Please mark your calendars for a Zoom Videoconference on Friday, January 15 at noon featuring a panel discussion and Q&A with Chief Judge Robert Jonker and Judge Hala Jarbou for an update on the impact of COVID on court operations and litigation.

Another notice will go out after the holidays with the Zoom link to join the program.

We hope you can join us!

Rebecca Strauss
President
West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

“A must-read for all lawyers and judges but also for any citizen seeking
to understand our state’s history and the interworkings and interrelationships
of the governments which serve us.”

–Judge James Robert Redford, Michigan Court of Appeals

Order your copy today and receive
30% off when you use code FW20 at checkout!
(expires December 31, 2020)

A Lincoln Legacy: The History of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan by David Gardner Chardavoyne with Hugh W. Brenneman, Jr. provides the first and only comprehensive examination of the history of the United States federal courts in the Western District of Michigan. The federal courts were established by the U.S. Constitution to adjudicate disputes involving federal laws, disputes between litigants from different states involving state and federal laws, and to punish violations of criminal laws passed by Congress. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating two federal districts in the state of Michigan: the Eastern and Western Districts-the latter of which is headquartered in Grand Rapids and which now encompasses the western half of the Lower Peninsula and all of the Upper Peninsula. With the rapid expansion of legislation passed by Congress, the increasing mobility of society, and the growth of interstate commerce, the federal courts have assumed an important and sometimes dominant role in major litigation today.

David Gardner Chardavoyne is a veteran Michigan lawyer and a legal educator who teaches as an adjunct professor at Wayne State University Law School. He is the author of The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Wayne State University Press, 2012) and a frequent contributor to The Court Legacy, the journal of the Historical Society for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Hugh W. Brenneman, Jr. is a retired United States Magistrate Judge for the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, having served for thirty-five years on that court. He is presently the Court Historian. He is a graduate of Alma College and the University of Michigan Law School, and lives with his wife in West Michigan.

SAVE THE DATE!
December Speaker Series: Written/Oral Advocacy
Wednesday, December 9, 202012:00pm
(via Zoom)
Distinguished speakers:
U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney
Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Thomas C. Cameron
Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Heather S. Bergmann
Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 766 604 1963

Lawyers must do two things well: speak persuasively and write persuasively. Our panelists will share their perspective on how to achieve and further develop these essential skills.
This event is co-sponsored by:

We hope you can join us!

Rebecca Strauss
President
Western Michigan Chapter of the FBA

Pro Bono in a Pandemic: 2020 POWER Act (Downloadable PDF)

The Federal Bar Association will be hosting its first “lunch and learn” program of the season beginning at noon on Thursday, November 12, 2020. The Jury Assembly Room in the Gerald R. Ford Federal Building and Courthouse in Grand Rapids will be open and available for anyone who can safely attend in person. Because of ongoing covid-19 concerns, there will also be a zoom option available for anyone who wants to participate virtually.

The focus of this year’s program will, once again, be on pro bono opportunities in the domestic violence context. The pandemic has amplified the need for pro bono representation. And as we learned last year, you do not need to be a domestic relations lawyer to provide help. To the contrary, opportunities abound for anyone with a law license and a willingness to help. The program this year will emphasize the unique needs and opportunities during the covid-19 pandemic.

Congress adopted the POWER Act in 2018. Once again, our Federal Bar Association is serving as the organizational arm for this District’s program. Once again, Chief Judge Robert Jonker will moderate a panel of experts. This year, we expect:

1) Testimonials about real life pro bono assistance from both attorneys and clients. Kristen Wolfram, a top private practitioner who has frequently provided pro bono support to survivors, and Steven Grumm, the Director of Community Engagement for Legal Aid of Western Michigan will introduce these stories and offer their unique a well-informed perspective on opportunities for effective service.

