MDTC Section Chairs

 

Appellate Practice

Amanda Waske
Grant Jaskulski

Commercial Litigation

David F. Hansma
Myles J. Baker
Salina M. Hamilton

General Liability

Anthony D. Pignotti

In-House Counsel Section

D. Lee Khachaturian
Frank Penzato

Immigration Law

Ahndia Mansoori

Insurance Law

​Olivia M. Paglia
Samantha Boyd

Labor & Employment

Nicholas A. Huguelet
Adrienne L. Hayes, Esq.

Law Practice Management

Fred J. Fresard

Municipal & Governmental Liability Section

Robyn J. Brooks
Matthew J. Zalewski

Professional Liability & Health Care

Kevin M. Lesperance
Daniel J. Ferris
Jack R. Ottenwess

Public Policy Committee

Zachary Larson, Chair
Irene Hathaway
John Mucha, III

Trial Practice

Randall Juip
Renee Townsend

Young Lawyers

Brandon M. H. Schumacher
Amand P. Waske

The membership of MDTC’s Appellate Practices Law Section consists of attorneys who practice in the area of appellate law. The purpose of the section is to keep the members apprised of recent developments in this area of the law, as well to provide information on the practical aspects of handling cases in the Appellate Courts in Michigan, and the Appellate Courts of the United States. The section fulfills this role by providing articles and case note summaries and by disseminating practice tips through publication in the MDTC Quarterly.

Members of MDTC’s Commercial Litigation Section defend the interests of their clients in civil litigation, mediation, and arbitration throughout the State of Michigan and nationally. They understand that resolution of commercial disputes can be an expensive and exhausting process that can drain the resources of almost any business. This section strives to build a skill set in its members that includes the ability to provide issue spotting, counseling, negotiation mediation/arbitration, and litigation services, all in a timely and cost effective manner.

The purpose of the General Liability Section is to improve the claim and trial abilities of our members, through the exchange of talents, current case law, trial techniques/strategy, and legislative proposals as they relate to the transportation field and governmental safety involvements, in order to represent the defense in a manner that is equitable and ethical.

The purposes of the General Liability Section are to disseminate information and promote the exchange of ideas relating to the defense of premises liability lawsuits. This includes not only traditional premises liability claims based upon negligent construction or maintenance, but also liability claimed to arise out of the operation of escalators and elevators, false arrest and imprisonment and acts of third parties including criminal activity.

The General Liability Section facilitates the promotion and exchange of information and ideas relating to all aspects of defending products and premises liability lawsuits. Members prepare and disseminate scholarly articles, newsletters, case law updates and other written materials used in conjunction with oral presentations for the education of the membership at large. The substantive and procedural issues include pre-trial and post-trial discovery, trial strategy and technique, settlement strategy, client relations, and ethics, as each relates to product defect and product warning matters.

U.S. District Court For The Western District of Michigan

http://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/

The U.S. District Court For The Western District of Michigan website is a valuable legal resource for information, such as: The Local Rules of Practice and Procedure (as well as recent amendments), Standard Civil Jury Instructions, electronic filing, attorney and juror information, courtroom technology and court forms.

The objectives of the In-house Counsel Section are:

  • To facilitate communication and the exchange of information and ideas among attorneys who work in an in-house setting, whether for a governmental entity or in the private sector;
  • To develop, establish, and promote programs that offer in-house counsel the information, tools, and skills most helpful in meeting the demands of their practice; and
  • To provide a medium for communication, cooperation, and assistance in the resolution of problems common to in-house counsel.
Adopted at the March 26, 2015 Board Meeting

Description coming soon!

The membership of MDTC’s Insurance Law Section consists of attorneys who practice in the area of insurance coverage disputes and indemnity (common law, implied contractual and express contractual). The types of insurance embraced within the scope of the section include general liability and no-fault automobile coverage.

The purpose of the section is to keep the members apprised of recent developments in the law in these areas and to provide information relating to the practical aspects of handling cases in these practice areas. The section does this by providing articles and case note summaries for the Michigan Defense Quarterly and by providing speakers for seminars or workshops, when requested.

The Labor & Employment Section’s function is to keep the membership current in their knowledge of developments occurring in the following substantive legal areas:

1. Employment law, including all aspects of the employer/employee relationship and restrictive covenants;
2. Employment benefits, i.e., ERISA;
3. Employment discrimination, including The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (Title VII), Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and the various state statutes addressing discrimination in employment.

In addition, this section’s further purpose is to improve the claim and trial abilities of the membership when dealing with matters involving the aforementioned substantive legal areas, as well as to cooperate with other sections in matters of joint concern.

The purpose of this section is to provide a setting for members to address the economic aspects of the legal profession, including, but not limited to, trial practice. The focuses of the economic interests are the profession, the firm, the practitioner and the client.

Association of Legal Administrators

http://alanet.org/

The Association of Legal Administrators’ (ALA) mission is to:

Promote and enhance the competence and professionalism of all members of the legal management team; Improve the quality of management in law firms and other legal service organizations; and Represent professional legal management and managers to the legal community and to the community at large.

