GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids Bar Association (GRBA) has completed its review process concerning judicial races, across Kent County, that will appear on the November general election ballot. In Kent County, voters in the November election will select judges from a slate of the following six candidates - Tamara Lopez, (Candidate for Kent County Probate Judge), Matt DeLange (Candidate for Kent County Probate Judge), Charissa Huang (Candidate for 17th Circuit Court Judge), Jennifer Johnsen (Candidate for 17th Circuit Court Judge), Daniel O’Hara (Candidate for 63rd District Court Judge) and Jonathan Paasch (Candidate for 63rd District Court Judge). The GRBA’s evaluation of these candidates was announced today by the GRBA President, Michael David Adams.

The Judicial Candidate Review Committee undertook the task of evaluating each of the candidates who chose to participate in the process. The Bylaws of the Grand Rapids Bar Association define the responsibilities of the committee and the scope of its inquiry - and dictate how the committee should carry out those delegated responsibilities. As part of its review process, the committee evaluated each of the candidates’ legal ability, including scholarship, analysis, judgment and clarity of expression; trial experience; integrity; judicial temperament, including being open-minded, even-tempered, fair and impartial; and health, as affects the candidate’s ability to perform the judicial office.

As to each candidate, the committee (i) submitted an extensive questionnaire seeking relevant information, (ii) reviewed each candidate’s answers; (iii) checked listed references, (iv) conducted interviews, (v) performed background checks, (vi) conducted a personal interview of each of the participating candidates and, on the basis of all of the information disclosed, (vii) assessed each of the candidate’s overall qualifications for the judicial office they seek. There are six potential ratings - (i) exceptionally well qualified, (ii) well qualified, (iii) qualified, (iv) not qualified, (v) no rating by failure to participate in the process and (vi) not qualified by lack of experience. The ratings are defined in the Bylaws of the Grand Rapids Bar Association. Please click here for the full press release.

Judge David M. Murkowski, Chief Judge of the Kent County Probate Court, was named the 2024 Jurist of the Year by the Michigan Guardianship Association (MGA) at a ceremony held on September 20, 2024.

Steve Burnham, an executive board member of MGA, stated: "Judge Murkowski is a no-nonsense judge whose expertise in probate and trust law is well-known and well-regarded throughout Michigan. But Judge Murkowski's work extends well beyond the docket. He is a passionate educator who regularly lectures to colleagues and practitioners and works to improve and deliver quality training and education to professional fiduciaries." Judge Murkowski expressed his gratitude, saying: "I am honored and humbled by this recognition, but I share this award with many of my judicial colleagues who work tirelessly to improve our courts without recognition."

On behalf of Michigan’s military service members, our veterans, their families and supporters, we invite you to join us for the fourth annual Michigan Military & Veterans Gala on Nov. 2, 2024, at the L.V. Eberhard Center, located at 301 Fulton St W, Suite 210 in Grand Rapids.

The Gala is Michigan’s premier event to honor both those who have served our state and nation in uniform and those who work to support and advocate on their behalf. The fun-filled event begins at 6 p.m. with an evening social before moving into the awards ceremony at 8 p.m.. After the awards, the celebration will continue late into the night with dancing, good food, and fellowship.

Gala tickets are $45 and can be purchased at the 2024 Gala registration website. A maximum of 300 tickets will be sold for this public, adults-only event. A discounted block of hotel rooms is available at the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful evening sharing camaraderie, recognizing award recipients, and enjoying each other’s company. We hope you will join us! Please extend the invitation to your friends and family, service members, veterans, and those who support them.

Welcome to the event "What Does the Court say about eDiscovery and Ai" happening on Wed., Oct 16 2024 at Founders Brewing Co. Join us for a lively discussion on the intersection of eDiscovery and Aiwith Federal Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens and Federal Magistrate Judge Beth W. Jantz. Learn about the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in this exciting field. Network with industry professionals and gain valuable insights into how technology is shaping the future of the legal industry. Don't miss out on this informative event and register today! Click here to register!

Heidi A. Lyon, a partner with the law firm Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel.

Election to the college is the highest distinction for attorneys practicing in the areas of employee benefits and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA. Fellowship to ACEBC is extended by invitation only to experienced employee benefits attorneys who have been practicing for a minimum of 20 years and are acknowledged as having made significant contributions to the advancement of the field. Those selected for this honor are recognized “for expertise in the field and intellectual excellence” by their peers in the legal profession.

