Calendar

1. February 17 Mark the Date

   American Bankruptcy Institute:
   The Walter Shapero Bankruptcy Symposium
   February 17
   Join the American Bankruptcy Institute and the committee of The Walter Shapero Bankruptcy Symposium for an educational session following the second annual Shapero Moot Court Competition on Monday, February 17. The symposium starts at 5 p.m. at the U.S. District Courthouse, 231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Room 115 in Detroit. Featured will be the Hon. Joel Applebaum, U.S. Bankruptcy Court (E.D. Mich.) and a demonstration of the arguments by seasoned attorneys on the same Duberstein fact pattern the teams argued earlier in the day. Congratulate the participating teams and network with colleagues at the awards ceremony and a cocktail reception at 6:15 p.m. Ticket price is $25. Register at https://www.abi.org/calendar-of-events.
   
   ‘9 to 5’: Women in the Workplace —
   Has Anything Really Changed?
   February 19
   Join Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Western; Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan; International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation; TMA NOW Detroit and TMA NOW West for  a private screening of “Women in the Workplace: Has Anything Really Changed Since ‘9 to 5’?” The private screening will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 19 at Maple Theater, 4135 W. Maple Rd. in Bloomfield Twp. The event will feature a Fireside Chat with Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly and Judge Denise Langford Morris discussing topics regarding the difficulties for women in the workplace and how women still face some of these issues during the course of their employment. Following the chat will be a private screening of the film “9 to 5”. Tickets are $25 per person. Register online at https:// www. michbar.org/. Donations of professional clothing and accessories will be accepted for the benefit of Dress for Success – Michigan. Monetary donations are also welcome, and a portion of proceeds from this event will be donated to Dress for Success. More information about Dress for Success can be found at https:// michigan.dressforsuccess.org/. For more information about the private screening, contact Kirsten Silwanowicz at kirsten.silwan owicz@gmail.com. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For questions regarding sponsorship, contact Erin Flynn at flynn.erin colleen@gmail.com.
   
   Retirement Celebration for
   Chief Federal Defender Miriam Siefer
   February 20
   Order tickets now to attend a reception to celebrate the retirement of Chief Federal Defender Miriam Siefer. The event will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, February 20 at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Italian Garden & Crystal Room, 1114 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor, in Detroit. Join in honoring Siefer for her 40 years of service with the Federal Defender Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Ticket price is $25 and may be purchased via PayPal at https://paypal.me/MKimF or by contacting Kim Ferranti at (313) 967-5844 or kim_ferranti@fd.org.
   
   Justice for All Task Force to host
   Town Hall Meetings
   February 24
   The Michigan Supreme Court’s Justice for All Task Force has scheduled two public town hall meetings seeking input on its plan to achieve 100 percent access to our civil justice system. The first meeting is on February 14 in Grand Rapids. The second meeting will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, February 24 at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Hall, 1358 Abbott St. in Detroit. Because the right to a lawyer does not apply to civil cases, there is a significant gap when it comes to equal access. Presently, in 75% of civil cases, at least one side cannot afford a lawyer, and they are losing in court because they don’t have the legal information or help they need. In its efforts to close this gap, the task force will be inventorying available resources for people with legal problems, identifying gaps, and developing a plan to achieve 100% access. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack and Justice Brian K. Zahra will open the meetings with short statements and then moderate public testimony. Local officials and representatives of community service organizations will also be invited to share their views. Those who want to speak will be invited to fill out a speaker’s card, and a time limit will be set based on the number of speakers. Future meetings will be scheduled as needed to complete the task force’s work. For more information visit https://courts.michigan.gov/News-Events/Pages/Justice-for-All.aspx
   
   Detroit Bar Association: 2020 Mardi Gras in the ‘D’ Membership Mixer
   February 25
   Don’t miss the Detroit Bar Association 2020 Mardi Gras in the “D” Membership Mixer from 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 25 at Fishbones, 400 Monroe St,. in Detroit. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and prizes. Sign up a new member and receive a drink ticket. Join for the first time and attend at no charge. Cost to attend for members is $25, $35 for non-members, $20 for students, and judges attend free. Register at https://members.detroit lawyer.org/. Partial funds raised at this event support Barristers Law Day School Partnership Program.
   
   2020 Wade H. McCree Jr. Award for Advancement of Social Justice Luncheon
   February 26
   Register now to attend the 2020 Wade H. McCree Jr. Award for the Advancement of Social Justice Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, February 26. This year’s award recipient is the Honorable Avern Cohn. The award luncheon will be held at the Atheneum Suite Hotel, 1000 Brush St. in Detroit. Among Wade H. McCree Jr’s many accomplishments and contributions, he was a professor at the University of Michigan Law School. The Federal Bar Association Eastern District of Michigan welcomes Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the University of Michigan football team, as this year’s Keynote Speaker for the luncheon. This luncheon is expected to be extremely well attended; therefore, firm sponsors are required to claim their tickets by February 16, 10 days in advance of the luncheon. Tickets sales end at room capacity, so buy them early. The cost to attend is $55 for members, $45 for law clerks and students, and $75 for non-members. Register at https://fba mich.org/.
   
