2009 - 2010
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 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.

Earlene Baggett-Hayes (Chair)
(248) 454-9660
erbhayes@sbcglobal.net

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

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.

Daniel D. Quick (Chair)
(248) 433-7200
dquick@dickinson-wright.com

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

Raymond A. Correll (Chair)
(248) 557-9270
raycorrell@sbcglobal.net

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

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 8:00 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.

John Nussbaumer (Chair)
(248) 751-7800
nussbauj@cooley.edu

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

Thomas L. Shaevsky (Chair)
(248) 258-1616
shaevsky@butzel.com

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

Rebecca S. Davies (Chair)
(248) 539-9900
rdavies@fosterswift.com

Gary Francis (Vice Chair)
(248) 901-4045
gfrancis@plunkettclooney.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. 

Kristen L. Robinson (Chair)
(248) 614-9005
kristen@mellinrobinson.com

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

James C. Rabaut (Chair)
(248) 945-3802
jim.rabaut.g1lm@statefarm.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 11:45 a.m. in the Adams-Pratt Oakland County Law Library.

Monica Rossi Baylis (Chair)
(248) 634-9080
mrb_pllc@voyager.net

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

Melinda N. Deel (Chair)
(248) 858-7954
mnd@deel.org

Rebecca Turner (Vice Chair)
(248) 208-0718
rmt@maddinhauser.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.

Philip R. Fabrizio (Chair)
(248)666-5924
phil@fabrizioprlaw.com

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

Shelly Rayment (Chair)
(248) 335-5000
srayment@hertzschram.com

Catherine Ragan (Vice Chair)
(248) 502-1447
cragan@orlans.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.

Kristin Bricker Kolb (Chair)
(248) 851-9500
kkolb@secrestwardle.com

Barry Malone (Vice Chair)
(248) 540-7400
BMalone@ANAfirm.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 6:30 p.m.  In even months, the Committee meets in Royal Oak; in odd months the Committee meets at the OCBA office.

Maureen M. McGinnis (Chair)
(248) 643-6002
mmcginnis@dmcginnis.com

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

Diana Moak (Chair)
(248) 644-7222
dpmoak@aol.com

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

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 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.

Paula Zimmer (Chair)
(248) 443-8068 x245
zimmerp@cooley.edu

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

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.

David H. Martyn (Chair)
(866) 963-1901
dmartyn@stewart.com

John Engman (Vice Chair)
(248) 362-2600
jonengman@fabriziobrook.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)
(734) 769-6838
chadengelhardt@gmail.com

Americo Fernandes (Vice Chair)
(734) 469-4894
americo@ksflawoffice.com

Special Events

Golf Outing

Todd Roeser (Chair)
(734) 354-5572
todd.roeser@fngp.com

Race Judicata

Amanda Kill (Chair)
(248) 641-9955
akill@starkreagan.com

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

 

Holiday Gala

James G. Derian (Chair)
(248) 813-3367
james.derian@delphi.com

Annual Meeting

David Carl Anderson (Chair)
(248) 526-0133
dcalaw08@att.net

Oakland County Bar Foundation Signature Event

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

Brent Easton (Chair)
bl.easton@comcast.net

Carmen Lyon (Vice Chair)
lyonc@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.

Michael Antovski (Chair)
(248) 988-5885
mantovski@clarkhill.com

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

Michael D. Schloff (Chair)
(248) 645-5205
mdschloff@aol.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.

Michael M. Jacob (Chair)
(248) 540-2300
mjacob@stroblpc.com

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

Robert M. Sosin (Chair)
(248) 642-3200
robert@asnlaw.com

Charlie Langton (Vice Chair)
(586) 268-8200
clangton@langtonlaw.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.

Jessica Lee Gustafson (Chair)
(248) 544-0888
jgustafson@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.

Michael D. Schloff (Chair)
(248) 645-5205
mdschloff@aol.com