Volume 18 #1

Fall

Having recently assumed the position of Chair of the Negligence Section Council for the State Bar of Michigan, I write to express how honored and humbled I am to serve in this position. First, I want to outline some of the issues we anticipate grappling with in the year ahead. It only takes a cursory review of those who have served before me, both on the Council and the Leadership Team, to understand the significance of this position. It is a responsibility that I take seriously and I pledge to work hard in the coming year to improve and build upon what I’ve assumed. I look forward to working with our leadership and all members in the coming year to provide informative and timely educational programming, to continue to weigh in on the most significant issues impacting the practice of negligence law, and to hopefully mix in a little fun for our members...

Section Amicus Briefs

On August 11, 2021, the Negligence Council adopted guidelines governing the submission of amicus briefs.

The Michigan Supreme Court routinely requests that the Negligence Section address important matters before it. Every submission to the courts is scrutinized by these guidelines.

In addition, consistent with our mission, our voting requirements mandate consensus among plaintiff and defense council members. This affords a balanced approach to the most critical matters impacting negligence law.

These guidelines are set forth below.

Journal Articles

The section encourages authors to submit articles regarding relevant and timely issues. Articles may not reflect the opinions of the section or its council.

Journal editors:

David Shafer

Email

D. Lee Khachaturian

Email

Civility in Litigation and Softball

Michael J. Jolet

Hewson & Van Hellemont PC

Email

Ronald K. Weiner

Lipton Law

Email

In the adversarial arena of civil litigation, the line between zealous advocacy and incivility can sometimes blur. Maintaining professional courtesy is not a matter of politeness alone. It is essential for effective advocacy. As courts, clients, and colleagues increasingly call for

professionalism, it is worth re-examining why civility remains vital to our legal system and how its erosion threatens both the legal profession and the positive outcomes we seek for our clients...

State Budget Complete – Will it lead to more Legislative Volume?

Todd Tennis

Capitol Services, Inc.

Email

The long and drawn-out 2025 state budget battle is finally over, as Governor Whitmer signed both the omnibus state budget bill and the school aid bill into law on Tuesday, October 7. While the initial budget proposals from the House and Senate were miles apart, in the end the final product was something about which both sides expressed mixed feelings. The budget included $1.8 billion...

New Council Member

Call for Young Lawyers!

The Young Lawyers Committee encourages young lawyers to submit articles to be featured in the E-Newsletter! This is a great opportunity for newer attorneys to get their name in front of the members of the Negligence Law Section.

If you are interested, please contact the Young Lawyer Committee Co-Chairs:

Amanda P. Waske: amwaske@gmail.com

Robbie Gaines: robbie@gaineslawyers.com

Past Chairperson Reception and Awards Ceremony - Award Recipients

Earl J. Cline & Sherwin Schreier Award for Excellence:

Joseph G. Lujan 

Awarded posthumously 

Distinguished Service Award:

Vernon R. Johnson

Ven Johnson Law, PLC

Sponsors

as of 4-9-2025

Hewson & Van Hellemont PC

Law Offices of Todd J Stearn PLC

Riley & Hurley PC

Event and Speaker Recommendations - We Want to Hear From You!

We're always looking to improve our event selection and give you opportunities for education, networking, and more. Your input is invaluable in helping us plan future events that best serve our members. Please take a moment to share your recommendations for speakers, topics, and locations you'd like to see at our upcoming programs. Your feedback ensures we continue to offer engaging and relevant events that meet your professional needs.

Succession Planning

Requirements for Michigan private practice attorneys changed effective September 1, 2023. Read the Supreme Court Order here. Required information is being collected during the current license renewal process for the 2023-2024 Bar Year.

Click the links below to view photos from the past events

Spring Meeting 2025

Young Lawyers Social 2025

Fall Seminar 2024

Annual Meeting and Awards Reception 2024

Past Chair 2024

Spring Meeting 2024

Young Lawyers Rock 'n Bowl 2024

Annual Meeting and Awards Reception 2023

Past Chair 2023

Spring Meeting 2023

Building Allies 2023

Please submit recent civil cases (within the past six months) where you prevailed - whether in a jury verdict or a settlement -- so MLW may publish them.

Questions about Lawyers Weekly's Verdicts and Settlements policy may be directed to the editor at (800) 678-5297 or editor@mi.lawyersweekly.com.

• Emails may appear to come from the Section's leadership, but may be from scammers
• Always verify payments verbally before making them
• Once you have identified a scammer, alert us and delete it
• There is no harm in waiting

Civility is extremely important in our courts, and many of these courts have released court orders regarding civility guidelines. Click below to check them all!

1. Act conscientiously and responsibly in your interactions with others.
2. To the extent possible, always cooperate with others.
3. Do not disparage or attack others.
4. Treat others fairly and respectfully notwithstanding the fact you may have differing perspectives, viewpoints or politics. 
5. Always act in good faith.
6. Always accord professional courtesy whenever reasonably possible.
7. Seek to exemplify the best of our profession in all interactions with others.
8. Do not act upon or exhibit bias toward others and seek to reasonably accommodate the needs of those who may require such accommodations.
9. Strive to be the best version of yourself.
10. Be patient with others and seek to follow the Golden Rule.

Want to see what other events are going on in the State Bar? Check out the calendar below!

2025 Supreme Court Update

Other Events

AI for Litigators - Educational Seminar

Co-Sponsored by the Negligence Law Section and the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Don’t miss this timely seminar. Get practical tips and enhance your litigation process with AI tools that improve drafting, trial prep, document summary, and more. Legal tech expert Paul J. Unger, experienced Michigan litigators, and judges share their insights. Presented by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and cosponsored by the Negligence Law Section and the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Table to Trial

Mastering Dining Etiquette & Courtroom Decorum

Chairperson

Mark A. Gilchrist

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge PC

Vice Chair

Debra A. Freid

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge PC

Secretary

Jenna Wright Greenman

Kitch Attorneys & Counselors, PC

Treasurer

Bryan J. Waldman

Sinas Dramis Graves Larkin & Waldman PC

Commissioner Liason

Thomas P. Murray, Jr.

The Sam Bernstein Law Firm

ABOTA Chapter Liaison

Cameron R. Getto

Zausmer PC

Legacy Advisors Committee

Robert F. Riley

Riley & Hurley PC

Judith A. Susskind

Sommers Schwartz PC

Young Lawyers Committee

Robbie Gaines

Gaines & Gaines PLC

Amanda Payne Waske

Rosati Schultz Joppich & Amtsbuechler PC

Ex-Officio

Donna M. MacKenzie

Olsman MacKenzie Peacock & Wallace

Council

Michael J. Behm

Behm & Behm PC

Dora A. Brantley

Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC

Justin J. Hakala

Kerr Russell and Weber, PLC

Michael J. Jolet

Hewson & Van Hellemont PC

Diana Lee Khachaturian

Law Offices of Diana Lee Khachaturian

Glenn A. Saltsman

Glenn A. Saltsman PLC

David P. Shafer

Shafer Swartz, PLC

Sarah S. Stempky-Kime

Christensen Law

Ronald K. Weiner

Lipton Law

John W. Whitman

Garan Lucow Miller PC

Contact Madelyne Lawry for Advertising Information