Daily Briefs . . .

State Supreme Court appoints business court judges in Wayne


The Michigan Supreme Court on Tuesday appointed two Michigan judges to business courts. Judge Lita M. Popke will serve in the 3rd Circuit Business Court in Wayne County, replacing retiring Judge Daniel P. Ryan. Judge Richard L. Caretti will serve in the 16th Circuit Business Court in Macomb County in a newly-added position.

“By creating and operating special business-focused dockets in our circuit courts, we have developed expertise, resources, and training so that complicated business matters are concluded more quickly and resolved consistently,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. 

Judge Popke first joined the 3rd Circuit bench in 2000 and has served in the Court’s Civil Division since 2012. Judge Popke previously practiced business law, appearing before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. She is a former President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Michigan Judges Association, and has served as a faculty member for the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) Michigan Judicial Institute’s “New Judges Seminar.” Judge Popke received her law degree from the University of Detroit Law School in 1983.

Judge Caretti has served on the bench in the 16th Circuit Court since 2002 and currently serves as the presiding judge for the Court’s Civil Division. Judge Caretti also served as a “Settlement Conference Judge” for the Michigan Court of Appeals. Previously, Judge Caretti practiced business law for 23 years. He earned his law degree from the Detroit College of Law in 1980, after serving eight years as a cadet and police officer in the Detroit Police Department.
Business courts are intended to provide a case management structure that facilitates more timely, effective, and predictable resolution of complex business cases.  Specialized dockets improve the efficiency of the courts, which benefits all litigants.

Michigan’s 17 business courts are an important example of how the Supreme Court is driving change to help trial courts measure performance and adopt best practices.  Other key strategic objectives include:  implementing technology and increasing access; and re-engineering court processes and improving service.

LAD to conduct free outreach clinic Aug. 12
Legal Aid and Defender Association Inc. (LAD) will conduct a free outreach clinic on civil legal services for income-eligible veterans on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at Detroit Veterans Center, 2770 Park Ave, Detroit. Attendees are asked to register before 10 a.m. as a LAD attorney will assist only those persons who have done so by that time. Anyone seeking legal services can call 877-964-4700 or visit www.ladadetroit.org.
 

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