Business and Legal Reports

http://archives.subscribermail.com/msg/HEAL2114A30D.htm

Business & Legal Reports (BLR) has been helping HR, Safety and Environmental professionals with legal compliance and professional support resources for over 25 years.

Personnel Policy Service, Inc

http://ppspublishers.com/ez/html/022205txtb.html

Personnel Policy Service has served the human resource market since 1972. Our products give business professionals the necessary tools to create and maintain employee policy and procedure manuals.

SHRAM On Line – Society for Human Resource Management

http://www.shrm.org/about/

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest professional association devoted to human resource management. Our mission is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most current and comprehensive resources, and to advance the profession by promoting HR’s essential, strategic role. Founded in 1948, SHRM represents more than 225,000 individual members in over 125 countries, and has a network of more than 575 affiliated chapters in the United States, as well as offices in China and India.

The purpose of the Municipal & Governmental Liability Section is to keep the membership current in areas such as governmental tort liability, governmental immunity, and other legal developments pertinent municipal and governmental affairs. Our section provides a forum for the open discussion of topics of interest to our members, and we are devoted to improving the knowledge and abilities of our members in these areas through the exchange of information, as well as to cooperate with other sections in matters of mutual concern.

The purpose of this section is to examine and discuss recent case developments in the following areas of professional liability: Health Care Professionals, Accountants, Architects and Engineers, Attorneys, Directors and Officers, Insurance Agents and Brokers, Real Estate Agents, Brokers and Appraisers, and Stockbrokers.

The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel strives to advance the interests of civil defense litigators while promoting the fair and efficient administration of justice for their clients. To serve these goals, the Public Policy Committee will strive to educate MDTC members and governmental policy makers regarding issues of importance to civil defense practice, and promote the adoption of beneficial changes in the law.

Approach

  • The Committee Chair will communicate with the Executive Committee regarding Bills of potential interest to MDTC’s membership.
  • Upon the direction of or approval by [the Board/the EC] the Committee shall correspond with the Governor, Legislators, and/or other key policy makers and staff within the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government regarding legislation or rules of interest to MDTC and its members.
  • Upon the direction of or approval by [the Board/the EC], the Committee members, or other MDTC members appointed by the Committee, the Board or the EC, shall represent MDTC at committee hearings for relevant matters.
  • Upon the direction of or approval by [the Board/the EC], the Committee shall determine and communicate positions on proposed legislation, courts rules and administrative rules, as appropriate for the preservation and advancement of the legal system and the interests of MDTC’s members.
  • The Committee will invite legislative leaders to events and board meetings.
  • The Committee will distribute the MDTC Quarterly and E-news to “lawyer legislators”

    and other key governmental policy makers.

    Committee Members

    Graham Crabtree
    MDTC Executive Committee Mark Gilchrist

    As of the November 4, 2010 Board Meeting Drafted 11/11/2010:PCK revision 2-3-11

The purpose of this section is to enhance the skills, effectiveness, and professionalism of the trial practice members, by providing a forum for the open discussion of topics of interest to defense trial lawyers, by promoting and improving the standards of professional competence of trial lawyers, by promoting and encouraging the highest standards of courteous and ethical conduct, and by alerting membership to issues relevant to the trial of civil cases.

The Young Lawyers Section is devoted to issues and concerns of the young defense attorneys. Comprised of attorneys with seven, or less, years of experience in the specialty of defending civil litigation. Focusing on evidentiary issues, proposed and current legislation, expert witnesses, damages settlement and trial strategy and technique.

The mission of the Young Lawyers Section is:

1. To increase membership of young defense lawyers;
2. To educate young defense lawyers through committee sponsored seminars and publications;
3. To help develop comradery and networking opportunities between and among young defense lawyers;
4. To assist in the development of speaking, writing, and leadership skills by recruiting young lawyers as authors of articles and active participants in the organization.

ABA young lawyers division

http://www.abanet.org/yld/home.html

The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, composed of approximately 147,000 members, is the home of young lawyers. The Division is committed to assuring that the legal profession reflects the society it serves and to providing the tools and opportunities that young lawyers need to succeed both professionally and personally. Membership is open to all American Bar Association members under 36 years old or admitted to practice for five years or less.

 

SBM young lawyers section

http://www.michbar.org/younglawyers/

The Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan provides education, information, and analysis about issues of concern through meetings, seminars, this site, public service programs, and publication of a newsletter. Membership in the Section is open to all members of the State Bar of Michigan. Statements made on behalf of the Section do not necessarily reflect the views of the State Bar of Michigan.
Founded in 1940, the Young Lawyers Section (“YLS”) is the oldest and largest section of the State Bar of Michigan. 2000 marks its 60th year! The YLS began as the “Junior Bar of Michigan.” In 1961, its name was changed to the Young Lawyers Section.

  1. 1. To increase membership of young defense lawyers;
  2. 2. To educate young defense lawyers through committee sponsored seminars and publications;
  3. 3. To help develop comradery and networking opportunities between and among young defense lawyers;
  4. 4. To assist in the development of speaking, writing, and leadership skills by recruiting young lawyers as authors of articles and active participants in the organization.