ABA Legal Fact Check explores legal basis for religious holiday displays in public places
December heralds many religious holidays, including Christmas and Hanukkah, and each year communities across the country struggle with issues stemming from the constitutional tension between holiday expression and religious endorsement. In a new ABA Legal Fact Check, the American Bar Association examines U.S. Supreme Court case law and guidance on this topic.
Consider what the village board in Mundelein, Ill., a suburb about 35 miles northwest of Chicago, faced a few weeks ago. In late summer, a resident asked the board to place a Hanukkah menorah in a public park next to the traditional Christmas tree when erecting the annual holiday display. Village attorney Charles Marino relied on U.S. Supreme Court decisions from three decades ago to provide guidance that a “Christmas tree or a holiday tree is secular” and that a Menorah or creche “is a religious symbol.” The Mundelein Village Board turned down the request.
ABA Legal Fact Check seeks to help the media and public find dependable answers and explanations to swirling and sometimes confusing legal questions. The URL for the new site is www.abalegalfactcheck.com.
MAJ to hold Annual Medical Malpractice Seminar Dec. 8
Join fellow MAJ plaintiff members for the 15th Annual Medical Malpractice Seminar featuring nationally-recognized trial lawyer, Randi McGinn, as the morning speaker on 37 years of experience winning personal injury cases. The Dec. 8 seminar will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with registration starting at 8:30 a.m., at Hyatt Place Detroit/Novi, 46080 Grand River Ave. in Novi. Co-moderators are MAJ Past President Jesse Reiter, Reiter & Walsh PC, Bloomfield Hills & MAJ Past President Judy Susskind, The Thurswell Law Firm, PLLC, Southfield. Other speakers include: MAJ Secretary Donna MacKenzie, Olsman MacKenzie & Wallace, PC, Berkley, “Introduction to Handling the New Medicare Guidelines;” Nick D’Aquilla, Special Counsel, Garretson Resolution Group, Cincinnati, OH, “Handling the New Medicare Guidelines;” Robert Riley, Riley & Hurley PC, Dearborn, “Tips from a Trusted Facilitator;” Mark Granzotto, Mark Granzotto, PC, Berkley, “Updates on Medical Malpractice Law;” and MAJ President Brian McKeen, McKeen & Associates, Detroit, “An Opening Statement that Will Help You Win.” Full-day registration includes lunch. Prices vary from $150 to $275. Register at https://www.michiganjustice.org/.
Up & Coming Lawyers Class of 2017 Awards Luncheon set for Dec. 7
Michigan Lawyers Weekly will host the ninth annual luncheon and awards celebrating Up & Coming Lawyers from at the Detroit Marriott, 200 W. Big Beaver Rd. in Troy. The honorees are legal practitioners who are establishing a name for themselves, go above and beyond, and display the ambition, drive, determination and accomplishments that set them apart among their peers — in their first 10 years in practice. For more information and registration, go to http://milawyersweekly. com/uclawyers/.
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