ANTITRUST, FRANCHISING, AND TRADE REGULATION SECTION
The Antitrust, Franchising, and Trade Regulation Section hosted its annual forum on Jan. 20. The speaker was Thomas Ayres of Witmer Karp Warner & Ryan in Boston, who presented a webinar on the development of the independent contractor/franchisee issue in franchising and discussed the several cases pending in the courts focusing on whether franchisees are the franchisor’s employees. He also discussed the PRO Act and how its passage could affect the future of franchising. The webinar can be found at perma.cc/42SQ-RNEL.
GOVERNMENT LAW SECTION
The Government Law Section will hold its annual summer conference June 24-25 at the Grand Traverse Resort. The in-person conference will address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the municipal sector. Content will include a presentation on implicit bias and using DEI as bias interrupters along with a panel discussion that tackles the legal considerations surrounding implementation of DEI goals and initiatives. Visit the section website at connect.michbar.org/govlaw/home for details in the coming weeks.
HEALTHCARE LAW SECTION
The Healthcare Law Section is hosting a discussion on Michigan legislative changes on Thursday, April 7. Panelists include Rep. Graham Filler, a member of the House of Representatives Health Policy Committee; Rep. Angela Witwer; and Dom Pallone, executive director of Michigan Association of Health Plans. The expected discussion topics include auto no-fault, surprise billing, and mental health law changes.
IMMIGRATION LAW SECTION
There appears to be more movement on loosening restrictions on employment-based immigration visas in order to address the great need to fill jobs in the United States. The hope is that such visas would be extended to blue-collar workers as well as the white-collar workforce. No movement yet on trying to permanently legalize DREAMERS — people who have lived in the U.S. without official authorization since coming to the country as minors. Stay tuned!
INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY LAW SECTION
Please join us for our next business meeting on Thursday, April 14, at 4 p.m. at the Detroit Athletic Club. The meeting with be followed by a discussion with prior section chairs about renewal of our five-year strategic plan. Space is limited. For details on the business meeting and our 2022 scholarship program, visit us on Facebook or at connect.michbar.org/insurance/home.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW SECTION
The LELS mid-winter meeting and annual meeting was held on Jan. 21. Five legal updates have been uploaded to the section website. The section also elected the following as officers: Keith Brodie, chair; Heidi Sharp, vice chair; Tad Roumayah, secretary; and Mami Kato, treasurer. Also, two new members — Benjamin King and Haba Yono — joined the council. The council looks forward to continuing its tradition of presenting timely and informative programming and creating opportunities for collegiality across the section and state.
LITIGATION SECTION
For the first time ever, Michigan is hosting the national championship of the High School Mock Trial competition under the leadership of the Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE). The MCCE is also hosting Michigan’s state championship. Many volunteers are needed to support the programs. The Litigation Section is one of the competition’s many important sponsors. For information on how you can help, visit the MCCE website at miciviced.org/programs/mock-trial/ or email Fatima M. Bolyea at fbolyea@manteselaw.com.
PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT SECTION
The Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section held its annual meeting in late September at the Homestead Resort in Glenn Arbor. The section’s 2021-2022 leaders are: Michelle Rachmaninow, chair; Felica Watson, chair-elect; Marianne Delany, treasurer; and Natalie Walter, secretary. The section looks forward to upcoming educational and social events for 2022. Check out our website at connect.michbar.org/paralegal/home for more information.
SOCIAL SECURITY SECTION
The Social Security Section will offer two more seminars this year, and we hope you will join us. Our Boyne Mountain seminar takes place from June 12-14. We are lining up an impressive agenda of speakers. We will also meet at Schoolcraft College on Sept. 23 for our fall seminar. Sign up for the section listserv for further updates.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW SECTION
The section’s annual meeting will be held on June 30 at Crystal Mountain with a dinner celebrating the 2022 hall of fame class and the Don Ducey Award winner. A seminar and business meeting follows at 9 a.m. on July 1. A future eblast and the section newsletter will have further details in the coming months.
YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION
The Young Lawyers Section held several educational events during the winter. The next action items include collaborating for a webinar, hosting a fitness and wellness event, and outreach with law students. The section is also planning a virtual national mock trial competition.