Daily Briefs

New judge appointed to 3rd Circuit Court


Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Darnella D. Williams to the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County.

Williams is currently the deputy chief of staff for the Wayne County Executive’s Office. In this role, she reviews, approves, and executes contracts on behalf of the County Executive, works as an assistant corporation counsel, and acts as the Freedom of Information Act appellate officer for the county.

Williams previously worked as a civil litigation attorney with Zausmer, August & Caldwell, P.C., served as general counsel for the Wayne County Sheriff’s office, and was an adjunct professor for the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Currently, she teaches Business Law at Wayne County Community College District.

While earning her law degree, Ms. Williams also served as a police officer with the City of Detroit Police Department.

Williams is a member of the NAACP and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.

“It is truly an honor to serve the citizens of Wayne County as a judge of the Third Circuit Court,” Williams said. “I have dedicated most of my adult life to public service and this appointment allows me to continue my life’s mission to help others. I enthusiastically look forward to serving as a member of the bench and I am humbled by the opportunity to be of value to my community as a judicial officer.”

This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which expires at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2021, after Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway stepped down. If Williams wishes to serve the remainder of Judge Hathaway’s term expiring at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2022, she would be required to run for reelection in November of 2020.

 

Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center offers online mediation
 

While it’s not business as usual for most individuals and organizations during the COVID-19 crisis, Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center (WCDRC), provides a helpful, online alternative to people who are eager to resolve disputes.

Through MI-Resolve individuals can resolve disputes online via videoconference with the help of a specially trained mediator to help parties identify a solution that works best for them.

MI-Resolve, supported by the Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Office, was first introduced in 2019 and provides a free, quick and easy means of resolving disputes that are typically filed as a small claims or landlord/tenant case in the district court.

As an example of how MI-Resolve works, a mother and son were able to repair their broken relationship in a landlord/tenant dispute. The son had been living with his mom and after she filed an eviction on him, it was placed on his credit report. Through mediation, she shared that her intent was not to cause him financial hardship but to help him grow up and move out on this own. Both realized there were things they would need to do in order to remove the eviction and help him find a place to live. Working together with a mediator, they were able to mend their relationship.

To learn about MI-Resolve eligibility requirements and the types of disputes that are most easily resolved online, visit wcdrc.org/mi-resolve-online-mediations.



––––––––––––––––––––

Subscribe to the Legal News!

http://legalnews.com/subscriptions

Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more

Day Pass Only $4.95!

One-County $80/year

Three-County & Full Pass also available

 

––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available