At a Glance ...

SBM Next Conference set for Grand Rapids

The State Bar of Michigan 2nd Annual NEXT Conference, subtitled, “Come See What’s NEXT For Your Law Practice,” is scheduled Sept. 26-28 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Attendees will hear about the latest technology and practice management innovations. Speakers will focus on new strategies for delivering competitive legal services in the changing marketplace and harness artificial intelligence software to increase productivity.

From conference favorites like Barron Henley and the return of the popular “judicial perspectives” track, to industry icons like CEO of CLIO, Jack Newton, and MyCase’s Nicole Black — attendees will gain valuable practice tips, organizers say.

Early bird rates are available through Aug. 22. Register at www.michbar.org.


Judge: Jurist who presided over Nassar trial to remain

LANSING (AP) — A chief judge says a colleague who sentenced former sports doctor Larry Nassar to prison for molesting women and girls will remain on the case.

Ingham County Circuit Judge Richard Garcia ruled Tuesday in defense of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina's status on Nassar's case. Nassar's appellate lawyers, accuse her of bias during a seven-day hearing in January when roughly 150 victims spoke and say he deserves another hearing.

At sentencing, Aquilina said Nassar deserved cruel punishment if the Constitution would allow it.

Garcia says Aquilina's statements "do not constitute impermissible bias." He added that Nassar apparently wants to be resentenced by a judge "who is ambivalent about the suffering of his victims," and that "standard would disqualify any judge with a pulse."

This month, Aquilina said she wouldn't disqualify herself.


Bear makes unlikely stop at liquor store

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — A bear took a stroll into an unlikely snack venue — a Connecticut liquor store.

The mid-sized creature lumbered across a parking lot in Bristol Monday afternoon, getting close enough to the entrance of Crazy Bruce’s Liquors to trigger a sensor that automatically opened an outer door.

The Hartford Courant reports video from inside shows the bear walking around the foyer while an employee locks an inner door. One unassuming customer also walked into the lobby as an employee unlocked the door and ushered him in.

The bear eventually figured out how to leave, and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was notified.


Firefighter rappels from bridge, rescues stranded dog

PATERSON, N.J. (AP) — A firefighter rappelled from a bridge to rescue a dog stranded at the base of a waterfall.

Paterson firefighters were called to Great Falls on Sunday. Fire Capt. Scott Parkin made his way down to the animal and lured it in with food. Parkin put a net over the dog before it was lifted to safety.

The young pit bull was taken to Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in Oakland, where it was in stable condition.

Parkin says his father rescued a dog from the same spot in 1975. He says he wasn’t worried about the ascent because the fire department’s equipment is “rock solid.”

Authorities aren’t sure how the dog became stranded.

Mayor Andre Sayegh says the rescued pup has been named Paterson.

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