NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2017 
October 2017 Newsletter Headlines
Quote of the Month
The Made Man Honorees

October Quote
If plan "A" fails, you have 25 letters left.
~Author Unknown
 
October's Quote of the Month Winner
Lynda Lopez
Clerk IV/Receptionist - Clinic for Child Study
Ms. Lopez has been employed with the Court for 22 years.

October's Quote of the Month Winner

Dispute Resolution Month
 
Dispute Resolution Month is observed in October; it is a time to promote and celebrate peaceful conflict resolution practices worldwide. Many practitioners work to raise the public awareness of mediation. This month marks the expansion of the $25k mediation pilot. Civil cases that evaluate at $25,000 or less are referred for mediation.  In mediation, a third-party neutral helps parties identify and discuss issues to resolve disputes. Mediation is often less expensive than litigation and parties indicate long-term satisfaction. To find out more about mediation, contact the Mediation Tribunal Association at (313) 224-5606.
 


WHAT'S NEXT?
 
Third Circuit Court Judges and attorneys had the opportunity to attend and take part in the State Bar of Michigan's NEXT Conference.  The conference brought together Michigan lawyers from every area in the state and it focused on the future of law practice.  Third Circuit Court was well represented. Judge Kelly Ramsey was honored as a Champion Justice at the Awards Dinner on Wednesday night.   Judge Lita M. Popke and Judge Deborah Thomas lent their expertise and served as panelists.  At the Family Section's Annual Meeting, Judge Richard Halloran passed the baton of leadership to Friend of the Court Kent Weichmann.   Referees Anita Scott Miesel, Michelle Letourneau-McAvoy, and Hulen Simpson were spotted in the crowded room.  Then Chief Judge Colombo and many of the judges closed Thursday evening networking at the Women Lawyers' Association and the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board's Punch Bowl Social gathering.  There was education and entertainment.  What's Next? In 2018, the annual conference will be in Grand Rapids and all attorneys across the state should be there.
Learning more about  Judge Kei 
and Japan


Judge Kei celebrated his birthday October 15, 2017.  He celebrated by running a half marathon in the Detroit Free Press Marathon.  He also shared a treat called Jaga Pirika with the Chief Judge and Court Administration staff.  "Pirika" means cute.  Jaga Pirika has white, orange, and purple cube potatoes prepared like potato chips. These tasty treats are grown in Hokkaido, the second largest island in Japan.  Happy Birthday Judge Kei and thanks for the tasty snacks!
 



Judge Mariam Saad Bazzi hosted the WLAM-Wayne Wine and Garden Party at the Park Shelton on September 21st.


                  
Join our E-mail List and receive our monthly E-mail newsletter from the Third Judicial Circuit Court and stay informed. 

Please send us your name and email address to - 
3cce-news@3rdcc.org

Greetings, 

Recent global events underscore the need for a season of gratitude and kindness. However, what's apparent is we cannot reserve gratitude and kindness for a single season or a few holidays. They are needed daily and in every facet of what we do. So let's start now in October and begin with family, friends, and coworkers to show our appreciation. "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ..." Aesop

Dedication of the October 2017 Newsletter
 
In the upcoming weeks, the Court will be distributing bounded copies of its strategic plan. So it's fitting to dedicate this month's newsletter to all who have played a part in creating the plan and all who are working on the various initiatives.
 
It is the Court's mission to provide accessible and equal justice with timely dispute resolution.
 
It is the Court's vision that as a national leader in court performance and the administration of justice, the Court is recognized for:
  • Using innovative and best practices;
  • Building trust and confidence in the judicial branch; and
  • Providing exemplary public service, programs, and work environment including professional facilities and effective technology. 
Our judges and court staff endeavor to embody and practice the core values to be fair, proactive, responsive, user-friendly, and collaborative as we go about our work.
 
Thank you to our judges, court staff, partners, stakeholders, court users, and public for your input and feedback. Because of you, we not only have a vision to deliver high quality judicial services, we have a plan.
Federal Bar State of the Court Luncheon



Chief Judge Denise Page Hood graciously extended an invitation to the Third Circuit Court to attend the October 4, 2017 State of the Court Luncheon.  Judge Keisuke Koizumi, the visiting Judge from Japan, and Executive Court Administrator Zenell B. Brown attended, met many of the federal judges for the Eastern District of Michigan, and enjoyed Chief Judge Page Hood's keynote address.  The Eastern District of Michigan Court ranks first in the Sixth Circuit for its 4,574 civil filings and 18th in the nation. The Clerk's Office will hire a pro se case administrator to assist pro se filers.  In January 2018, the Federal Court will commence its joint venture with the University of Detroit Mercy Law School to provide a Pro Se Clinic.  The Federal Bar debuted its first FedTalk, modeled after TEDTalk, which shared tips to ensure attorneys practiced successfully.  The Luncheon was packed with useful information and great company.
Michigan Family Support Council Conference



In early October, over 30 Friend of the Court Managers, Supervisors and staff members attended the Michigan Family Support Council Fall Conference at Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan.  Child support workers from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support, Prosecutor's Offices and Friends of the Court from all over the State of Michigan come to this event for professional development, networking, and fun in an effort to further the child support program. Wayne County Friend of the Court staff were able to attend sessions on topics ranging from intergovernmental cases to calculating child support to leadership.  Staff enjoyed the Keynote speaker, Linda Larsen, who used humor to discuss how to remain positive in an often stressful field.  Staff also were able to hear about the Office of Child Support's new Strategic Plan from Director Erin Frisch, and remarks from the Commissioner of the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, Scott Lekan.
 
Friend of the Court Supervisor, Lisa Robinson, was honored during the Conference with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Lisa has spent over 30 years as a public servant with the Court and 20 plus some of those years were spent with the Friend of the Court.  Not only has Lisa helped the Friend of the Court office navigate many changes throughout her career as supervisor, she also finds time to serve on the Michigan Family Support Council Regional and State Boards. In addition to that, she is involved with various community organizations. And in her spare time, when she is not serving the people of Wayne County, she is a keeper of bees.  The Court congratulates Lisa on this well-deserved award!


Special Shout Out to our Cass Tech Attorney Mentors


 


The Court would like to thank the attorney mentors who assisted with the Community Connections program that the Supreme Court held at Cass Tech High School on October 25th, Nicole Brown; Erika Lorraine Davis; Mark Hindelang; Denise Lewis; Tara Mathena; Robyn Mc Coy; Linda Perkins; Andre Poplar; Toni Raheem; Marlena Taylor; Rita Young; Wolverine Bar Association; Women's Black Lawyers Association; Wayne County Prosecutor's Office; Honigman, Miller, Schwartz & Cohn; and Third Circuit Court General Counsel.
 
"I have been given so many wonderful blessings and opportunities, that giving back, volunteering, and providing a helping hand to the community must always remain a focus in my life."  Attorney Andre Poplar, Third Circuit Court General Counsel.
 
"I cherish the opportunity to engage with and help educate our youth about the legal system." Attorney Robyn L. McCoy, Educational Advocacy Unit of the Michigan Children's Law Center.



On Tuesday, October 17th, Hon. Edward Ewell, Jr. and Hon. Craig Strong were honored at The Made Man, which arrived in Detroit, MI to honor over 30 African American male leaders and inspire, educate, and suit underserved men. Honorees participated in a day long series of activities including mentorship and workshops, a suit for success clothing drive, and an honoree press conference and reception at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.