March 2021 Newsletter - Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan
Happy Spring! 
Emerging from the winter hibernation, getting out in the warm weather, and admiring the blooms peek through the soil, the fans of spring are rejoicing in its return. Spring represents the infusion of life and hope, two things that are extremely important to Court as it begins again to resume more operations such as jury trials. Hopefully, this edition of the newsletter inspires you to put a spring in your step.
It's been over seven decades since the first woman Judge, Lila Neuenfelt, joined the 3rd Circuit Court. Since that time we have had a number of judges who helped position the court leadership and made a multitude of contributions in the community and society at large. At this time we now have 32 women judges. And during Women's History Month, we recognize and celebrate the women judges of the 3rd Circuit Court.
CIVIL DIVISION

Honorable Patricia P. Fresard, Presiding Judge
Honorable Annette J. Berry
Honorable Sheila Ann Gibson
Honorable Dana M. Hathaway
Honorable Susan L. Hubbard
Honorable Muriel D. Hughes
Honorable Qiana Denise Lillard
Honorable Lita M. Popke
Honorable Leslie Kim Smith
Honorable Martha M. Snow
Family Division - Domestic Relations

Honorable Kathleen M. McCarthy, Presiding Judge
Honorable Melissa A. Cox
Honorable Charlene M. Elder
Honorable Alexis A. Glendening
Honorable Mary Beth Kelly
Honorable Lisa M. Neilson
Honorable Lynne A. Pierce
Honorable Carla G. Testani
Criminal Division

Honorable Chandra W. Baker
Honorable Mariam Bazzi
Honorable Wanda A. Evans
Honorable Tracy E. Green
Honorable Bridget Mary Hathaway
Honorable Catherine L. Heise
Honorable Kelly A. Ramsey
Honorable Deborah A. Thomas
Honorable Regina D. Thomas
Honorable Margaret M. Van Houten
Honorable Shannon N. Walker
Honorable Darnella D. Williams-Claybourne
Family Division - Juvenile

Honorable Karen Y. Braxton
Honorable Cylenthia LaToye Miller
Detroit Bar Association
The Detroit Bar Association (DBA) Diversity & Inclusion Committee invites you to participate in our 21 in '21 D&I Challenge. The Challenge will focus on 21 activities or practices designed to deepen our collective understanding of diversity and inclusion. The Committee will host interactive quarterly virtual discussions, where members can share their experiences with the activities.
There is no cost for this event, and DBA membership is not required.
More information is available at - https://www.detroitlawyer.org/programs/challenge/
Fun Outdoors

Research shows outdoor activities have increased during this time. In fact, virtual 5K's, marathons, and other outdoor activities have been created to help deal with stress and boredom. We appreciate those who shared their activities with us. If you would like to feature your pic and enjoying the great outdoors or other ways you are channeling your energy in hobbies during this pandemic, please send your photo to ExecutiveCourtAdministrationOffice@3rdcc.org.
Jeannette Heacox, Reba Hooper, Connie Molinaro, and Tanika Taylor enjoyed a beautiful day on Belle Isle running the Zooma International Women's 5k. Zooma Run Club had women represented in all 50 states and in over 20 countries. Congratulations to Reba who finished her first 5k!!
Erin Lincoln and her family enjoyed a recent sledding fun day.
Erin, Adam, Will, Henry and Meredith
Jeannette Heacox enjoyed a sunny day of running.
Jalona Colvard and friends (Tia, Venitress, and Marshawn) enjoyed a weekend of tubing in Traverse City at Timberlee Hill.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Did you know that Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival? Pictured are Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny and Judge Qiana Lillard from the 2018 Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers' St. Patrick's Day Brunch in Corktown.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. More information is available on their website: click here
Court Insights from GenZ with Jordan Taylor

My experience as an intern is showing me that court is not like the robbery court cases that we usually see on TV or in the movies.

The Family-Juvenile Division deals with cases that specifically involve children ages 14-17.
I assumed from watching TV that juvenile delinquency cases were reviewed by a judge then the juveniles were assigned probation for a certain period. But I learned that is not always the case: most cases are more complicated, and many different things are going on in each case.  The court may involve social workers and psychiatrists to ensure the judges have information to understand the juvenile's background. 

Also over the past few weeks, I met with many court executives to learn about the different court departments. Jillian Fitzgerald, the Assistant Friend of the Court, and Lisa Timmons, the Director of the Mediation Tribunal Association, talked about case evaluations, protection orders, and legal and physical custody. I learned how child support was calculated. The child support formula considers parents' income and other variables to calculate the amount the support that is to be paid.
 
The movies and television show us the exciting courtroom scenes and makes the court system seem quick and simple.  I'm learning that is not the case.
The Diversity and Inclusion Calendar
The Third Circuit Court Diversity and Inclusion Team's Mission: "We appreciate our common connection and respect our diverse and unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization as we provide accessible and equal justice."

The Court's Diversity & Inclusion Team strives to ensure the values of its diverse bench, staff, and court users are acknowledged and reflected in our delivery of service as well as our work environment.

In that spirit, the team creates and shares a monthly list of various holidays and observations along with some celebration suggestions. We invite our work community and the community at large to contribute.

APRIL 2021
 
April Fools' Day - April 1
Good Friday - April 2
Easter - April 4
Last Day of Passover - April 4
National Siblings Day – April 10
Hindi New Year - April 12
Ramadan Starts - April 13
Ram Navami - April 21
Earth Day - April 22
Day of Silence - April 23
 
National Arab American Heritage Month
National Autism Awareness Month
National Child Abuse Awareness Month
National Donate Life Awareness Month
National Parkinson's Awareness Month
National Volunteer Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
IN MEMORY OF THOSE WE LOST
Hon. Roland Lawrence Olzark was appointed to Wayne County Circuit Court in 1970 by Governor Milliken. He retired from the bench in 1996 but remained active as a visiting judge and conducted settlement conferences. He graduated from University of Western Ontario with a BA degree and received his law degree from University of Detroit Law School Mercy.  
IN MEMORY OF THOSE WE LOST
In Loving Memory:
Your presence we miss, your memory we treasure, loving you always, forgetting you never.