Daily Briefs (May 10)

Cooley associate professor named chair of selection panel
The Thomas M. Cooley Law School announced today that Associate Professor Alan Gershel has been named chair of the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the Eastern District of Michigan.

As chair of the eight-member panel, Gershel will be responsible for leading a team of attorneys and community members who will evaluate the work of Executive Magistrate Judge R. Steven Whalen, whose term expires on Sept. 10. Eleanor Josaitis, co-founder of Focus: HOPE, will serve as vice chair of the committee.

The evaluation is the first step in the reappointment process for a magistrate judge. The selection committee will then make a recommendation to a group of 21 district court judges for the Eastern District of Michigan. The group of judges will vote on the reappointment.

“It is an honor to be selected for this position by Chief Judge Gerald Rosen,” Gershel said. “Magistrate judges expedite the district court process and are a crucial component of our justice system.”

Professor Gershel joined the full-time faculty at Cooley Law School in 2008 where he teaches criminal law, criminal procedure and evidence. Before his tenure at Cooley, Gershel served the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit for nearly 30 years. He most recently served as chief of the Criminal Division from 1989-2008.

WSU Law Alumni Association’s Women in the Law Super Panel
The Wayne State University Law Alumni Association (LAA) will host the Women in the Law Super Panel Discussion from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, in the Law School’s Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium. There will be a light reception following the panel discussion. The event is free and open to the public. Register at http://events.wayne.edu/rsvp/2010womeninlaw/#rsvp. For additional information, call the Wayne Law Development and Alumni Relations Office at (313) 577-3113.

Groundbreaking for Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights May 17
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights Center will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 17 at Wayne State University Law School. Attendees and  speakers include  Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States; A. Alfred Taubman; Edsel B. Ford II; The Hon. Damon J. Keith; WSU Board of Governors members; WSU President Jay Noren; and Wayne Law Dean Robert M. Ackerman.

The Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights honors the life and legacy of Judge Keith by carrying out his vision for civil rights. The 10,000-square-foot Keith Center building will feature an exhibit area, meeting space, conference space and a 60-person lecture hall.

The event is free and open to the public. Alumni, students and friends should RSVP at http://specialevents.wayne.edu/djkgroundbreaking

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