Judges in Detroit bankruptcy case to start mediation service

DETROIT (AP) - Two federal judges associated with Detroit's Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy case are starting an office of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services in downtown Detroit this spring.

The Detroit News recently reported that Steven Rhodes, who presided over the landmark bankruptcy case as a federal judge, will start the office with his former colleague, Gerald Rosen, a U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of Michigan and a former mediator in the bankruptcy case, and Miller, Canfield, Paddock, & Stone attorney Clarence "Rocky" Pozza.

Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services is an international organization that provides such services for lawyers and parties involved in a lawsuit who are contemplating legal action.

Rhodes left the federal bench in 2015 and serves as Detroit Public Schools' transition manager through the end of the year.

"I have been doing a little bit of mediation and arbitration since I left the bench in 2015 and I really enjoy the work and I've been reasonably successful in helping people resolve their issues," Rhodes said.

Rhodes said the new position appealed to him because it offers great flexibility and it's a way for him to provide services to the community. He expects the office to open in April.

Published: Tue, Nov 01, 2016