Great Lakes Legal Conference 2025: Full Schedule

Resort casual or business clothing is appropriate for the conference. The Grand Hotel considers every evening a special occasion and requires all guests and visitors to wear dress clothing after 6:30 p.m. in all areas of the hotel, except the Cupola Bar. Learn more about the Grand Hotel Policies here.

PRE-EVENT

Thursday, June 12, 2025

6:30–8:00 p.m.

Pre-Conference Networking Dinner

Pontiac Room

DAY 1

Friday, June 13, 2025

8:00–11:00 a.m.	Grand Nine Golf Meetup - $100 (Fees will be paid at Pro Shoppe)
10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.	Registration Open Art Gallery
12:15–1:00 p.m.	Refreshments Theatre Room
1:00–1:15 p.m.	Welcome and Introductions Joseph P. McGill President, State Bar of Michigan Foley Baron Metzger & Juip PLLC Theatre Room
1:15–2:15 p.m.	Keynote: AI and the Future of the Legal Profession Sateesh Nori Just Tech, LLC, and New York University School of Law New York, NY Theatre Room
2:15–2:25 p.m.	Break
2:25–3:10 p.m.	Under the Domes: A Public Policy Update for the Legal Profession Peter Cunningham State Bar of Michigan Executive Director, Lansing Nathan Triplett State Bar of Michigan Public Policy Director, Lansing Theatre Room
3:10–3:20 p.m.	Break
	Leadership Track Moderator: David Anderson Collins Einhorn Farrell PC Southfield Theater Room Legal Updates Track Moderator: Kim A. Coggins Coggins Law, Marinette, WI Brighton Room Practice Management Track Moderator: Jacob Eccleston Michigan State Housing Development Authority Lansing Terrace Room
3:20–4:05 p.m.	Charting Your Path: Emerging as a Leader in the Legal Profession Takura Nyamfukudza Chartier & Nyamfukudza PLC Okemos Robert A. Easterly Easterly Law PLLC East Lansing Real Property Law: New Developments and Practice Tips John G. Cameron, Jr. Dickinson Wright PLLC Grand Rapids Navigating Michigan’s Trial Courts E-Filing System (MiFILE) Thomas D. Fuentes Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Information Services, Lansing Sarah Santini Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Information Services, Lansing Dawn Wagoner Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Information Services, Lansing
4:05–4:15 p.m.	Break
4:15–5:00 p.m.	1:1 Meetings – MiFile Training \| Marketing Help \| Outreach \| Well-Being
4:15–5:00 p.m.	The Power of Partnerships: Collaborative Leadership for Access to Justice Ashley Lowe Lakeshore Legal Aid, Pontiac Estate Planning and Elder Law Update Nathan R. Piwowarski McCurdy Wotila & Porteous PC, Cadillac Improv for Lawyers: Building Confidence, Creativity, and Communication Skills Jerome Crawford Pleasantrees Cannabis Company, Harrison Twp
6:00–7:00 p.m.	Grand Reception Grand Hotel Porch
6:30–8:45 p.m.	Main Dining Room Open for Dinner

DAY 2

Saturday, June 14, 2025

8:00–9:00 a.m.	Hotel Checkout
8:30–9:00 a.m.	Refreshments Theatre Room
8:30–11:45 a.m.	1:1 Meetings – MiFile Training \| Marketing \| Section & Bar Advice \| Well-Being
	Leadership Track Moderator: David Anderson Collins Einhorn Farrell PC Southfield Theater Room Legal Updates Track Moderator: Kim A. Coggins Coggins Law, Marinette, WI Brighton Room Practice Management Track Moderator: Jacob Eccleston Michigan State Housing Development Authority Lansing Terrace Room
9:00–9:45 a.m.	Leading the AI Revolution: Change is Hard Sateesh Nori Just Tech, LLC, and New York University School of Law New York, NY Criminal Law Update—You Can’t Win If You Don’t Know the Law Mary Chartier Chartier & Nyamfukudza PLC Okemos Marisa A. Vinsky Chartier & Nyamfukudza PLC Okemos Prioritizing Well-Being: A Wellness Check-In and Task Force Update Molly Ranns Director of the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program, Lansing
9:45–9:55 a.m.	Break
9:55–10:40 a.m.	Leading Together: How Young Lawyers Can Inspire and Support Each Other Silvia Mansoor Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC Livonia Family Law Update James J. Harrington, III Harrington Law PLC Novi Understanding the Ethics of AI: Principles for Legal Professionals Nicholas Ohanesian Social Security Administration Office of Hearings Operations Grand Rapids
10:40–10:50 a.m.	Break
10:50–11:35 a.m.	Leading the Bar in the Virtual Age Jennifer Quick Oakland County Bar Association Executive Director Bloomfield Hills The Intersection of Federal, State and Tribal Law in Michigan Hon. Melissa Pope Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Fulton The Bench Perspective: Preparation and Professionalism Hon. David A. Perkins Wayne County Probate Court Detroit Hon. B. Chris Christenson 7th Circuit Court Flint Hon. Kristen Simmons 54A District Court Lansing
11:35–11:45 a.m.	Break
	Leadership Track Moderator: David Anderson Collins Einhorn Farrell PC Southfield Theater Room Legal Updates Track Moderator: Kim A. Coggins Coggins Law, Marinette, WI Brighton Room
11:45–12:30 p.m.	Dealing with Difficult Clients and Opposing Counsel Aaron V. Burrell Dickinson Wright PLLC, Troy Real Property Law: New Developments and Practice Tips John G. Cameron, Jr. Dickinson Wright PLLC, Grand Rapids
12:30–12:40 p.m.	Concluding Remarks and Door Prize Drawing (Must be present to win) Theatre Room