By Roberta M. Gubbins
Legal News
Hon. Thomas S. Eveland, Hon. Paula J. Manderfield and Hon Calvin E. Osterhaven were honored by the Ingham County Bar Foundation (ICBF) at the Judges’ Retirement Party on the evening of February 21st. The dinner was held at the Marriott East Lansing.
The evening began with the presentation of resolutions and gifts to each of the Judges by David Lick and Susan LeDuc followed by the Invocation, given by Hon. Clinton Canady, 30th Circuit Court. Michael Cavanaugh, Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap PC, served as Master of Ceremonies.
Judge Eveland was the first to be honored.
“Judge Eveland,” said Maurice Schoenberger, long time friend and fellow graduate of University of Michigan College of Law, “has a genuine caring for others,” as exhibited by his many contributions to the community including participation in the Meals on Wheels program for 21 years and acting as co-founder of the SMILE Program (seminar for divorcing parents) of the 56th Circuit Court.
Judge Randy L. Tahvonen added, “Judge Eveland has a passion for people. He is a remarkable judge because he is an extraordinary man.”
“I am deeply honored for being recognized for my 24 years on the bench,” said Judge Eveland, taking the podium following a standing ovation.
Judge Hugh Clarke, Jr. and David Mittleman spoke on behalf of Judge Paula Manderfield.
“I was always comfortable in Judge Manderfield’s court,” said Judge Clark, “I knew if she wasn’t sure, she would hit the books” before making her decision.
Mittleman described Judge Manderfield in four words, “courageous, tenacious, independent and family. She was a great judge.”
Judge Manderfield thanked everyone for the honor and said that “while I miss my heated parking spot,” I am pleased to “go back to the helping part of practicing law.” Judge Manderfield is now a shareholder at Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, PC, where she will concentrate her practice on mediation.
Hon. Janice K. Cunningham who replaced retiring Judge Calvin E. Osterhaven, 56th Circuit Court, the third honoree for the evening, commented on how Judge Osterhaven cared about the people. “He started the Drug Court model in Eaton County that we can follow and emulate.”
Her thoughts were echoed by Chris A. Bergstrom, who said that Judge Osterhaven had “served the citizens of Eaton County well.”
Judge Osterhaven thanked all for attending the event and the recognition given to him and the other Judges.
Hon. Sara Smolenski, Chief Judge 63rd District Court, Sheila McCoy and Sarah Wallace, McCoy Law PLLC, entertained the audience. Judge Smolenski, who has been on the bench for 23 years, kept the audience laughing with tales of the more amusing weddings over which she has officiated. McCoy and Wallace, mother and daughter, sang a medley of songs, accompanied by Takis Pizanis on the piano.
The mission of the ICBF is to promote access to justice, expand the availability of legal services to the public at large, support local charitable organizations, promote continuing legal education and foster the honor and integrity of the profession of law. The proceeds from the dinner will be used to support that mission.
Grants from ICBF have been awarded to numerous organizations throughout Ingham County including:
• EVE,Inc. (End Violent Encounters, Inc.)
• Ingham county Bar Association
• Legal Services of South Central Michigan
• St. Vincent Catholic Charities
• 30th Circuit Court, Family Division, Family Dependency Treatment Court (FDTC)
• Ingham County Veterans Treatment Court
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Michigan Capital Region
Sponsors for the event included Abood Law Firm, Bailey Smith & Bailey PC, Baird & Zulakis, Church Wyble PC, Dickinson Wright PLLC, Farhat & Story PC, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC, Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap PC, Loomis Ewert Parsley Davis & Gotting PC, Sinas Dramis Brake Boughton & McIntyre PC, and Willingham & Coté PC. Other contributors were Hackney Grover Hoover & Bean PLC and Robin L. Omer PLLP.
Law firms with 100% membership in the ICBF are: Dickinson Wright, PLLC, Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes, PLC, Farhat & Story,PC, Knages Harter Brake & Schneider,PC, Nolan Thomsen & Villas, PC, and Willingham & Coté PC.
For more information or to donate to ICBF, please contact at info@icb-foundation.org. or call 517-627-8700.
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