WLAM: Women Lawyers Association of Michigan

See the attachments for the wonderful coverage in the Detroit Legal News, the "above the fold" photo of "The Wright Stuff", and other photos from the annual meeting on May 28, 2009 at the Dearborn Golf & Country Club.  Thank you, again, to the Dickinson Wright Women's Network for sponsoring this event. 

The Lawyers beat the Judges in the 2009 Culinary Cookoff on June 11th.  In an incredibly tight vote, the lawyers' team "Grilled By the Hour" prevailed over the judges' "Grilled By the Bench" to claim victory in this year's live Grill-Off and bragging rights in the Southeast Michigan legal community!  Kathy Rogers, one of the Cookoff committee members and WLAM-Wayne Treasurer, known throughout the land for her ability to "bring order to chaos", was overheard saying that the "possibility" of rain (Yes, It Did!) added extra afternoon excitement for planners and gracious host retired Justice Charles Levin.  Immediate Past President of WLAM-Wayne Hon. Lynne Pierce (Wayne County Circuit) won the dessert category for her amazing chocolate chip cookies.  Last year's winner, Hon. Denise Langford Morris (Oakland County Circuit ) did not re-enter her "Ugly Brownies", choosing instead to rest on her laurels and give others a chance.  48th District Court Judge Marc Barron (Bloomfield Hills) won the [heavy!] appetizer category with his chili.  The rain didn't stop the cookoff or the hundred twenty plus lawyers, judges, law students, and media from having an excellent time inside and outside under the tent.  Proceeds from this fundraiser benefitted Alternatives for Girls, Crossroads for Youth and the WLAM-Foundation.  Michigan Lawyers Weekly reporter Doug Levy and Detroit Legal News photographer John Meiu covered the event.  Special thanks from the WLAM-Wayne members to our law students from the  University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State for their volunteer assistance at the party.  Special thanks also to retired Judge William Giovan (Wayne County Circuit) for agreeably chauffering this writer, WLAM-Wayne Vice President Holly Gottschalk and Judge Langford Morris to our cars at the event's conclusion.  Judge Langford Morris knows how to commandeer a ride when one would be helpful!  

Not just business as usual!  In addition to installing the new officers of the WLAM - Wayne region, attendees at the May 28, 2009 Annual Dinner created new connections and simple personal plans of immediate action to enhance their careers and/or personal lives.  With advice from, and facilitated by, speaker and new officer Elizabeth Jolliffe, an executive coach for lawyers, the women lawyers completed an individual assessment tool and then broke into groups of three.  In the triads the lawyers helped each other brainstorm ideas and choose an effective, time driven action step to move toward their chosen goal. By tapping into a variety of professional and personal life experiences, the triads proved an effective way for the lawyers to learn and to make more and stronger connections within the WLAM-Wayne community.  The Detroit Legal News ran a front page story on the event on June 1st, authored by Legal News writer Taryn Hartman who attended the dinner and even participated in the workshop.  Thank you to everyone, including Taryn, for your enthusiasm and energy.  Thank you, especially, to Judge Lynne Pierce, and to Natalie Yaw and Allison Bach of Dickinson Wright, for coordinating the event at the Dearborn Golf and Country Club.  Finally, a very big thank you to Dickinson Wright's Women's Network for its generous support as the sponsor of this annual dinner meeting.    

October 10, 2008 - Networking Reception @ Wayne State Law School with 10 lawyers and 30 women students from Wayne State and University of Detroit Law Schools.  Barris Lounge, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

November 18, 2008 - "Wine Down" @ Centaur Restaurant, Detroit, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  50+ lawyers and law students attended.  Attendees brought items for troops overseas.

December 10, 2008 - Co-sponsored the "Bench Bar Holiday Party" w/ the Detroit Metropolitan Bar and the Wolverine Bar @ the Atheneum, Detroit, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.   We honored the judges who retired or otherwise left the bench during the 2008 year.  33 judges attended to honor their colleagues and mingle with the lawyers. Approximately 150 people.

January 21, 2009 - "Post-Holiday Wine Down" @ Traffic Jam & Snug, Detroit, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Attendees brought business clothing donations for "Jackets for Jobs." 

March 19, 2009 - Networking Reception @ University of Detroit Law School w/ 10 lawyers and 25 women students.  Faculty Lounge, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

New Officers for 2009-2010 

President:  Joni Van Genderen, (248) 865-0001, JVanGenderen@gmgpc.com

Vice-President:  Holly Gottschalk, (313) 965-8464, HGottschalk@clarkhill.com

Treasurer:  Kathryn Rogers, (313) 882-2794, Rogers.Kathryna@gmail.com

Recording Secretary:  Allison Bach, (313) 223-3604, ABach@dickinsonwright.com

Corresponding Secretary:  Elizabeth Jolliffe, (734) 663-7905, Elizabeth@YourBenchmarkCoach.com