www.fbamich.org FBAnewsletterFall 2016 Federal Bar Association - Eastern District of Michigan Chapter - 58 years of service to our Federal Bench and Bar Edward H. Rakow Awards, Barbara J. Rom Award, Court President’s Historical Society Meeting Column Susan E. Fairchild On Tuesday, November 15, the Chapter and Court Historical Society will host their annual luncheon event at “Continuing the the Westin Book Cadillac. A reception will begin at 11:30 Model of Success” a.m., followed by the luncheon at noon. The annual Rakow Scholarship Awards will be In the midst of the presented by the Federal Bar Foundation to outstanding United States presidential students from each of the Michigan law schools. The campaign, I can’t resist scholarship awards are named for Edward H. Rakow, who opening my remarks with a helped originate the Eastern District of Michigan Chapter political quote: of the Federal Bar Association. The program will also feature the presentation of “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” the fifth annual Barbara J. Rom Bankruptcy Award to a - Abraham Lincoln. bankruptcy practitioner who demonstrates the same level of excellence and dedication in the practice of bankruptcy And so, with this resolve, I assume the Chapter law as the Award’s namesake. For a full description of the presidency for the 2016-2017 term. Award and nomination forms, please visit the Chapter This year marks the 58th year of our Chapter website. Nominations are open until October 20, 2016. and its service to the federal bench and bar in the The speaker for the event will be attorney, professor, Eastern District. Over the years, this organization has and author Kevin M. Ball, who was a bankruptcy attorney been recognized with numerous awards including before teaching at his alma mater, Wayne State University. the National FBA Outstanding Newsletter Award Ball is currently the Program Director of the Business and and National FBA President’s Award for Chapter Paralegal Programs for Baker College. He holds a J.D. from Excellence. Our Chapter is highly respected for its the University of Detroit Mercy Law School and a Ph.D. quality educational programs, active membership, from Wayne State University. and the participation we receive from our district Ball will be discussing his recently-released book, judges and magistrate judges. We have chosen to Adversity and Justice: A History of the United States excel. Bankruptcy This year will be no different. We will continue Court for the the model of success we have become. We have INSIDE THIS ISSUE Eastern District a talented and ambitious Officer group including President-Elect Jeff Appel, Vice President Saura of Michigan. In Dave Weaver pg. 2-3 Sahu, Secretary/Treasurer Matthew Lund, and our his book Ball newest member, Program Chair Fred Herrmann. Judge Edmunds’ Portrait pg. 3-6 explores the Guiding us with her wisdom and experience will beginnings of Supreme Court Review pg. 6-7 be Kim Altman, Immediate Past President. I thank the Court in the them all for their continued involvement and support State of the Court pg. 7, 9 late nineteenth going forward. century through Focus on a Federal Agency We also have returning the 2013 City and established Committee Special pg. 9, 11-12 of Detroit Chairs who have committed WINNER New Law Clerks pg. 12 bankruptcy. He to offering relevant 13 YEARS National FBA Antitrust Event Photos pg. 13 relies on personal educational programming to our membership. Without Outstanding accounts, Newsletter Officers and Directors pg. 14-15 their assistance and (continued on Award Calendar of Events pg. 15 page 2) (continued on page 2) 1 President’s Column (continued) Rakow (from page 1) newspaper articles, and interviews to provide a innovative ideas for programming and events, our comprehensive account of the Court’s history. As noted Chapter would not succeed. on Amazon.com, anyone with an interest in bankruptcy, To add to our success and efficiency, over the summer break, with the assistance of our legal history, or the city of Detroit’s bankruptcy case will friends and colleagues at Computing Source, our be attracted to this thorough case study of the Bankruptcy Chapter website has undergone major revisions. Court. We have added more member-accessible events Tickets are $35 for members and $45 for non-members. and programs, updated Committee membership Tickets are available online at www.fbamich.org. lists, and included additional relevant links and resources. Please visit our website to check it out. We also will continue our periodic “E-Blasts” to Dave Weaver, inform members of upcoming events and news. Clerk of Court/ Already our new year has started off with an outstanding event which bid farewell to Bankruptcy Court Administrator Judge Walter Shapero and welcomed Bankruptcy Judge Maria Oxholm to the