2007 - 2008
PRACTICE & SERVICE COMMITTEES AND CHAIRS
If you are interested in joining a committee, please read the following committee descriptions and then fill out a Practice & Service Committee Form.
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OCBA Practice & Service Committee Registration Form
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) encourages the use of ADR by the legal profession, judiciary, government and public through education, training and strategic alliance. The ADR Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at the OCBA office.
Christopher J. Webb (Chair)
(248) 245-0022
cwebb@webbadr.com
Nina Dodge Abrams (Vice Chair)
(248) 932-3540
mediatorabrams@yahoo.com
Business/In-House Counsel Law is concerned with providing educational services to its members through monthly speakers and a forum to discuss relevant topics. The Business/ In-House Counsel Committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at noon at the OCBA office.
Robert B. Labe (Chair)
(248) 642-0333
rbl@wwrplaw.com
(Vice Chair)
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) oversees CLE seminars offered by the OCBA. The CLE Committee meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:15 p.m. at the OCBA office.
Sherry McCarthy (Chair)
(248) 691-2200
sherry.mccarthy@clrlaw.com
Daniel D. Quick (Vice Chair)
(248) 433-7200
dquick@dickinson-wright.com
Criminal Law is charged with the advancement of the criminal law system in both district and circuit courts. The Criminal Law Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at noon in the Judicial Conference Room of the Sixth Circuit Court.
LaNita R. Haith (Chair)
(248) 360-1349
larhw@comcast.net
Gerald J. Gleeson II (Vice Chair)
(248) 858-0656
gleeson@millercanfield.com
Diversity in the Legal Profession creates networking, referral, employment and other opportunities for minority attorneys; works to assure equal opportunity and promote collegiality among diverse groups of attorneys. The Diversity committee meets on the second Thursday of each month at noon at the OCBA office.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Diversity Committee is to increase awareness in the Oakland County legal community of the need to provide equal opportunity for all lawyers and support personnel through education and programs sponsored by the Oakland County Bar Association and in collaboration with other legal organizations, and to promote participation in the activities and governance of the Oakland County Bar Association of lawyers with all varieties of diverse backgrounds.
Michael G. Nowakowski (Chair)
(313) 226-7769
mnowakowski@fmcs.gov
Antoinette R. Raheem (Vice Chair)
(248) 569-5695
arrlaw@sbcglobal.net
Employee Benefits Law is concerned with all facets of employee benefits including substantive presentations each month. The Employee Benefits Committee meets on the second Monday of each month at noon at the OCBA office.
Kenneth J. Sachs (Chair)
(313) 496-7805
sachs@millercanfield.com
Cynthia Moore (Vice Chair)
(248) 433-7295
cmoore@dickinson-wright.com
Employment & Labor Law is concerned with all facets of labor & employment law including a breakfast seminar series. The Labor and Employment Law Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 8:15 a.m. at the law offices of Vercruysse, Murray and Calzone located in Bingham Farms.
Adam S. Forman (Chair)
(313) 963-6420
forman@millercanfield.com
Lisa M. Panourgias (Vice Chair)
(248) 258-6080
lmp@ebpclaw.com
Family Court Law is concerned with the education of attorneys and the public with regard to operation and legislation in the field of family law. Studies existing statutes and proposed legislation in this area. Charged with improving the practice of domestic relations. The Family Court Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the OCBA office.
Irika N. Mellin (Chair)
(248) 614-9005
imellin@mellinrobinson.com
Amy Yu (Vice Chair)
(248) 932-3540
attorneys@abramsyu.com
In-House Insurance Defense Law is designed for in-house counsel who represent insured parties in liability suits against them. The committee meets on the third Thursday of every odd number month at 8:30 a.m. at the OCBA office. Please refer to Calendar of Events for meeting dates.
Tammy L. Kenward (Chair)
(248) 223-0120
tammy.kenward@libertymutual.com
(Vice Chair)
Juvenile Law is concerned with all facets of the juvenile and family justice system including legislation, court proceedings and treatment. Coordinates Juvenile GAL training seminar. The Juvenile Law Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 11:45 a.m. in the Adams-Pratt Oakland County Law Library.
Melinda N. Deel (Chair)
(248) 740-9060
melinda@deel.org
Lauran F. Howard (Vice Chair)
(248) 858-0038
howardl@oakgov.com
Law Related Education Committee is a committee that organizes a one-day conference for high school seniors which features a variety of legal issues as they pertain to the students, as well as educates them about the legal process and provides them with tools for better decision making. The Law Related Education Committee meets on an as-needed basis.
