Daily Briefs (Nov 23)

State Supreme Court criticizes ex-justice 
DETROIT (AP) — Five members of the Michigan Supreme Court have rebuked a former justice who secretly recorded and released internal court discussions.

The Nov. 17 letter to Elizabeth Weaver says, “It is truly a sad day when this Court is forced to censure a former colleague.”

During the recent election season, Weaver disclosed that she had secretly recorded her fellow justices in 2006 while discussing cases during a conference call. In October, she released a transcript to reveal that Justice Robert Young Jr. had used the N-word.

Weaver and Young were foes on the court. Young, who is black, acknowledged using the racial slur but said he was simply quoting a disgraced former Detroit-area judge.

Weaver quit the court in August.

Massaron Ross named first vice pres. of DRI
The DRI-Voice of the Defense Bar recently elected Mary Massaron Ross to serve as its First Vice President. Massaron Ross, one of Michigan’s top appellate lawyers, was elected first vice president at DRI’s 2010 Annual Meeting. She previously served as second vice president of the 22,500-member organization and is co-editor of DRI’s A Defense Lawyer’s Guide to Appellate Practice.

A member of the Board of Directors at Plunkett Cooney, Massaron Ross has been named a Best Lawyer in America for Appellate Law every year since 2007 and a Michigan Super Lawyer, Top 50 Michigan Female Attorney and Top 100 Statewide Attorney every year since 2006. She graduated summa cum laude from Marygrove College and received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School. She served as a Law Clerk to Michigan Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia J. Boyle from 1991-1992.

ISIAL to hold annual Christmas dinner Dec. 15 at Gaelic League
The Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers (ISIAL) will celebrate its annual Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 15, starting at 6 p.m. at the Gaelic League in Detroit. The event costs $25 per ISIAL member and guest, $30 for ISIAL member and guest at the door, and $35 for non-ISIAL members. To confirm attendance, contact ISIAL President Dennis Powers at (586) 468-2940.

Holiday hours
The Third Circuit Court Civil, Criminal and Family Divisions will be closed Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. The court will reopen Monday, Nov. 29.

In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the 36th District Court will be closed to the public on Thursday November 25, 2010 and Friday November 26, 2010.  Only Criminal Arraignments will be conducted.

The Wayne County Clerk’s Office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

All offices of the United States District Court and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25-26, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

In case of emergency, call (313) 234-5656.

The Michigan Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) will be closed on Thursday and Friday Nov. 25-26, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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