Practice Sections
Practice Sections keep Association members abreast of developments in substantive areas of the law. Section membership is open to all general members of the Association. Each Section elects its own officers; has its own bylaws, which define its purpose and structure; and funds its own activities via the collection of individual Section dues. All Sections maintain a degree of autonomy, but their activities must be conducted in accordance of Article V of the Association's bylaws and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
If you would like to join a Section, please contact Debbie Kurtz at 454-5550 or debbie@grbar.org.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Business & Taxation
Corporate Counsel
Criminal Law
Environmental Law
Family Law
Intellectual Property
Labor & Employment
Legal Assistants
Litigation
Probate
Real Property
Seniors
Solos & Small Firms
Workers' Compensation
Young Lawyers
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)
Thomas F. Koernke, Chair
Koernke & Cramption, P.C.
940 Monroe Ave NW, Ste 250
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone:616/458-7900 Fax:616/458-7997
Email: tkoernke@grandlaw.com
What do they do?
Benefit GRBA members and the general public by facilitating communication and cooperation among practitioners, the courts, and the public on alternative dispute resolution methods. Develop, sponsor, and carry out continuing legal education programs; collaborate with other organizations and individuals involved with ADR; promote social interaction among GRBA members; and work to improve the quality of ADR services and practices available to the community. Click here to view the Section's May 2008 Meeting Minutes.
BUSINESS AND TAX
Stephanie L. Stenberg, Chair
Stuart Law PLC
40 Monroe Center St NW, Suite 312
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/916-6086
Email: stenberg@toddstuartlaw.com
What do they do?
Review those laws and regulations dealing with the governance, operation and taxation of businesses. The Section shall endeavor to accomplish these purposes by examining proposed legislation and regulations concerning business and taxation law; promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to business and taxation law; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars devoted to those issues.
CORPORATE COUNSEL
Linda Jo Carron, Chair
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co.
2700 Oak Industrial Drive
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Phone: 616/459-3311
Email: linda.jo.carron@kv.com
What do they do?
Provide a forum and mechanism to exchange information, including laws and regulations, helpful to lawyers acting as in-house attorneys. The Section shall endeavor to accomplish these purposes by examining proposed legislation and regulations concerning business, corporate employment, contracts, environmental, and other areas of the law; promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to the same; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars devoted to those issues.
CRIMINAL LAW
Richard E. Hillary, Chair
Kent County Office of the Defender
146 Monroe Ave. NW Ste. 920
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/774-8181
Email: rhillary@kcod.org
What do they do?
The Criminal Law Section exists to educate our members about changes in the criminal law, as well as to give practice pointers to those who are new to the practice of criminal law. The Criminal Law Section was created in July 2007 and its first meeting was in September 2007, when a 2007 Criminal Law Review was given by Timothy McMorrow of the Kent County Prosecutor's Office. As of July 2008, the Criminal Law Section has also had speakers from the Kent County Correctional Facility, Prison Legal Services, and U.S. Immigration. All seminars are held in the Cassard Room in the centrally-located Waters Building, one block from the downtown courthouse. If you have suggestions for future topics for this section, please e-mail the Section chair at the e-mail address listed above.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Tim Lundgren, Chair
Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP
PO Box 352, Bridgewater Place
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0352
Phone: 616/336-6750
Email: tjlundgren@varnumlaw.com
What do they do?
Review laws and regulations dealing with the conservation, protection and development of the natural resources of this State and its environment and to promote the fair and just administration of those laws and regulations which implement the mandate of Article IV, Section 52, of the 1963 Constitution of Michigan. The Section accomplishes these purposes by examining proposed legislation and regulations concerning natural resources and environmental law; by promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to natural resources and environmental law; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars and the publication of legal writing devoted to these issues.
FAMILY LAW
Randall L. Velzen, Chair
Velzen, Johnsen and Wikander
The Federal Square Building
29 Pearl Street NW, Ste 414
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/233-9160
Email: rvelzen@westmichigandivorce.com
What do they do?
Study the laws, court rules and procedures pertaining to the family. Further, the Section involves local practitioners in efforts to encourage efficient, predictable and civil practice of family law in local courts.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
Aaron Wong, Chair
Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton
695 Kenmoor SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: 616/949-9610
Email: awong@priceheneveld.com
What do they do?
Provide insight into the often mystifying world of patent law as well as bringing together well-versed patent practitioners with other attorneys having a general interest in IP Law. The Section will provide forums for discussion on current legal topics as well as provide seminars that seek to educate Bar members on the basics of IP practice. The Section will also look to sponsor social events for networking with other members of the Bar. Meetings will be scheduled on a quarterly basis.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW
Norman D. Hawkins, Chair
Dickinson Wright
200 Ottawa Ave NW, Ste 900
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/458-1300
E-mail: nhawkins@dickinsonwright.com
What do they do?
