WLAM: Women Lawyers Association of Michigan

42 women lawyers, judges and law students had a wonderful time at Board member Jeri Parkin's beautiful home in Northville on Friday evening, January 22, 2010.  Thanks to perfect planning by our hostess Jeri (a highly organized, creative real estate and business lawyer at Barris Sott), comfort food (lasagna, salad, wine and brownies), and a surprisingly competitive warm-up challenge from social chair and V.P. Allison "Bingo" Bach of Dickinson Wright, people agreed the Winter Dinner Wine Fest rivaled the success of the End of Summer Party last year at Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly's home.  (And Jeri's carpets remained spotless!)

Attendees included WLAM State president Kim Winokur (a member of the Washtenaw Region), WLAM Wayne member 36th District Court Judge Kay Hansen (a "Bingo" winner), WLAM Wayne member Wayne County Juvenile Division Judge Lynne Pierce, State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith, Dem., who is running for governor and WLAM Wayne Region president Joni Van Genderen. WLAM members from Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw Regions mixed with scores of other women lawyers and law students from southeast Michigan. 

Thank you all for coming, thanks very much to Jeri Parkin and Allison Bach, and a big thanks also to Treasurer Kathy Rogers for keeping track of the money!

Stay tuned to this space for photos from the Winter Dinner.

-Elizabeth Jolliffe

The Wayne Region rocked in the holiday season with 23 people on hand to celebrate at Hard Rock Cafe on the 15th.  A great space, plenty of food, easy parking, and notables such as 36th District Court Judges Cylenthia LaToye Miller and Kay Hansen, Wayne County Circuit Court Juvenile Division Judge Lynne Pierce, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly, and soon to be the new (and first female) United States Attorney for the ED MI Barb McQuade attended.  Six lucky people walked away with a bottle of wine.

It was great to see everyone - new members, soon to be members, veterans and enthusiasts.  We look forward to getting together again at the Wayne Winter Wine Fest (wine & dine!) on Friday, January 22nd.  We'll relax over dinner at a member's home in Northville and celebrate winter!

Many thanks go to Allison Bach of Dickinson Wright and Julie Pfitzenmaier of Wright Penning for organizing the Rockin' the Holiday party.

Celebrate Winter with the Women of Wayne on Friday, January 22nd.

 Wine, dinner, great conversations and connections.  Warm, friendly, comfortable yet dynamic, energetic and useful!  Bring a friend.

Hosted by Wayne Board member Jeri Parkin of Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker, PLLC at her home in Northville.  Address provided when you RSVP. 

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Wayne members $10 

Non-members $15

Leave your wine at home since we still have plenty from our generous guests at the Wine & Garden Party!

RSVP by January 19 to Elizabeth Jolliffe.  Elizabeth@YourBenchmarkCoach.com

WLAM Wayne Region's Holiday gathering is:

Tuesday December 15 @ the Hard Rock Detroit (Compuware Building), 45 Monroe Street, in the heart of downtown Detroit. There is an easy parking structure in the next block and surface lot parking nearby as well.

5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Cash Bar.  Appetizers provided.

$5 Wayne Region members.  $10 non-members.

RSVP by December 13 to Jule Pfitzenmaier  jpfitzenmaier@wrightpenning.com

17 women attended the "Moms-In-Law:  A Kitchen Table Discussion" lunch event on December 1st.  Coming from large, medium and small firms, the participants shared advice and experiences on approaching employers about and succeeding with various work schedules.  Many topics were touched on, including gaps on resumes for family reasons.  It turns out that at least in the experience of those present from smaller firms, gaps raise no concerns or questions in the interview process.

Advice included the experiences of two judges, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly and Wayne County Circuit Court - Juvenile Division Judge Lynne Pierce.  Lunch included sandwiches from Jimmy John's.   

If you are interested in possible quarterly brown bag events, or other related activities, for Moms-In-Law, please contact Wayne Region member Jeri Parkin.  jparkin@bsdd.com  You do not have to be a mother!  

The event was held in the conference center of SMART Detroit, 13th Floor, Penobscot Building.  645 Griswold, Detroit.  Future events may be held here as well.