Ypsilanti Bar Association is all about the monthly dinner

By Jo Mathis

Legal News

Defense attorney Michael Vincent is an active member of the Ypsilanti Bar Association. But that's not saying much.

The YBA has no dues. No officers. No awards. No surveys.

It really doesn't offer much of anything but a monthly get-together at Haab's restaurant in downtown Ypsilanti.

And that's just the point.

"I love it!" says Vincent, taking a taste of gazpacho, which he claims Haab's makes better than anyone.

What does he love? The Ypsilanti Bar Association or the soup?

"Both!"

Vincent isn't much for formality. So the fact that the YBA has absolutely no requirements about anything sits well with him.

"And best of all--no awards!" said Vincent.

Retired District Court Judge John Collins has been attending the YBA monthly dinners for many years--ever since the late Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge James R. Breakey hosted the dinners for a handful of people at the old Huron Hotel downtown. He also invited every member of the Washtenaw County Bar Association--including all two of the female members--to his house once a year for dinner.

The group has grown from there, but the philosophy is still the same: Keep it simple.

Each third Wednesday of the month, a new trio of attorneys pays the entire bill at Haab's.

"When it's your turn to pay, your real friends stay home," quipped Collins.

Published: Thu, Jul 12, 2012

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