MJA Member Hon. Lisa K. McCormick and Reunification Day 2025
Click the picture to the left to read about MJA Member Hon. Lisa McCormick and the celebration of the 8th Annual Reunification Day!
Check Your Contribution – Defined Contribution Match Increased from 3% to 5%
Your future you needs your attention. Your future you says it'll just take a minute, and it's worth it. Judges Defined Contribution match has increased from 3% to 5% beginning April 10, 2025 (see link to the right to Enrolled House Bill No. 5328). This has been a long time coming and all the [...]
Nominations Open for The Michael Franck Award
NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING LAWYER FOR THE MICHAEL FRANCK AWARD DEADLINE: SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2025 Want to learn more about this award? Want to nominate a lawyer you think has made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of the profession? Please follow this link to learn more or nominate a deserving attorney https://www.michbar.org/programs/award_franck [...]
Justice Markman’s Remarks to MJA
MJA was honored to have Chief Justice Stephen Markman address the members in attendance at the luncheon meeting during the Conference in August. His remarks were well received and set a positive tone for the Conference and beyond. The Chief Justice was kind enough to provide us with a written copy of his remarks for [...]
Article on Facebook Conduct by Judges
Right in line with one of last week's presentations at the Annual Conference, 2017 Hilda Gage Award winner Judge Jim Alexander submitted this interesting and enlightening article on a recent Florida Appeals Court decision dealing with Facebook and judges. Please click below to view. "Florida Appeals Court Rules Judges Can Be Facebook Friends with Lawyers"
Sample Stipulation and Order Regarding Discovery of Digital Evidence
Judge Kathleen Feeney has graciously provided a draft of a sample stip and order of protection regarding the discovery of digital evidence. It is very helpful and provided in word format so that it can be downloaded and edited for your particular case. Please click on the link below to access. "Stipulation and Order of [...]
Additional Information on HB 4691 and Changes to the Child Custody Act
Judge Kathleen Feeney has provided the links below that provide news coverage of some recent events involving HB 4691, including video. Please click the titles below to view. "Town Hall Held for Equal Parenting Bill" Fox 17 West Michigan News "Bill Would Revamp How Child Custody Decided" Wood TV 8 Grand Rapids
Child Protection Proceedings – Information for Parents
Last year, Child Welfare Service’s Court Process Improvement Committee developed a Child Protective Proceedings Handbook, as well as a shorter Pamphlet, for parents involved in child protective proceedings. CWS mailed dozens of copies to courts, who then provided the resources either directly to parents involved in child protective proceedings and/or to attorneys representing parents. Due to [...]
Article on Unfair or Unjust Criticism of Judges
Every judge is subject to criticism from time to time, we all accept that as part of the job. Reasonable and fair criticism of judges and other public officials by the public and the media is one of the hallmarks of a democratic society. However, sometimes judges are subject to unjust or unfair criticism which is motivated [...]
Changes to Michigan Child Custody Act – HB 4691
MJA has received a number of inquiries from judges regarding the changes to the Child Custody Act proposed under HB 4691, as well as MJA's response to these changes. MJA's Family Law Committee has aggressively followed the progress of HB 4691 and provided detailed input to the legislature in a letter to Chairman Runestead. Please click HERE to [...]