Provide both educational and collegial opportunities. The Section accomplishes these purposes by conducting educational programs on Labor/Employment law, especially new legislation and regulations; by promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to Labor/Employment law; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars and the publication of legal writing devoted to those issues. Meetings occur quarterly.
LEGAL ASSISTANTS
Nancy S. Lentner, Chair
Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge
250 Monroe Ave. NW, Ste. 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/458-8439
Email: nlentner@shrr.com
What do they do?
Encourage a high order of ethical and professional attainment, including but not limited to continuing the educational needs of Legal Assistants; promotion of the profession; the exchange of ideas among members; and support of pro bono work within the legal community. To access the LAS blog, click here: http://grbalas.blogspot.com/
LITIGATION
Richard E. Hillary II, Chair
Miller Johnson
250 Monroe Ave NW Ste 800
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/831-1774
Email: hillaryr@millerjohnson.com
What do they do?
Take actions to benefit the Section's members and the general public, including but not limited to the following: develop, sponsor and carry out continuing legal education programs; review and analyze legislative developments in areas of substantive law; publish articles on litigation; promote social interaction among GRBA members; and advance the level of local court practice.
PROBATE AND ESTATE PLANNING
Christopher M. Brown, Chair
Miller Johnson
250 Monroe Ave NW Ste 800
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/831-1700
Email: brownc@millerjohnson.com
What do they do?
Provide a cooperative and collegial forum for members of the Grand Rapids Bar Association interested in or engaged in the practice of Trusts and Estates law, in all of its forms. Communicate with one another on matters affecting the practice of Trusts and Estates law including, but not limited to: the effect of existing and pending legislation and case law; changes in procedures involving the administration of governmental programs (such as Medicaid); and changes in Internal Revenue Service and Kent County Probate Court procedures. The Section promotes the continuing legal education of its members and the general public by sponsoring meetings, seminars, and legal writings pertaining to the practice of Trusts and Estates law. The Section will at times collaborate with other organizations, including the Western Michigan Estate Planning Council, and other GRBA Sections, to promote such continuing legal education. The Section promotes social interaction among Section members and works to improve the overall quality of practice of Trusts and Estate law among Section members.
REAL PROPERTY
Andrew L. Rassi, Chair
Schnelker Rassi & McConnell PLC
44 Grandville Ave SW, Ste 380
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/828-5375
Email: andrew.rassi@srmlawyers.com
What do they do?
Review those laws and regulations dealing with the governance, operation, and taxation of businesses. The Section shall endeavor to accomplish these purposes by examining current and proposed legislation and regulations concerning business and taxation law; promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to business and taxation law; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars devoted to those issues.
SENIORS
Bruce Barnhart, Chair
Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett, LLP
PO Box 352
Bridgewater Place
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Ph: (616) 336-6713
E-mail: babarnhart@varnumlaw.com
What do they do?
Currently the Senior Section exists for social purposes only. The Section conducts three meetings per year: two luncheon meetings without spouses, and one evening meeting in late spring or early fall with spouses or significant others. These meetings provide a good time; help renew acquaintances; and promote a sense of camaraderie and friendship with our professional colleagues. Note: the Senior Section by-laws do not specify an age at which one becomes a senior. So, you are eligible when you think you are.
SOLO AND SMALL FIRMS
Elizabeth Welch Lykins
The Lykins Law Firm
PO Box 6262
Grand Rapids, MI 49516
Phone: 616/454-7618
Email: elykins@lykinslaw.com
What do they do?
Provide a forum for networking among its membership, with a focus on exchanging practical information regarding solo/small firm administration issues (e.g., computer software, staffing, purchasing, etc.) and informal exchanges on legal topics of general interest. It is anticipated that the Section will provide both formal and informal opportunities for support, mentoring and consultation to the membership.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Jane C. Hofmeyer, Chair
Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge
250 Monroe Ave NW, Ste 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/774-8000
Email: jhofmeyer@shrr.com
What do they do?
Provide both educational and collegial opportunities. The Section accomplishes these purposes by conducting educational programs on Workers' Compensation, especially new legislation and regulations; promoting the education of members of the local Bar and general public in those areas pertaining to Workers' Compensation; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars and the publication of legal writing devoted to those issues.
YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION
Jeffrey M. Black, Chair
17th Circuit Court
180 Ottawa Ave NW, Ste 12000B
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/632-5028
Email: jeff.black@kentcountymi.gov
What do they do?
All regular members of the Association who have not reached their 36th birthday or who have been practicing less than five years qualify as members of the Young Lawyers Section (YLS). These members can elect to pay no YLS Section dues for their first year of practice after passing the Bar Exam. After the first year of practice, dues for membership in the YLS are $15 per year. YLS members enjoy opportunities to network and participate in activities that contribute to their personal and professional enrichment. For more information on YLS, click here.
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