United States Courts Committee
2026-2027 Jurisdiction
Provide advice and recommendations concerning the State Bar of Michigan's interaction with federal courts in Michigan and on practice of law in those courts by:
- Reviewing and making recommendations on proposed federal court rule amendments.
- Proposing court rule, legislative, or policy changes to improve practice in federal courts in Michigan.
- Developing and collaborating on projects and events focused on federal practice and the relationship between state and federal courts.
Note: This committee may have more than 15 members and may include non-State Bar members.
Committee Members
Hon. Clay M. West, P80766, chair
Joseph Watson Barber, P82728
Robert Cameron Clark, P76359
Margot Juliette Cleveland, P83564
Andrew J. Clopton, P80315
Kinikia Essix, Clerk
Ann Filkins, Clerk
Lindsay P. Hazen, P85861
Elyse Kathleen Lisznyai, P84825
Flora Lucgjonaj, P87512
Paul F. Novak, P39524
Daniel John Ping, P81482
Thomas M Schehr, P54391
Tarik David Turfe, P83690
Christopher Kish VanDeusen, P88669
Daniel William Weininger, P75865
Teri Whitehead, P61908
Jessica Marie Yakel Sharpe, P77593
Members Appointed by U.S. Eastern District Courts
Brandy Renee McMillion, P69838
Robert Jerome White, P86203
Member Appointed by U.S. Western District Courts
Sally Jacoba Berens, P82670
Advisor
Adam B. Strauss, P53319
Federal Bar Association Advisor, Eastern District
Jeffrey Alan Crapko, P78487
Federal Bar Association Advisor, Western District
Daniel Stephen Brookins, P86665
State Bar of Michigan Liaison
Nathan Andrew Triplett, P76683
State Bar of Michigan Liaison Assistant
Kennedy Blakemore, Lansing
6th Circuit En Banc Opinions
Members of the U.S. Courts Committee publish annual summaries of notable en banc opinions made by the 6th Circuit Court in the Michigan Bar Journal.
Summary of 2023
By Daniel Ping
Published April 2024
Summary of 2021
By Justin B. Weiner
Published February 2022
Summary of 2019
By Michael R. Williams
Published July 2020
Summary of 2018
By Michael R. Williams
Published May 2019
Summary of 2017
By John A. Ferroli
Published June 2018
Federal Practice Survival Guide Available for Download
The Federal Bar Association’s Eastern District of Michigan Chapter is sharing its new “Handbook on Local Practice in the Eastern District of Michigan.” The handbook was created to give attorneys who are new to practicing in the Eastern District an introduction to common procedural issues they may encounter.
Read, download, or print the handbook here.