Joan P. Vestrand (Chair)
(248) 370-3632
vestranj@cooley.edu
Barry Malone (Vice Chair)
maloneb@cooley.edu
Lawyer Referral Service is concerned with all facets of the operation of the OCBA’s public service program that connects members of the community with a lawyer. Reviews policies and procedures, oversees outreach and marketing of the service in the community. The Lawyer Referral Service Committee meets on a quarterly basis.
Philip R. Fabrizio (Chair)
(248) 666-5924
phil@prfabriziolaw.com
Mark Kelley Schwartz (Vice Chair)
(248) 594-8790
mks@flightcounsel.com
Legal Assistants committee is responsible for improving legal assistants’ position in the legal profession through networking and public service. The Legal Assistants Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. with alternating locations.
Mission Statement:
To advance our profession by making known to the community the extent of our knowledge, skills and capabilities as well as encouraging the personal growth of our members through participation in continuing education and public service opportunities.
Millicent K. Sloan (Chair)
(248) 351-3000
msloan@jaffelaw.com
Linda S. Jevihirian (Vice Chair)
(248) 471-3443
linda@legalsearchonline.com
Membership is responsible for maximizing the membership, reviewing and/or recommending various types of services available to the OCBA that benefit current membership and encourage new memberships. The Membership Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. at the OCBA office.
David C. Anderson (Chair)
(248) 540-3333
david.anderson@ceflawyers.com
Cynthia E. Brazzil (Vice Chair)
(248) 528-1111
cynthia.brazzil@kkue.com
Municipal Law consists of municipalities or lawyers with specialized interest in municipal law and who represent clients who have dealings with municipalities. The Municipal Law Committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at noon at the OCBA office.
Gregory K. Need (Chair)
(248) 540-7400
gneed@adkisonneed.com
Jody S. Hall (Vice Chair)
(248) 858-0550
halljs@oakgov.com
New Lawyers Committee plans educational seminars for members who have less than ten years experience. Organizes social fundraising events for civic groups and charities and hosts "Meet the Judges." The New Lawyers Committee meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. In even months, the Committee meets in Royal Oak; in odd months the Committee meets at the OCBA office.
Keith A. Wuotinen (Chair)
(313) 988-9922
wuotinen@msu.edu
Shannon N. Scheloske (Chair-Elect)
(248) 528-1111
shannon.scheloske@kkue.com
Probate, Estate & Trust Law works with the Probate Court to advance programs and services in all aspects including mental health and elder law. Coordinates annual adult GAL seminar. The Probate Committee meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the OCBA office.
Joseph M. Migliore Jr. (Chair)
(248) 594-7501
(Vice Chair)
Professionalism strives to improve the reputation of lawyers, and presents educational programs on professionalism which will help attorneys provide better service to clients. The Professionalism Committee meets on an as-needed basis.
Richard W. Paige (Chair)
(248) 822-7804
paige@bskplaw.com
Joan P. Vestrand (Vice Chair)
(248) 370-3632
vestranj@cooley.edu
Public Service Projects is charged with implementing programs that provide an understanding of the legal system within the community and with effectuating the positive presence of lawyers in society through the sponsorship and coordination of hands-on events which benefit selected charitable and non-profit organizations. The Public Service Committee meets on the third Monday of each month at the OCBA office at 4:30 p.m.
Hillarie F. Boettger (Chair)
(248) 682-8400
hboettger@juno.com
Real Estate Law provides members and guest speakers an opportunity to discuss current decisions and laws affecting the practice of real estate law. The Real Estate Committee meets on fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at the OCBA office.
Dawn M. Patterson (Chair)
(248) 348-1005
dmpatterson@ugtic.com
Myles Hoffert (Vice Chair)
(248) 539-7411
myles@hoffertlaw.com
Solo/Small Firm is designed to assist solo practitioners in the development and management of their practice. It also provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and a catalyst to launch seminars and other programs. The Solo/Small Firm Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month at noon at the OCBA office.
