2010 - 2011
PRACTICE & SERVICE COMMITTEES AND LEADERS

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 Committees 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.

Gregory Nowakowski (Chair)
(248) 691-1614
gnowakowski@healthlex.com

Ron Graham (Vice Chair)
(248) 645-5205
rgrahamlaw@aol.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.

John Chau (Co-Chair)
(248) 647-6000
jchau@patlaw.com

Chris Darrow (Co-Chair)
(248) 649-3333
darrow@ybpc.com

Matthew Koziarz (Co-Chair)
(248) 988-8360
mkoziarz@cgolaw.com

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.

Karen H. Safran (Chair)
(248) 644-4840
ksafran@carsonfischer.com

Kaveh Kashef (Vice Chair)
(248) 988-5869
kkashef@clarkhill.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.

Paul Stablein (Chair)
(248) 547-1032
pstablein@floodlawcenter.com

Dan Assenmacher (Vice Chair)
(248) 423-6000
ylsdra@comcast.net

Diversity in the Legal Profession creates networking, referral, employment and other opportunities for minority attorneys; works to ensure equal opportunity and promote collegiality among diverse groups of attorneys.  The Diversity committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:15 a.m. 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.

Alana M. Glass (Chair)
(248) 332-8524
alanamglass@aol.com 

Neil MacCallum (Vice Chair)
(248) 355-4141
neil.maccallum@ceflawyers.com

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.

Deborah Baughman (Chair)
(248) 351-3000
dbaughman@jaffelaw.com

Larry Schiller (Vice Chair)
(248) 489-8600
larry.schiller@couzens.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.

Gary Francis (Chair)
(248) 901-4045
gfrancis@plunkettcooney.com

Jay Boger (Vice Chair)
(248) 645-0000
jboger@kohp.com

Family 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. 

Steven Reinheimer (Chair)
(248) 745-8900
steven@stevenreinheimer.com

Sahera Housey (Vice Chair)
(248) 858-5422
houseys@oakgov.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 numbered month at 8:30 a.m. at the OCBA office.  Please refer to Calendar of Events for meeting dates.

William Ferro (Chair)
(248) 426-7808
wferro@amerisure.com

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 and Brown Bag seminar series.  The Juvenile Law Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 12:00 noon in the Adams-Pratt Oakland County Law Library.

Ryan Deel (Chair)
(248) 858-2872
deelr@oakgov.com

Jeff Coval (Vice Chair)
(248) 330-9257
jeffcoval@wowway.com

Law Related Education Committee is a committee that organizes a one-day conference for high school seniors that 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.

Syeda Davidson (Chair)
(313) 207-4229
sfhdavidson@gmail.com

Tim Cordes (Vice Chair)
(313) 886-5769
timcordes@nesilawyers.com

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.

Joan Reilly Schliem (Chair)
(248) 540-3363
jschliem@hfglaw.com

Fred Freeman (Vice Chair)
(248) 865-0505
fredfreemanatty@aol.com

Paralegal committee is responsible for improving paralegals' position in the legal profession through networking and public service.  The Paralegal 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. 

Tammy Olter (Chair)
(248) 643-6002
tolter@dmcginnis.com

Nancy Barich (Vice Chair)
(248) 549-3077
barich@wowway.com

Michael K. Lee (Chair)
(248) 350-5900
mlee@leeandcorrell.com

Kirsten Gramzow (Vice Chair)
(248) 593-5000
kgramzow@lipsonneilson.com 

Municipal Law consists of 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.

Barry Malone (Chair)
(248) 540-7400
bmalone@anafirm.com

Chris Forsyth (Vice Chair)
(248) 524-3320
c.forsyth@troymi.gov

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 6:30 p.m.  In even months, the Committee meets in Royal Oak; in odd months the Committee meets at the OCBA office.

Kaveh Kashef (Chair)
(248) 988-5869
kkashef@clarkhill.com

Jamie Low (Vice Chair)
(248) 746-2710
jlow@swappc.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 5:00p.m. at the OCBA office.

Rachel Tucker (Chair)
(248) 626-2226
rtucker@joelsonrosenberg.com

Patrick McCarthy (Vice Chair)
(248) 971-1700
lawyermccarthy@aol.com

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 

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 that 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.

Lindsay Citrin (Chair)
(248) 751-7800 x7724
citrinl@cooley.edu

Syeda Davidson (Vice Chair)
(313) 207-4229
sfhdavidson@gmail.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.

John Engman (Chair)
(248) 362-2600
jonengman@fabriziobrook.com

Marc Jerabek (Vice Chair)
(248) 362-2600
marc@fabriziobrook.com

Golf Outing

Lynn Capp Sirich (Chair)
(248) 267-3304
sirich@millercanfield.com

Race Judicata

David Saperstein (Chair)
(248) 355-5200
dms@maddinhauser.com 

Holiday Gala

Jim Parks (Chair)
(248) 351-3000
jparks@jaffelaw.com

Annual Meeting

Anne Cole Pierce (Chair)
(248) 855-5200
acppc@aol.com

Oakland County Bar Foundation Signature Event

Diana Dietle (Co-Chair)
(248) 685-2029
ddietle1@yahoo.com

Eric Pelton (Co-Chair)
(248) 645-0000
epelton@kohp.com

Mark Stern (Co-Chair)
(313) 465-7568
mstern@honigman.com

Student Committee is organized to assist students who anticipate entering into the practice of law and the legal profession. It also provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and a catalyst to launch seminars and other programs.  Contact the chair or vice chair of the student committee for locations & times of meetings.

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.

Carmen Lyon (Chair)
lyonc@cooley.edu

Emily Thomas (Vice Chair)
emilythomas@wayne.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.

Gloria Chon (Chair)
(248) 740-5689
gloria.chon@kkue.com

Brian Simmons (Vice Chair)
(248) 891-1331
simmons@doeren.com

Veterans Committee is concerned with matters as they pertain to legal representation of veterans as well as support of legal aid programs that support services to veterans of military affairs. The Veterans Committee meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at the OCBA office.

Don Orlandoni (Chair)
(248) 225-7063
orlandoni@butzel.com

Charles Brown (Vice Chair)
(248) 891-1331
cedwardbrown@comcast.net

Limited Committees

Circuit Court Committee 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.

Karen Safran (Chair)
(248) 644-4840
ksafran@carsonfisher.com

Mike Condit (Vice Chair)
(248) 645-5205

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.

Adam Cohen (Chair)
(248)646-0888
hacohen@spclaw.com

Mark Schwartz (Vice Chair)
(248) 353-4000
mks@mkslwafirm.com

District Court examines various areas of concern and works to resolve problem areas that might arise involving the District Courts' operations 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.

Barry Brickner (Chair)
(248) 258-4930
barryl2@mich.com

Hon. Cynthia Thomas Walker (Vice Chair)
(248)758-3882
Cwalker@pontiac.mi.us 
 

Legislative works with the Board of Directors and lobbyist 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.

Jared Buckley (Chair)
(248) 444-6298
jprattbuck@aol.com 

Steven Galbraith (Vice Chair)
(248) 357-3910
sgalbraith@galbraithpc.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.

Kurt Schnelz (Chair)
(248) 258-7074
kschnelz@swlawpc.com