2) Norika L. Kida Betti and Hank Fields of Michigan Indian Legal Services will present their perspective on need, existing services and pro bono opportunities in Indian Country. Did you know that Michigan is the only State in the Sixth Circuit with any federally recognized Indian Tribes, and that eleven of the twelve Tribes in Michigan have their home in the Western District of Michigan? This is a unique opportunity in our District.

3) Elinor Jordan of the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence will provide focused vignettes on service opportunities that would be of particular value during the pandemic. Her presentation will assist participants in learning new ways they can be of service.

The point of this program is not to endorse any substantive legal position on any of the complex issues involved. It is simply to highlight the pressing need for adequate representation of all impacted parties, and the corresponding opportunities for pro bono service.

If you would like to order a brown bag lunch for $10.00, please contact Melissa Rabidoux at Melissa_Rabidoux@fd.org by the close of business on Friday, November 6, 2020.

If you would like to attend this program virtually by Zoom, please click on the ZOOM REGISTRATION link provided.

We hope you can join us!

Rebecca Strauss
President
Western Michigan Chapter of the FBA

‌

You are cordially invited to attend the
West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

Annual Meeting

October 1, 2020, – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
at the Quail Ridge Golf Course
8375 36th St. SE, Ada, Michigan

RSVP by September 28, 2020

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Rabidoux at
Melissa_rabidoux@fd.org or 616-742-7420.

Please join us for the 2020 Annual Meeting for the West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. This year’s event will be held on October 1st, 2020 at the Quail Ridge Golf Course from 3 to 6 PM.

With the release of “A Lincoln Legacy – The History of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan,” written by David G. Chardavoyne with the Honorable Hugh W. Brenneman, Jr., the much-anticipated history of our Court, a luncheon event (as we have done in the past) simply would not do. Instead, we have a new Annual Meeting format planned, which will allow us to celebrate the book release, acknowledge the authors and others whose hard work and long hours made the book possible, offer some timely (but limited) programming, and conduct the business required by our bylaws. Drinks and refreshments will follow all of this.

We will hold the Annual Meeting and the Historical Society Annual Meeting in a large tent where we can safely enjoy each other’s company. This event will be a business casual event. If you plan to join us in person, please bring your mask. If you would prefer to attend virtually, please join our live stream over Zoom.

Please RSVP by Monday, September 28^th. In-person attendance is limited and may sell out. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at Quail Ridge Golf Course from 3 to 6 PM.

To register for the event, please click on this LINK or you can print your INVITATION and mail it in. A copy of A Lincoln Legacy – The History of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan will be included with your registration.

We hope you can join us!

Brian Lennon
President
Western Michigan Chapter of the FBA

the application

The deadline for applications has been extended to April 6th. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the May 15th training date may change. More information will follow.

The Western District of Michigan’s (WDMI) Pro se Prisoner Early Mediation Program (PEM) uses early mediation conferences to assist the parties in settling pro se prisoner civil rights cases brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. PEM has been very successful, resolving more than 50% of the cases that have gone to mediation. The WDMI has been using its Voluntary Facilitative Mediation panel mediators, but it now needs additional trained mediators to maximize PEM’s benefits. Accordingly, the Court has asked the FBA to assist in identifying and training additional PEM mediators. These additional mediators would be used solely for PEM.

Section 1983 allows state prisoners to file federal lawsuits for claims of alleged violations of constitutional rights by prison officials. These may include Eighth Amendment claims relating to prison conditions and medical care, First Amendment claims relating to speech and the free exercise of religion, and Fourth Amendment claims relating to searches and seizures. These cases often include affirmative defenses of failure to exhaust administrative remedies and qualified immunity. Section 1983 cases take up a significant part of the Court’s docket.

PEM mediation takes place in half-day sessions on Fridays at the Grand Rapids Federal Courthouse (and sometimes in Lansing). The parties and attorneys explain to the mediator the factual and legal issues in the case. Mediators meet jointly with all parties and/or separately and confidentially with each party and counsel to discuss the issues, with the goal of obtaining and presenting settlement offers or proposals. As in other mediations, all communications (written and oral) are strictly confidential. No party is required to participate in PEM. Accordingly, the parties who do participate do so by choice, increasing the likelihood of settlement.

