Oakland|WBA Report June 2018

On behalf of the WBA, we would like to wish everyone a fun and healthy summer. As our year winds down and plans develop for the upcoming season, here is what we have been recently up to!

In March, the 2nd Annual Affinity Bar Charity Challenge was held at Otus Supply in Ferndale.  Partnering with Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – Macomb, Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Detroit Bar Association, D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, Wolverine Bar Association, and the Michigan Muslim Bar Association, the associations lobbied for their individual charities. Each association selected a judge of honor and a charity to promote. Kids TALK, promoted by Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly, came away with the big “win” earning first place in the challenge ($1,209!) and receiving an extra $200.00 from the profits of the evening. All the charities did well and the remaining proceeds from the event were split evenly between them. Judges, affinity bar board members, attorneys, and students were all in attendance for an evening of fellowship and giving. The occasion was supported by several generous sponsors.

Additionally, our Board Building Meeting was held in March with several newcomers in attendance. This year’s location was the Jolly Pumpkin.

On April 12th, the annual WBA trivia night was held at HopCat in Royal Oak. Proceeds from the event benefit the WBA’s Sarah Killgore Wertman Scholarship. This award is presented at the WBA Annual Dinner to an outstanding woman law student who works, lives, or attends law school in the Oakland Region. Several law firms and bar associations participated. Additionally, family and friends comprised of the “non-legal” world attended. Two fun rounds of trivia, complete with great food and drink, made for a relaxing evening.

In March, Bar Briefs was held at Exfirmentation in Pontiac, while April’s event was held at Town Tavern in Royal Oak.

The highlight of the season was attending WLAM’s Centennial.

Well attended by WBA officers, past leaders, and general members, the evening was successful from start to finish. The evening began with the opportunity to honor the past leaders of WLAM and regions. The past presidents’ reception was also a time of reflection and reminiencing.  Irin Carmon, keynote speaker and co-author of Notorious R.B.G.: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, autographed copies of her book. Attendees had the opportunity to step into a photo booth and receive keepsake photos commemorating the event. The event featured a delicious sit-down dinner where awardees were honored, the new board of WLAM was sworn in, and the keynote address was delivered. Additionally, the premiere of the trailer for the WLAM documentary was featured. The evening concluded with dancing, catching up with old and new friends, and wonderful fellowship. As the theme suggested, the evening was truly a time to “look back” and “move forward” with the exciting next 100 years of WLAM.

Finally, on May 31, 2018, the WBA Annual Dinner was held at the Birmingham Athletic Club. In addition to the new board being sworn in, the Joan Young Judicial Excellence Award, Evelyn Forrest Distinguished Advocate Award, Sarah Killgore Wertman Scholarship, and Member of the Year was presented. This year’s awardees were Justice Marilyn Kelly, attorney Lori Buiteweg, UDM law student Kristin Crowley, and attorney Stephanie Martin.

2018-19 Board of Directors: Tanya Lundberg, President; Erin Flynn, President-Elect; Katie (Katherine) Pacynski, Vice President; Kristina Bilowus, Treasurer; Deanna Kossaras, Recording Secretary; Nicole Coleman, Communications Secretary; Erin Klug, Immediate Past President; Stephanie Martin, Regional Representative

Up next is Bar Briefs in June (stay tuned for details!) and the Summer Planning Meeting on July 21!

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