Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of a pair of attorneys to two state boards.

Colonel Jason Evans, a resident of Mason, was named to the State of Michigan Retirement Board. A judge advocate in the Michigan Army National Guard, Evans also serves as the division chief for the Corporate Oversight Division in the Michigan Department of the Attorney General. Evans holds a bachelor of arts in business administration from Michigan State University and a juris doctor from the former Detroit College of Law, now known as MSU College of Law. He served in Afghanistan with the Army National Guard from 2010-11 and received a Bronze Star, an award signifying combat valor. He is appointed to a term on the board that runs until December 31, 2026, succeeding Felipe Karian-Torres, who has resigned. The State Retirement Board provides oversight of the three systems that service nearly 88,000 active and retired employees.

Attorney Steve Birenbaum of Birmingham has been reappointed to the State 9-1-1 Committee, and will serve a term that expires December 31, 2027. Berenbaum is the director of regulatory relations for AT&T. He holds a bachelor of science, a master of business administration, and a juris doctor from Wayne State University. The 9-1-1 Committee and its 21 member organizations work to promote the successful development, implementation, and operation of 9-1-1 systems around the state.

Judges, coach featured in ‘Devil in the Details’ Jan. 8

The Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association will present its third event in its Women’s Series with “Devil in the Details” on Thursday, January 08, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the offices of Warner Norcross + Judd, 2715 Woodward Ave., suite 300, in Detroit.

It’s often the small things that make the biggest impact. “Devil in the Details” offers an interactive afternoon/evening featuring “Your Benchmark Coach” Elizabeth Jolliffe and a lineup of many local female District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and magistrate judges.  Jolliffe will kick off the program with strategies for recognizing the details that can elevate—or detract from—a practice.  Attendees will then break into small, judge-led discussion groups to explore practical topics including:

• Professional Demeanor

• General Communication

• Zoom Meetings & Virtual Courtroom Presence

• Dress & Appearance

The registration fee includes all programming along with food and wine.  Cost is $49 for members and $68 for non-members and guests.  To register, visit https://edmibar.org and click on “events.”

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