act Additional new legislative developments in Michigan including the Omnibus Act Top caselaw of 2023-2024 that impacts estate planning, probate and trust administration Nathan R. Piwowarski McCurdy Wotila & Porteous PC, Cadillac Brighton Room Litigation Track Practical Advice from the Bench Tips for effective and ethical advocacy Specialty courts Zoom hearings Pet peeves to avoid Hon. B. Chris Christenson 7th Circuit Court, Flint Hon. Kameshia D. Gant 6th Circuit Court, Pontiac Hon. Kristen D. Simmons 54A District Court, Lansing Terrace Room
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.	Grand Reception Grand Hotel Porch

DAY 2

Saturday, June 15, 2024

8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.	Hotel Checkout
8:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m.	Refreshments In Each Session Room
	Leadership Track Moderator: Darin A. Day State Bar of Michigan Director of Outreach, Lansing Legal Updates Track Moderator: Kim A. Coggins Coggins Law, Marinette, WI Practice Management & Technology Track Moderator: Molly Ranns State Bar of Michigan Director of the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program, Lansing
9:00 a.m.–9:45 a.m.	Leadership Track Strategic Planning in Your Organization Resources to help you jumpstart your strategy How to “look out the window” at what the future holds Creating a strategic plan that won’t sit on the shelf Molly Flood Associate Director, ABA Center for Bar Leadership, Chicago, IL Theatre Room Legal Updates Track Critical Updates in Cannabis Law Distressed cannabis businesses Trending municipality licensing issues Licensing process and new regulatory rules Case law update Barton W. Morris, Jr. Law Offices of Barton Morris, Troy Brighton Room Practice Management & Technology Track Mastering MiFILE: Overview, Tips & Tricks & Upcoming Features Discovering Michigan judiciary's electronic filing system - MiFILE Demystifying MiFILE’s functionality and limitations Proven strategies for efficient document filing Practical steps to prevent document rejection and delays Thomas D. Fuentes Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Information Services, Lansing Sarah Santini Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Information Services, Lansing Terrace Room
9:50 a.m.–10:35 a.m.	Leadership Track Your Toolbox for Running Effective Meetings Setting action items and a strategic, purposeful agenda for each meeting Engaging attendees, inspiring them to participate both in the discussion and in follow-up activities Managing challenging, overbearing, or reluctant attendees Making Roberts Rules of Order, and alternatives, work for you Aaron V. Burrell Dickinson Wright PLLC, Troy Jennifer Quick Oakland County Bar Association Executive Director, Bloomfield Hills Nathan Triplett State Bar of Michigan Public Policy Director, Lansing Theatre Room Legal Updates Track Under Construction: What are the Big Issues? How do you hire an architect? What is force majeure? How do you deal with delays? When do you need a construction manager? What keeps contractors up at night? Leaning on liens John G. Cameron, Jr. Dickinson Wright PLLC, Grand Rapids Brighton Room Practice Management & Technology Track Taking Your Small Practice to the Next Level Developing strategic partnerships alliances Creating a more sophisticated practice and credible presence Gaining new financial opportunities J.J. Conway J.J. Conway Law, Royal Oak Terrace Room
10:45 a.m.–11:30 a.m.	Leadership Track Marketing Roundtable Forum Identify problems Brainstorm solutions Learn how to be an ambassador for your organization to attract new members Walk away with takeaways you can use today Marjory Raymer State Bar of Michigan Director of Communications, Lansing Theatre Room Legal Updates Track Family Law Update 2023–2024 caselaw, court rules and statutes update Marital, separate property, spousal support and attorney fee issues Practice tips and takeaways James J. Harrington III Law Offices of James J. Harrington III PLC, Novi Brighton Room Practice Management & Technology Track AI Prompting Workshop: From Basics to Brilliance Leverage AI in your practice and for your organization with structured AI prompting skills Navigate the complexities of generative AI and gain actionable skills and practical insights and strategies Unlock the potential of AI and secure a competitive advantage in today's dynamic legal environment Dennis Kennedy Advisory Services LLC, Ann Arbor Terrace Room
11:35 a.m.–12:20 p.m.	Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Tips for Thriving Both Personally and Professionally Prevalence of mental health and substance use concerns amongst legal professionals The lawyer well-being movement and where we are today Practical implementation strategies for effectively coping with stress in healthy ways Molly Ranns State Bar of Michigan Director of the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program, Lansing Theatre Room
12:20 p.m.–12:30 p.m.	Concluding Remarks and Door Prize Drawing (Must be present to win) Theatre Room