SBM Blog

Lawyer Trust Accounts Seminar: Management Principles & Recordkeeping Resources

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2019; 1:15–4:45 p.m.
Cost: $50 for lawyers; $25 for non-lawyers, law students, & unlicensed graduates
Location: State Bar of Michigan, 306 Townsend St, Lansing
Registration: online or mail/fax form

Registration deadline is October 18. No "walk-in" registrations will be accepted.

View the Agenda & Faculty

This half-day ethics seminar will feature presentations on how to manage lawyer trust accounts, including how to effectively use forms, checklists, and other recordkeeping resources. The seminar, which is open to lawyers and their staff, is an excellent way to learn how to comply with Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15 and 1.15A.

Participants will receive practical information as well as materials prepared by the presenters: SBM Professional Standards Division Director Danon Goodrum-Garland, SBM Assistant General Counsel Nkrumah Johnson-Wynn, Professional Standards Assistant Counsel Alecia Ruswinckel, and Attorney Grievance Commission Senior Associate Counsel Rhonda Pozehl.

Michigan Supreme Court Appoints New Grievance Administrator

The Michigan Supreme Court has appointed Michael V. Goetz to the position of Grievance Administrator for the Michigan Attorney Grievance
Commission (AGC). Goetz will oversee the prosecutorial and educational functions of the AGC. The appointment is effective September 23, 2019.
“Mr. Goetz has both the management skills and professional experience to make sure the AGC continues to protect the public and hold the legal profession accountable,” said Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack. “Just as important, Mr. Goetz has a deep commitment to public service and great ideas on how to engage the public and the bar in the Commission’s critical mission, and to manage and inspire AGC staff.”

Goetz received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 1983 and a juris doctorate from Detroit College of Law in 1988. He most recently worked in the Michigan Office of the Attorney General, serving as Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division’s Drug Interdiction Unit for six years. In addition to more than 30 years of experience in prosecution at the state and county levels, Goetz also currently serves his community as an emergency medical technician-firefighter for the Orion Township Fire Department.

The Attorney Grievance Commission is the investigative and prosecutorial arm of the Michigan Supreme Court for allegations of attorney misconduct. The AGC has jurisdiction over all attorneys licensed to practice law by the state Bar of Michigan and attorneys otherwise permitted to practice law in the State of Michigan. The AGC strives to maintain and promote the integrity of the Bar and to protect the public, the courts, and the legal profession.

NCBE Testing Task Force 2019 Practice Analysis

Don’t miss your chance to help shape the future of the bar exam! The NCBE Testing Task Force is conducting a practice analysis survey to gather current data on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and technology that newly licensed lawyers use in their jobs. Your input is needed! Take the survey today: https://www.testingtaskforce.org/2019PAsurvey

Annual Information Technology Seminar & Annual Meeting

The Business Law and Government Law Sections are invited to attend this informative event.

Date: Thursday, September 12, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Inn at St. John's, 44045 Five Mile Rd, Plymouth
Register: online or by mail form
Preregister by September 9, 2019

Costs: (includes seminar, breakfast, lunch, and a networking reception) Section Member Seminar Registration—$75; Section Student Member Seminar Registration—FREE*; Non-section Student Member Seminar Registration—$20*; All other seminar registrants—$125;

Section Annual Meeting (does not include seminar, meals, or reception)—FREE
*Students must register using their law school email address.

Limited onsite registration available—for a $30 fee in addition to seminar cost.

As in previous years, this promises to be an educational and entertaining event. The cost of the seminar includes a light breakfast, lunch, and a complimentary cocktail reception. The annual IT Law Section and council meetings will be held during the luncheon and will include election of the 2019–2020 council members and section officers.

8:00–9:00 a.m. Light Breakfast | 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Seminar (Annual Meeting during lunch) | 4:00 p.m. Networking Reception