State Bar of Michigan hosting panel discusson on use of police body cameras

The State Bar of Michigan Law and the Media Committee will host a panel discussion on the use of police body cameras.

Up to 95% of police departments in US major cities plan to implement body cams in the near future. (Grand Rapids already has implemented it). This is according to a study by Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sherrifs Association.

The thing is that wearing cameras impacts other areas of law, such as constitutional rights, and privacy.

Article here (via SBM blog).

The State Bar of Michigan Law and the Media Committee will host a panel discussion called “Body Cams: Competing Issues of Transparency, Privacy, and Constitutional Rights” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on March 9 at the Spencer M. Patrich Auditorium at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit. The Wolverine Bar Association will cosponsor the discussion.
A recent survey conducted by the Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriffs' Association found that up to 95 percent of large police departments in the U.S. plan to implement a body camera program in the near future.
- See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/sbm-blog/2016/02/sbm-law-the-media-committee-panel-hosts-discussion-on-police-use-of-body-cameras.html#sthash.LYfzaTTX.dpuf

The State Bar of Michigan Law and the Media Committee will host a panel discussion called “Body Cams: Competing Issues of Transparency, Privacy, and Constitutional Rights” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on March 9 at the Spencer M. Patrich Auditorium at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit. The Wolverine Bar Association will cosponsor the discussion.
A recent survey conducted by the Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriffs' Association found that up to 95 percent of large police departments in the U.S. plan to implement a body camera program in the near future.
- See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/sbm-blog/2016/02/sbm-law-the-media-committee-panel-hosts-discussion-on-police-use-of-body-cameras.html#sthash.LYfzaTTX.dpuf

The State Bar of Michigan has a new president: Thomas C. Rombach

Last week at the State Bar's annual meeting, the 80th president of the State Bar was sworn in. His name is Thomas C. Rombach.

Mr. Rombach is a solo practitioner who focuses his practice on criminal and civil litigation.

Article here. (via State Bar of Michigan blog).

Mr. Rombach earned his undergrad degree at Michigan State University and graduated from law school at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Thomas C. Rombach, of New Baltimore, has been sworn in as the 80th president of the State Bar of Michigan. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr. officiated at the Sept. 18 ceremony, which took place in conjunction with the SBM Annual Meeting at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.
Mr. Rombach is a solo practitioner and focuses his practice on representing criminal and civil litigants.
- See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/sbm-blog/2014/09/thomas-c-rombach-sworn-in-as-state-bar-of-michigan-president.html#sthash.yR1zXMa7.dpuf

Thomas C. Rombach, of New Baltimore, has been sworn in as the 80th president of the State Bar of Michigan. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr. officiated at the Sept. 18 ceremony, which took place in conjunction with the SBM Annual Meeting at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.
Mr. Rombach is a solo practitioner and focuses his practice on representing criminal and civil litigants.
- See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/sbm-blog/2014/09/thomas-c-rombach-sworn-in-as-state-bar-of-michigan-president.html#sthash.yR1zXMa7.dpuf

Michigan State Bar annual meeting: Grand Rapids, September 18: Celebrate Diversity!

Get to know other members of the Michigan State Bar, network and socialize, and generally be awesome. Article here (via sbm blog).

This event also takes place during the Solo & Small Firm Institute continuing legal education seminar. More info here (via sbm blog). 

State Bar of Michigan seeks membership applications for committee service

Assist your State Bar by being active in a committee! Applications are due by April 25, 2014.

This link has applications & committee lists. I applied for a committee, hopefully I will get on it.

State Bar membership may become voluntary in Michigan.

Michigan, the 24th state to adopt Right to Work laws, has now introduced legislation that would make state bar membership voluntary.

From the State Bar of Michigan blog: The sponsor, Sen. Arlan Meekhof, told reporters that the State Bar had become “more of a political organization."

 article here.

Bar Exam Results: How do you think they should be publicized?

How do you think Bar Exam results should be publicized?

The State Bar of Michigan blog had an article on this. Michigan's method is to notify takers by mail, then publicize online a few days later. So the takers get the chance to get the good news (or bad) first, tell family, and then the general public will be able to see online who passed. Of course, this is all different if you're a taker who wasn't cleared by Character & Fitness before taking the exam.

I wasn't caring how Michigan publicized, but I sure wished they had a definite date on which they would notify taker. It seemed like I knew the mailman better than ever, as well as what was the normal time for him to be headed down my street.