Calendar
July 2026
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July 10
Mark the Date
‘Mastering Vocational Expert Testimony’ offered online
July 10
The National Business Institute will present a live video webinar on “Mastering Vocational Expert Testimony” Friday, July 10, from noon to 1 p.m.
This course provides essential strategies to master vocational expert (VE) testimony. From strategic selection and meticulous report review to incisive cross-examination, attendees will learn how to effectively leverage and challenge vocational expert opinions to strengthen legal arguments in disability, personal injury, and employment law cases.
Topics to be covered in the webinar include:
• Vocational Evaluation Process and Expert Qualifications
• VE Methodologies, Depending on the Purpose of the Examination
• What Government Agencies (SSA, RRB, EEOC) Look for in a VE Report
• What Data and Resources Experts Rely on Most Heavily
• VE Reports: What's Included, How to Analyze Them
• Cross-Examining Vocational Experts
Cost for the webinar, which includes course book download, is $199. To register, call 1-800-930-6182 or visit www.nbi-sems.com.
‘2026 Election Law and Procedure Webinar’ offered by MJI
July 10
The Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) will present a “2026 Election Law and Procedure Webinar” Friday, July 10, from noon to 1 p.m.
The webinar’s faculty will review common legal issues arising from elections as well as litigation issues typically raised on Election Day; the guiding authorities for responding to those issues; and the manner in which the issues are likely to come before the court. In addition, faculty will discuss the relevant law to guide judges in handling potential new areas of litigation that may arise following the 2026 Election.
This program is eligible for continuing judicial education (CJE) credit: [1.0 Judicial Practice & Related Areas].
To register for the webinar, visit https://mjieducation.mi.gov and click on “events.”
National ABOTA Summer Conference hosted in Detroit
July 10-11
The American Board of Trial Advocates will conduct its 2026 National ABOTA Summer Conference & National Board Meeting Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, in Detroit. ABOTA is thrilled to welcome members to The Westin Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington Boulevard in Detroit.
During the two days, several events and programs will take place including:
• ABOTA Speaker Series at the Henry Ford Museum
• Evening Reception at the Henry Ford Museum
• National ABOTA Board Meeting
• Walking Tour – Downtown Detroit
• A-Boat-A River Rendezvous
• Cocktail Reception, Dinner, Awards, & Dancing
All attendees are required to pay the ABOTA registration fee and are welcome to attend all programming and social events. Programming listed as “Optional Events” require an additional fee listed on the registration.
For additional information or to register, visit www.abota.org and click on “Events.”
Family Treatment Court focus of online discussion
July 13
The Michigan Judicial Institute will continue its “Michigan Family Treatment Court Community of Practice (CoP) Series” hosted by Problem-Solving Courts (PSC) online Wednesday and Monday, July 13, from 11 a.m to noon.
These Family Treatment Court Community of Practice Series (FTC CoP) provide opportunities for cross-system, peer-to-peer networking and learning. FTC teams are encouraged to participate in sharing barriers they are experiencing, gaining knowledge on pertinent topics, offering support through challenges, and brainstorming solutions.
To register for the online program, visit, https://cvent.me/bLzadE. For additional registration information, contact PSC@courts. mi.gov.
‘Young Dads in the Juvenile Justice System’ focus of webinar
July 14
The Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) will present a webinar on “Supporting Young Dads in the Juvenile Justice System” Tuesday, July 14, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
This webinar focuses on youth who become fathers while involved in the juvenile justice system. It explores how the father-child connection can be a protective factor, why young fathers’ families should be included in aftercare planning, and how juvenile justice professionals can better identify, engage, and support young dads and their children.
In this webinar, the speakers will discuss several key topics, including:
• How fatherhood can serve as a protective factor, and how policies and practices within juvenile justice settings can either strengthen or unintentionally weaken family connections.
• Challenging common misconceptions about teenage fathers and exploring how juvenile justice professionals can support youth who are fathers.
• Opportunities for courts, probation departments, and residential facilities to create pathways that recognize and support fatherhood as part of a youth’s development and case planning process.
Following the presentation, there will be an additional one-hour facilitated conversation with Nichols Dean and Kahili Richardson, two young fathers with experience becoming fathers while incarcerated and while on probation through the juvenile justice system.
Attendees will have an opportunity to engage directly with the speakers through questions and discussion, providing a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from young fathers whose experiences are often missing from policy and practice conversations.
The intended audience for the webinar includes juvenile probation officers, caseworkers and staff providing ancillary services to court-involved youth.
To register, visit https://mjieducation.mi.gov and click on “events.” Once the registration is accepted, a link to join the webinar will be sent out.
Lunch & Learn hosted at Oakland County Courthouse
July 15
The Jewish Bar Association of Michigan (JBAM) will conduct a Lunch & Learn event Wednesday, July 15, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Judicial Conference Room of the Oakland County Circuit Court, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd. in Pontiac.
Hosted by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Lorie Savin, the program will feature Rabbi Caytak who will share inspiring insights relevant to attorneys’ professional and spiritual lives. Kosher lunch will be provided free of charge courtesy of Steve Reina.
To register for the Lunch & Learn, visit www.jewishbar.org and click on “events.”
Section conducts Summer Conference at Grand Hotel
July 15-18
The Real Property Law Section (RPLS) of the State Bar of Michigan will conduct its 2026 Summer Conference Wednesday through Saturday, July 15-18, at the iconic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
This year’s conference coincides with two historic milestones—Grand Hotel’s 140th season and America’s 250th anniversary. Against this extraordinary backdrop, attendees will gather to examine the legal, economic, and practical developments transforming real property law across the state and beyond.
