OCBA UPDATE: Our well-oiled machine

By Peter Alter We all know that the OCBA is a well-oiled machine. But what makes the OCBA run so smoothly? Some say it's because of the dedicated board members; others claim it's because of the great staff led by our indefatigable Executive Director Lisa Stadig Elliot; and yet others believe it's because of the dedicated members of the bench who so actively and enthusiastically participate in OCBA activities. Well, really, it's because of all of the above. But it's also because of our outstanding committees led by our very able and dedicated committee chairs and vice-chairs who are focused not only on the success of the OCBA, but also on the service of their respective committees. There are about 30 committees in all ranging from the Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee, to the Circuit Court Committee, to the Family Court Committee, to the New Lawyers Committee, to the Public Service Projects Committee. Of course, the success of our committees is a result of much sustained hard work. It begins with the selection of a committee chair who has demonstrated special capabilities of administration and a high degree of expertise in the area of law in which his/her committee is involved. Shortly before Labor Day, we invited all of the OCBA committee chairs and vice-chairs to a special orientation and training session that took place at the Birmingham Community House. With 52 participants, it was the most well-attended and successful Chair/Vice-Chair Orientation program that we've ever held. Each of the chairs and vice-chairs learned about recruitment of committee members, the importance of preparing agendas for committee meetings and making sure that each of the meetings is well-paced. That means: keep meetings to one hour, encourage participation, promote substantive actions and stimulate future attendance. It seems to be working extremely well. We also encouraged out-of-the-box thinking by our committees - and emphasized that just because "that's the way we've always done it" does not mean that you must continue to do it the same way. The OCBA committees operate rather autonomously, but do report to the OCBA board for needed approvals. That's why every committee has an OCBA board member liaison who helps the committee navigate issues of importance, including issues that may be presented to the board. Each liaison is expected to attend at least one meeting quarterly of the committees to which he/she is a liaison. Since there are 30 committees and about 15 board members, you can do the math. Over the years, the interaction between the OCBA board liaisons and the committees has proved invaluable. Importantly, each committee also appoints one of its members as a liaison to the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Committee. This process assures input from the committees on all of the CLE Committee activities. This committee promotes the educational and professional needs of OCBA members, including addressing issues of ethical concern to lawyers. In recent years, CLE Committee activities have included its centerpiece program, "Introduction to Practice"; and "May It Please The Court," a session with district, circuit and appellate court judges. In addition, each OCBA committee appoints a legislative liaison to represent his/her committee at the Legislative Committee meetings. The activities of the Legislative Committee often involve some of the most important issues addressed by the OCBA. In fact, it is clear that, as a result of substantial efforts undertaken by the OCBA as part of our strategic planning process, we are being called upon by members of the Michigan Legislature and, increasingly, we "have a seat" at important meetings and discussions regarding substantive legislative developments that affect lawyers in general and the community at large. For example, recent proposed legislation, HB4672 and HB4673, relating to important distinctions between "separate" property and "marital" property in a divorce, was introduced. The proposed legislation sought to significantly modify long-established Michigan law. With the critical assistance of OCBA member Sandy Glazier, working with Legislative Committee Chairs Shel Larky and Rich Poling Jr., the OCBA had substantial input in revisions that were made to the proposed legislation. Because of some "emergency" timing issues, the OCBA executive board - working closely with Lisa Stadig Elliot, the Family Court Committee, and the Legislative Committee, along with Sandy Glazier - was able to react quickly and make a real difference in the direction that the legislation took. Of course, this is but one example of how effectively and efficiently our OCBA committees work - and work together. All of us at the OCBA extend our special thanks and appreciation to all of our committee chairs and vice-chairs for their very hard work, their dedication and their continued support of the OCBA and our numerous committees. We look forward to a very productive year of committee activities. Simply, we couldn't do it without you - and without the hundreds of OCBA committee members who help make the OCBA the well-oiled machine that it is. Thank you! * * * As promised, there is another "unsung hero" who deserves a special shout-out this month for his sustained efforts in handling pro bono cases. He is Don McGinnis. Yes, this is the same Don McGinnis who was the OCBA president from 2005 to 2006. Not only was Don an integral part of establishing the Family Law Assistance Project (FLAP) a number of years ago, but for many years, he has been and continues to be a consistent supporter of the program. Recently, Don contributed substantial amounts of his time - more than 60 hours - and shared his expertise in a hotly contested divorce case that he successfully tried. The case, involving custody of a minor child, raised significant custody and parenting issues, which compelled Don to try the case before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Pezzetti. Congratulations to Don McGinnis for his outstanding efforts. As always, please feel free to give Lisa Stadig Elliot, our Executive Director, a telephone call or send her an email and let her know that you would like to find a way to get involved in one of our pro-bono programs. It will be a rewarding and gratifying experience. ------------ Peter M. Alter, a partner in the Southfield office of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss, is the 79th president of the Oakland County Bar Association. Published: Tue, Oct 25, 2011