View as Webpage

Volume 18 #2

Winter

Part of my role as Chair of the Section this year is keep our membership apprised of the work being done behind the scenes to advocate when asked on important issues that impact the professional practices of our membership, whether plaintiff or defendant. We have recently weighed in on one such issue, via an amicus brief filed in the Michigan Supreme Court....

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

MRPC 6.1 and the Proposed Changes

Glenn A. Saltsman

Glenn A. Saltsman PLC

Email

Are you aware that there is a rule that discusses Pro Bono Public Service in Michigan?

Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct (MRPC) 6.1, states...

Closing the Book on 2025

Todd Tenis

Capitol Services, Inc.

Email

The year is rapidly coming to a close, and as this is being written, there are only one or two more days where the Michigan Legislature will be in session. Even if there were to be a large number of bills agreed upon by both the House and Senate in the next few days, it will not be enough to make 2025 the year with the lowest production of legislation in Michigan history....

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

2026 Annual Spring Meeting

Friday, May 1 - Monday, May 4, 2026

Scottsdale, AZ – The Phoenician 

Sponsors

as of 1-19-2026

Brian E. Fischer PLLC

Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC

Hewson & Van Hellemont

Law Offices of Todd J Stearn PLC

Olsman MacKenzie Peacock

Peter M. Ruggirello, PLLC and Ruggirello, Burke, Reizen & Fox, PC

Riley & Hurley PC

Secrest Wardle

Sinas Dramis Law Firm

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.

Photo Gallery

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!

Top Ten Civility Tips

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!

Social Media

2025 Supreme Court Update

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

Silvia Alexandria Mansoor

Foley Baron Metzger Juip

Education Chair

Chad Engelhardt

Goethel Engelhardt PLLC

AMICUS Committee Chairs

Beth Wittmann

Granzotto & Wittmann, PC

Timothy A. Diemer

Jacobs and Diemer PC

ABOTA Chapter Liaison

Cameron R. Getto

Zausmer PC

Legacy Advisors Committee

Robert F. Riley

Robert Riley 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