Our FBA Chapter has a long history of working cooperatively with the Court. Please consider whether, as part of your pro bono commitment, you would be willing to serve the Court and litigants through this important program. If so, please complete the application and return it by March 20, 2020. For more information about PEM and the training process, contact U.S. Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green at (616) 456-2309.

To be considered for certification as a pro bono PEM mediator, an applicant must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• be an attorney with at least five years of litigation experience, with preference given to those applicants whose principal practice is in the state and federal courts in the Western District of Michigan;
• be a member in good standing of the WDMI bar;
• successfully complete four hours of training to be sponsored by the court at the Grand Rapids Federal Courthouse on May 15, 2020; and
• agree to serve as a mediator in a pro bono capacity at least twice each year.

Submit the application along with any copies of certificates of completion of training to Melissa Rabidoux at Melissa_Rabidoux@fd.org

Brian Lennon
President

The Judges of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan announce the upcoming retirement of their friend and colleague, Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley. Judge Greeley will retire in March of 2019. When he retires, Judge Greeley will have served the Court as Magistrate Judge in Marquette for 31 years.

The Judges of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan announce the retirement of their friend and colleague, Magistrate Judge Ellen S. Carmody. Her retirement will be effective November 1, 2019. Judge Carmody has served this District with excellence for over 18 years since her appointment in October 2000. Judge Carmody has the notable distinction of being the first female judicial officer in the Western District of Michigan. She has served on the steering committee and faculty of the Hillman Advocacy Program, the Western District of Michigan’s training program for newly practicing lawyers. Among other accomplishments, Judge Carmody has also served on various Western District of Michigan court management committees, including the Pro Bono, Alternate Dispute Resolution, Employment Dispute Resolution, Information Technology, and Case Management/Electronic Case Filing committees. Judge Carmody has taught as an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University and Michigan State University College of Law. She has served the community with her involvement as the federal court liaison for the Michigan State University College of Law pro bono clinic for prisoner civil rights and her past work on the “ACE” (Accelerated Community Entry) Program, an intensive post-custody supervision program. Judge Carmody grew up in Ambler, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Grand Valley State College (now Grand Valley State University) and Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan Law School. She is married to Dr. Robert Roosenberg.

Before starting her distinguished career on the bench, Judge Carmody worked as a special education teacher for the Grand Rapids Public Schools from 1975 to 1980. Following her graduation from law school in 1983, Judge Carmody served as a law clerk to the Honorable Douglas W. Hillman of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. From there, she joined the law firm of Law Weathers and Richardson and worked there as an associate, and later as a partner, where she specialized in commercial and employment litigation, until her appointment as Magistrate Judge in October 2000. The Honorable Janet T. Neff had this to say about Magistrate Judge Carmody’s distinguished service: “Judge Carmody has been an integral part of the Court’s operation and progress. In addition to her regular judicial duties which she carries out so ably, she has played important roles in many of the Court’s projects, including shepherding the alternate dispute resolution program from its inception to the successful status it now enjoys and her tireless efforts to secure pro bona counsel for prisoner civil rights plaintiffs. She will be greatly missed, not only for her great contributions to the Court, but also for her upbeat and always pleasant manner which make her so easy to work with. She leaves big shoes to fill.” The Chief Judge of the District, Robert J. Jonker, adds: “Judge Carmody models what it means to exercise authority with genuine respect for the persons most directly affected by it. She listens with genuine interest and empathy to the stories of the litigants who appear before her while at the same time delivering unflinchingly the decisions the law requires. In so doing, she models the best of what the federal courts provide.” Judge Carmody’s tenure on the bench has been characterized by her exemplary and consummate service to others inside and outside of the Court. The entire Court family wishes Judge Carmody and her family the best in this next chapter of their lives.