Lyon focuses her law practice on employee benefits and executive compensation for a diverse group of clients, including privately held and publicly traded global, national and local employers of all sizes, plan fiduciary boards and committees, colleges and universities, hospitals, nonprofits, governmental entities and professional services firms. She currently chairs the firm’s Professional Staff Committee, which is responsible for the firm’s senior counsel, associate attorneys and paralegals. She previously served as chair of the firm’s Employee Benefits Practice Group and as a member of the Management Committee that governs the firm.

Active professionally, Lyon is a longtime member of organizations dedicated to education and advancement, legislation development and regulatory guidance, and compliance for employee benefits, including the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries, IRS Great Lakes Tax-Exempt and Governmental Entities Council and the American Bar Association’s Tax Section and Joint Committee on Employee Benefits. She is also a member of the State Bar of Michigan and Grand Rapids Bar Association.

She regularly presents at programs designed to educate and update human resources, legal and accounting professionals on employee benefits. She has served as a lecturer for a course on employee benefits at Grand Valley State University and co-authored a chapter on qualified domestic relations orders for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Lyon holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan and a law degree from George Washington University.
 

The 62B District Court is currently seeking qualified individuals for a newly opened Attorney Magistrate position. This is a part-time position with a starting hourly rate of $35.29. 
 

Our ideal candidate has the following qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited school of law, verification required.
• A registered elector in the district of Kentwood.
• Has a valid Michigan driver's license.
• Licensed to practice law in the state of Michigan, verification required.
• Completion of training course in traffic law adjudication and sanctions by SCAO.
• Minimum of three years legal experience is preferred.
• File a performance bond in the amount of $50,000 with Kent County Treasurer and Chief Judge.
• Must be able to maintain and confirm a minimum of 24 hours of Continued Legal Education (CLE) every two years.
• Must be able to pass a full background check, including drug test screening. Due to federal regulations candidates may not test positive for marijuana.

Please visit the 62B District Court website for a full description:
https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6174594.careers?CareersSearch&InFrameset=1&origin=https://www.kentwood.us

Kent County is once again seeking interested attorneys to handle appointed felony cases! This is a fantastic opportunity to serve your community while also gaining valuable trial and criminal defense experience – and our hourly rates for attorneys are very competitive! The application is easier to use than ever, and can be accessed at: https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/IndigentDefense/.

The county is accepting applications from attorneys of all experience and career levels. Attorneys with less than 2 years of criminal law experience must take a Basic Skills course within the first year of their participation on the roster, and you’ll be assigned an experienced mentor to help you as needed.

You can take as few as 10 cases, and up to 40+. For more details, please feel free to contact Indigent-Defense@kentcountymi.gov or check out https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/IndigentDefense/ for more information on what is required. The attorney FAQ’s section has tons of helpful information about representing indigent clients in Kent County.

The City of Grand Rapids is Requesting Expressions of Interest from Attorneys to provide contractual Indigent Defense Service pursuant to Standard 4 for the period of October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025.

Statement of Work: 

The MIDC Act outlines Standard 4 – Counsel at First Appearance and Other Critical Stages of the Case be established to effectuate the following:  

1. All adults, except those appearing with retained counsel or those who have made an informed waiver of counsel, shall be screened for eligibility under this act, and counsel shall be assigned as soon as an indigent adult is determined to be eligible for indigent criminal defense services.  MCL 780.991(1)(c); and

2. Preliminary inquiry regarding, and the determination of, the indigence of any defendant shall be made by the court not later than the defendant’s first appearance in court.  MCL 780.991(3)(a).

Counsel shall be appointed to provide assistance to the defendant as soon as the defendant’s liberty is subject to restriction by a magistrate or judge.  All persons determined to be eligible for indigent criminal defense services shall also have appointed counsel at pre-trial proceedings, during plea negotiations and at other critical stages, whether in court or out of court.

Scope of Work:

The City of Grand Rapids intends to contract with up to forty-two (42) attorneys to represent indigent defendants determined eligible by the arraigning judge to obtain assigned counsel.   

Following appointment, Assigned Counsel shall conduct initial introductions with the client as soon as practicable to ensure quality representation.  If a client is in local custody, counsel shall conduct initial introduction within three (3) business days of appointment. 

Assigned Counsel shall provide legal services for indigent person(s) constitutionally and statutorily entitled to the appointment of counsel.  Assigned Counsel shall:

• Comply with all requirements of the Michigan Statues, the Rules of Professional Conduct, the rules of the Michigan Bar and the policy and procedures set forth by the 61st District Court. 
• Come to hearings prepared to provide competent representation.
• Not allow outside influences that affect performance on appointed cases.  
• Take appropriate action when a client’s competency is unknown.  Counsel has a continuing responsibility to evaluate, and when necessary, take appropriate action pursuant to MCR 6.125 and MCL 330.2020.
  
  Please click here for more information.