Chad Engelhardt (Chair)
(248) 395-9756
chad@weflaw.com
Special Events
Golf Outing
Deborah L. Baughman (Chair)
(248) 351-3000
dbaughman@jaffelaw.com
Todd Roser (Vice Chair)
(734) 354-5572
todd.roeser@fngp.com
Race Judicata
Marc Jerabek (Chair)
(248) 362-2600
marc@fabriziobrook.com
Diana Moak (Vice Chair)
(248) 644-7222
DPMoak@aol.com
Holiday Gala
Jennifer M. Grieco (Chair)
(248) 359-7522
jmg@maddinhauser.com
Annual Meeting
Judith K. Cunningham (Chair)
(248) 858-0553
cunninghamj@oakgov.com
Oakland County Bar Foundation Gala
Diana Dietle (Co-Chair)
(248) 685-2029
ddietle1@yahoo.com
Cynthia E. Brazzil (Co-Chair)
(248) 528-1111
cynthia.brazzil@kkue.com
Alan T. Ackerman (Co-Chair)
(248) 537-1155
ackerman@bignet.net
Student Committee is organized to assist students who anticipate entering into the practice of the law and the legal profession. It also provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and a catalyst to launch seminars and other programs. The Student Committee meets on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the OCBA offices.
Mission Statement: The mission of this Committee is to provide students with opportunities for professional growth and development through association with the Oakland County legal community in programs and events focusing on the law, ethics, professionalism, and pro bono and community service. The committee seeks to promote and produce citizen lawyers who represent clients well, enhance the image and reputation of the legal profession, and give back to the greater community.
Lori Smith (Co-Chair)
smithlo@cooley.edu
Bob Beaupre (Co-Chair)
rbeaupre@dotmantraining.com
Rebecca Coyle (Co-Vice Chair)
coyler@cooley.edu
Keela Johnson (Co-Vice Chair)
johnsoke@cooley.edu
Tax Law is concerned with the substantive and procedural law of federal, state and local taxation. The Tax Law Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. off site.
Daniel W. Matthews (Chair)
(248) 370-3639
matthewd@cooley.edu
Michael Antovski (Vice Chair)
(248) 988-5885
mantovski@clarkhill.com
Technology & E-Commerce Committee is a subcommittee of the Continuing Legal Education Committee. This subcommittee discusses the facets of e-commerce as well as upcoming technological advancements in the legal profession and how they will impact the practice. The Technology & E-Commerce Committee meets on an as-needed basis.
Aaron Kendal (Chair)
(248) 901-4096
akendal@plunkettcooney.com
Limited Committees
Circuit Court is a liaison between OCBA and the Circuit Court and its judges in matters of mutual concern relating to the operation of court. The Circuit Court committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the OCBA office.
James J. Parks (Chair)
(248) 351-3000
jparks@jaffelaw.com
Daniel D. Quick (Vice Chair)
(248) 433-7200
dquick@dickinson-wright.com
Circuit Court Case Evaluation oversees selection of Circuit Court Case Evaluators. The Circuit Court Case Evaluation Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at the OCBA office.
Jody Aaron (Chair)
(248) 945-0100
jodyaaron@hotmail.com
Thomas R. Charboneau, Jr. (Vice Chair)
(248) 644-3600
tcharblaw@gmail.com
District Court examines various areas of concern and works to resolve problem areas that might arise involving the District Court operation and the OCBA. Oversees selection of District Court Case Evaluators and the operation of the case evaluation system. The District Court Committee meets on the third Monday of each month at noon at the OCBA office.
Hon. Cynthia Thomas Walker (Chair)
(248) 758-3882
cwalker@pontiac.mi.us
H. David Fee Jr. (Vice Chair)
(248) 948-8070
Legislative works with the Board of Directors and lobbyists to promote the OCBA’s position on current and pending legislation that affects the practice of law and the administration of justice. The Legislative Committee meets on the third Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. at the OCBA office.
Sheldon G. Larky (Co-Chair)
(248) 642-4660
sheldonlarky@aol.com
Richard B. Poling Jr. (Co-Chair)
(248) 641-0500
pmppc@aol.com
Medical-Legal is composed of physicians and attorneys who deal with inter-professional relationships and matters of concern to both professional groups. The Medical-Legal Committee meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at the OCBA office.
Irene Bruce Hathaway (Chair)
(313) 496-8442
hathaway@millercanfield.com
Robert S. Iwrey (Vice Chair)
(248) 544-0888
RIwrey@wachler.com
Nominating is charged with the nomination of candidates for the Board of Directors; oversees tabulation of ballots. The Nominating Committee meets on an as needed basis.
John F. Schaefer (Chair)
(248) 642-6655
jfs@lfjfs.com
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