   Techshow 2020: Bringing Lawyers
   and Technology Together
   February 26-29
   The American Bar Association will host Techshow 2020 February 26-29 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr. in Chicago. ABA Techshow has more than 32 years of experience bringing lawyers and technology together. Network with legal technology experts from around the globe. Legal work today is dependent on technology to manage day-to-day activities, to practice more competently, and to service clients more effectively. ABA Techshow teaches how technology can work for you. Regardless of expertise level, there’s something for everyone at ABA Techshow. Register as a member of the State Bar of Michigan for a special reduced rate. This discount only applies to registrants that qualify for the standard registration and will save $150. Register online at https:// www.techshow.com/pricing/ and include this unique discount code, EP2014, at checkout to receive the discount. For more information about Techshow 2020, visit www.techshow.com.
   
   11th Annual
   Tertzag Tribute Dinner
   February 27
   Family and friends of the Hon. Kaye Tertzag will host the eleventh annual Tertzag Tribute Dinner on Thursday, February 27 at 5 p.m. at Park Place Banquet Hall, 23400 Park Street in Dearborn. Tickets are $50 each or $350 per table of eight and include appetizers, dinner and an open bar. Judge Tertzag passed away on February 4, 2009, having established a legacy of integrity and service to Michigan, as well as a great example of love and devotion to his family and legion of friends. The Tertzag Tribute Dinner preserves and honors his memory. Join attorneys and elected officials on both sides of the aisle in what has become a premier event in the legal community. The recipient of this year’s Purple Sport Coat Award is Chief Judge Mark Plawecki. Plawecki was elected to the 20th District Court in 1994. Prior to serving on the bench, he was president of the Rombach, Plawecki and Viggiani firm and was also Hazel Park’s prosecutor. Justice Beth Clement will be the keynote speaker. Clement was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court by Gov. Snyder in 2017 and won election in 2018. She is the eleventh woman to serve on the bench. Send checks made payable to Tertzag Tribute Dinner LLC to Kara Tertzag Lividini at 412 Berwyn, Birmingham, MI 48009. Spouses and significant others are welcome. The event is expected to sell out and space is limited. For more information contact Kara Tertzag Lividini at (313) 645-9511 or ktertzag@tertzagdispute resolution.com.
   
   Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – Wayne Winter Wine Down
   March 3
   The Wayne chapter of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan will host Winter Wine Down from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 at VisTaTech Center, Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Rd. in Livonia. Close out the winter with peers at this event. Speaking on “Bridging the Gender Gap Through Financial Planning” will be Jacki Roessler, CDFA of the Center for Financial Planning. Dinner, wine and networking round out the evening. The cost to attend is $25 for members, $30 for guests and future members, and $100 for sponsorship. For sponsorship contact Alexandria at alexandrialeec@gmail.com or Santana at ssknight17@gmail.com. For more information about the event contact Amanda at aman datourangeau@icloud.com.
   
   Detroit Mercy Law Review:
   Race, Class, and Environmental Justice
   March 6
   Join Detroit Mercy Law Review as it hosts its 104th annual Symposium, centering on Race, Class, and Environmental Justice. The symposium will be held from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, March 6 at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, 651 East Jefferson Ave. in Detroit. The Detroit Mercy Law Review will welcome scholars, legal professionals, and community leaders from across the country to discuss issues at the intersection of environmental law and justice. Topics include how the effects of climate change, water quality, natural disasters, and food supply impact marginalized communities. The event is free and open to the public. Included is lunch and a reception to follow in the Law School’s atrium. RSVP by March 5 using EventBrite link at https://lawschool.udmercy.edu/. For more information contact Bridget Underhill at underhbl@ud mercy.edu.
   
   Michigan Defense Trial Counsel’s
   Fourth Annual Legal Excellence Awards
   March 19
   Join Michigan Defense Trial Counsel for Legal Excellence Awards 2020. It will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at The Gem Theatre, 333 Madison Ave. in Detroit. The evening will include a strolling dinner, an open bar, the presentations of four esteemed legal awards, (Excellence in Defense Award, Judicial Award, the Golden Gavel Young Lawyer Award and the Inaugural John P. Jacobs Appellate Advocacy Award.), red carpet closeups, great fellowship and opportunities to network. The cost to attend is $85 for an MDTC member, $170 for a member and guest, $100 for a non-member, and no cost for judiciary. Visit https://www.mdtc.org/ for a registration form to mail with a check, and a link to EventBrite to register online. Note that refunds must be done through the MDTC directly and not through EventBrite.
   
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   To include your event in  “Mark the Date,” send information to bcox@legalnews.com