Cheers from the Bar: Futro enters 2nd year as executive director of DMBA

By Benjamin Jeffers

You don’t need to be a practicing attorney to make a significant difference in the legal profession. Every day, lawyers make contributions to our community without representing a client or taking the bench.

The DMBA knows this first-hand. One year ago, Mitzy Sharp Futro became our executive director. We’ve grown to know Mitzy and think it’s time the Detroit legal community got to know her better.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Mitzy obtained her BA in 1996 and JD in 1999, both from the University of Southern California. She practiced law for a while in Denver, before moving to Michigan.

Private practice, however, was not her first calling. She wanted to be in community and public service. A self-described “nonprofit junkie,” Mitzy became an Equal Justice Works Fellow for Community Legal Resources in Detroit from 2001-2003. There she designed and implemented CLR’s direct education initiative for nonprofit organizations.

Mitzy then took on the role of Director of the Nonprofit Management Program at the Accounting Aid Society, and served in various positions at the Michigan Nonprofit Association. All the while, Mitzy continued to pursue another interest — teaching. From 2003-2009, Mitzy served as an Adjunct Professor at Wayne State University, teaching classes on Planning and Development Law. Today, she continues to serve as a guest lecturer for university and community programs.

And on the side, Mitzy is a music nut; her tastes span all genres and eras. Each year, one of the highlights of her summer is joining her family for a two-day concert festival. Mitzy was a DJ for several years, and now does sound production for her church. Plus, she is a total Detroit booster.

The DMBA has benefited tremendously from Mitzy’s talents and energy. Speaking to me recently, she explained her goals for the DMBA as it approaches its 175 birthday: “I think most attorneys would agree that one of the keys to successful legal practice is being able to make connections — whether it be with an informational resource, a peer whose specialty differs from yours, or the community around us. My goal is for the DMBA to become a key connection for the metro-Detroit practitioner; a resource that attorneys can turn to build their networks, find information and connect with the broader community.” The DMBA is proud to have Mitzy Sharp Futro as our Executive Director to help guide us into the next chapter.

Benjamin Jeffers is the Secretary/Treasurer of the DMBA and a member of Dykema, where he specializes in commercial litigation.