Conference co-chairs Kelly Myers (Myers & Myers, PLLC) and Clarence Stone (Michigan State Housing Development Authority) have curated a robust, three-day educational program for real estate professionals at every stage of their careers.
The conference features a mix of plenary presentations, hands-on workshops, and small-group roundtable discussions, allowing attendees to tailor their experience to their practice interests and experience level. Programming will address timely and practical topics, including land use and development in historically sensitive communities, title and survey standards, valuation issues, real estate litigation strategies, environmental due diligence, affordable housing initiatives, market and development trends, and the structuring of complex, multi-state transactions.
In addition to legal education, the conference includes a comprehensive State of the Law update and numerous opportunities for interactive discussion and peer engagement. Attendees can also enjoy a full array of recreational and social activities, including Wednesday and Thursday cocktail receptions, and a fun-filled Thursday evening that includes face painting for kids, the Section dinner, and dueling pianos that will conclude the evening.
Cost for the conference is $530 for section members, $590 for non-section members, and $325 for members of the Young Lawyers Section.
To register, visit https://connect.michbar.org/realproperty/home. For additional information, call Karen Schwartz at 248-933-0835 or email rplsks@gmail.com.
‘Membership Maximizer’ offered by OCB
July 16
The Oakland County Bar Association will host an “OCBA Membership Maximizer” on Thursday, July 16, from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. at the OCBA offices, 1760 S. Telegraph Rd., Suite 100, in Bloomfield Hills.
Guests can start their day with fellow OCBA members and discover the full benefits of OCBA membership. Attendees can enjoy light morning refreshments and networking while learning how the OCBA can enhance one’s professional journey.
Staff members will provide a brief overview of how to maximize engagement with the OCBA and guide attendees on accessing OCBA’s tools and resources.
This event is free to members and first-time guests. To register, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.” Anyone with questions can contact Katie Tillinger at 248-334-3400.
‘Membership Maximizer’ offered by OCBA
July 16
The Oakland County Bar Association will host an “OCBA Membership Maximizer” on Thursday, July 16, from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. at the OCBA offices, 1760 S. Telegraph Rd., Suite 100, in Bloomfield Hills.
Guests can start their day with fellow OCBA members and discover the full benefits of OCBA membership. Attendees can enjoy light morning refreshments and networking while learning how the OCBA can enhance one’s professional journey.
Staff members will provide a brief overview of how to maximize engagement with the OCBA and guide attendees on accessing OCBA’s tools and resources.
This event is free to members and first-time guests. To register, visit www.ocba.org and click on “events.” Anyone with questions can contact Katie Tillinger at 248-334-3400.
‘Bash at the Beach’ hosted July 16 in Detroit
July 16
The Diversity Committee of the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association will host a “Bash at the Beach” on Thursday, July 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Campus Martius Park’s BrisaBar, 800 Woodward Ave. in downtown Detroit
All attorneys, law clerks, and interns are welcome. Appetizers will be available along with one free drink per person.
There is no registration necessary to attend. Anyone with questions may email Ki Lee Kilgore at atkkilgore@foley.com.
‘Diversion and Consent Calendar’ focus of online discussion
July 21
The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan’s Juvenile Justice & School Safety Training Project will present the webinar “In the Lunchroom with Juvenile Justice: Diversion and Consent Calendar” on Tuesday, July 21, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
After a short presentation on diversion and consent calendar, an open discussion time will allow participants to bring their questions and concerns while sharing their knowledge and experience. Questions may be emailed in advance to Karen Field at fieldk@mipaam .org.
There is no charge to attend but advance registration is required. To register, prosecutors and APAs should visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.”
Attorney to speak on ‘Insurance Issues for Human Resources Professionals’
July 21
Maddin Hauser continues its Breakfast Bites: Employment Law Series with “Insurance Issues for Human Resources Professionals” presented Tuesday, July 21, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in-person at One Towne Square, Fifth Floor, in Southfield, and online via Zoom.
Speaking at the program will be Kathleen H. Klaus, shareholder and member of the firm’s Executive Committee who joined Maddin’s Professional Liability Defense and Insurance Coverage group in 2004. She specializes in complex professional liability defense (including lawyers, accountants, and insurance agents), employment defense, class action defense, and appellate cases. A frequent speaker at trade and professional organizations, Klaus has shared her knowledge on various topics including the application of the federal RICO statute and handling insurance claims procedures.
For additional information or to register for either the webinar or in-person seminar, visit https://maddinhauser.com and click on “events.”
‘Emerging Drug Trends in Michigan’ explored in webinar
July 23
The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan’s Traffic Safety Training Program (TSTP) will present a webinar on “Emerging Drug Trends in Michigan 2026” Thursday, July 23, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
With so many new drugs on the rise, and so many old drugs that have never really gone away, it can be hard to keep track of what are the latest drug trends in the State of Michigan. The Michigan State Police Seized Drug Laboratories are at the forefront of this constant battle to determine Michigan’s ever-evolving, current drug trends.
This webinar which will cover:
• Facts about drugs that are on the streets in Michigan versus what the media portrays;
• The prevalence of polydrug use in Michigan;
• How the drugs available in Michigan cities vary significantly by region of the state.
The program will by presented by Elaine Dougherty, forensic scientist, Michigan State Police Bridgeport Laboratory. The webinar is designed for law enforcement, prosecutors, and assistant prosecutors.
To register for the webinar, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.”
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