Bankrupcty Court. Our first Chapter luncheon program, the State of the I am extremely pleased to Court luncheon featuring our new Chief Judge, the report that David Ashenfelter Honorable Denise Page Hood, was a success with has been selected to succeed Rod over 270 attendees. Hansen as the Court’s Public From there we have scheduled a Pro Bono Information Officer, following Mr. Seminar in late October and a Judicial Internship Hansen’s untimely passing several months ago. Ashenfelter and Clerkship Panel jointly sponsored by the won Pulitzer Prizes while at The Detroit News and The Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne Detroit Free Press during his career. Law, the Chapter Law Clerk Committee, and the Wolverine Bar Association Judicial Externship Ours is one of only two or three Federal district courts Program. The Rakow/Bankruptcy/Historical that has a dedicated Public Information Officer on staff. Society Luncheon follows in November, and the Ashenfelter will handle media inquiries and news releases Chapter Holiday Party, the New Lawyer Seminar, and will assist with other media matters, including working the McCree Luncheon, the Gilman Luncheon, and with the Office of Public Affairs at the Administrative Office the Golf Outing round out the year. Scheduled in of the U.S. Courts in Washington, D.C. on various projects. between will be other Committee sponsored and The Federal State of Emergency regarding the Flint hosted events, which will comprise an exciting and water system officially ended on August 14. As I mentioned busy calendar year. in an earlier article, the General Services Administration My focus this year, in addition to mirroring the (GSA) has concluded the process of installing water filters excellent leadership by former presidents, will at all water sources in the Flint courthouse. Ongoing be to grow our Chapter membership. Our goal water testing provided by GSA indicates the filters are for 2016/2017 is to increase our membership to working properly, however, the Court has just completed record levels. By expanding our membership and independent water testing and is awaiting those results in participation among federal practitioners and the an effort to confirm and support the GSA results. judiciary, we create our legacy and future success. The renovation of the Theodore Levin U. S. Courthouse Please find a way to recruit a new member this is underway. The entire 4th floor is currently being built out year and help toward our goal. Perhaps invite a law as temporary office space to be used first by the Probation student or newer lawyer in your firm or agency to one of our luncheons. Department. Most visitors to the Court are not aware, but As always, this is your FBA Chapter. Any the Courthouse has a three-lane indoor gun range in the suggestions for speakers, programs, or membership basement. The range has not been used in over twenty recruitment ideas are always welcome. Photo years and is currently undergoing a lead abatement project. submissions or articles for the newsletter are also The space will be reclaimed for use by building support appreciated. If you have any questions about how contractors at the conclusion of the overall renovation to become involved, or how you can help continue project. our model for success, please feel free to drop me On a final note, Fiscal Year 2017 has begun and the an email at [email protected], or call me Eastern District of Michigan and the Federal Judiciary at (313) 226-9577. overall anticipate a good budget year. Though the final 2 numbers will not be firmed up until January 2017 or later, established as a judge who has followed the rule of law we appear to be in pretty good fiscal shape. with compassion, fairness and justice for all.” Remember, if you have any comments, questions Chief Judge Hood then introduced the extensive or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact me at: david_ list of members of the bench who were present to honor [email protected]. Judge Edmunds including judges from the District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and Circuit Court, as well as Court personnel and the legal community at large. The individuals who spoke at the ceremony illuminated Judge Edmunds’ Judge Edmunds’ life in law and her character as judge, Portrait Presentation lawyer, mother, friend, and mentor. Eugene Driker of Barris, Sott, Denn and Driker spoke first, his words by Ruth Tyszka* drawing a picture of Nancy “fresh from her first year at Wayne State Law School” and coming to clerk at his law “Along the way over 25 years, you have all firm. He illustrated her progress from bright law student taught me what it means to be a judge. You have to thoughtful judge, highlighting her service as a law clerk helped me build bridges between the black letter to Judge Ralph M.