At a Glance

Nominations sought for MDTC award

The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel is accepting nominations for the 7th Annual Young Lawyers Section Golden Gavel Award, which will be presented next June during the MDTC Awards Banquet at the Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa in Thompsonville.

Attorneys are invited to submit a nomination, with particular emphasis on the enumerated criteria.

Letters of recommendation from any source the supports the candidate are welcome.

Candidates need not be a current member of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel. However, each must be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan, and serve as defense counsel.

The deadline for nominations is Thursday, January 10, 2013. For a nomination form, visit www.mdtc.org or e-mail info@mdtc.org.

Group files lawsuit over DIA admission fees

DETROIT (AP) — Five Macomb County residents have filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Institute of Arts over the museum’s vow not to charge admission fees to area residents after voters approved a special millage in August.

Leaders of the cultural institution said at the time that the 10-year millage passed by voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties would provide financial stability and permit it to offer free admission to residents of the three counties.

The DIA is charging a fee for admission to its current “Faberge: The Rise and Fall” special exhibition.

The five plaintiffs filed suit in Macomb County Circuit Court, saying the museum violated its contractual promise to provide “unlimited, free museum admission.”
 

Man with suspended license wins appeal

DEARBORN (AP) — The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a Detroit-area man who fought a conviction of driving with a suspended license.

Kazem Hammoud was stopped by Dearborn police for failing to use a signal while making a right-hand turn. He told police that his license had been suspended, and he was subsequently charged with that crime. But at trial, prosecutors didn’t present evidence that Hammoud was formally notified of the suspension.

The appeals court ruled recently that Hammoud’s conviction must be thrown out and he can’t be charged again. He had been sentenced to 30 days in jail.

The three judges on the appeals panel were Kathleen Jansen, Stephen Borrello and Jane Beckering.

Ex-mayor strikes out in lawsuit against Flint

FLINT (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit by Flint’s former mayor who claims the city is acting illegally if it wants him to cover part of a $3.8 million arbitration award for dozens of police officers.

Federal Judge Avern Cohn says federal court is not the right venue for Don Williamson’s dispute with Flint. Cohn also says he sees no evidence that Flint has asked the ex-mayor to chip in.

When he was mayor, Williamson created a special police bureau with five officers. Officers who weren’t picked said they were victims of racial discrimination.

While dismissing Williamson’s suit, Cohn criticized Flint for not fully challenging the arbitration award, which has grown with interest. The judge says it appears excessive.

Williamson resigned in 2009 while facing a recall election.

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