Court and Community News from the Third Judicial Circuit

August 2024

Supporting Local Law School Students

Top: Wayne State University School of Law students following their visit to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. Middle: Students visit during on July 1 with Judge Bradley Cobb in his courtroom. Bottom: (l to r): Judge Helal Farhat, Judge Qiana Denise Lillard and Chief Judge Patricia Perez Fresard preside over the Moot Court on July 26.

Wayne State Law School Summer Program - July 1

Students from the Wayne State Law School Summer program visited the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice on July 1. The students were able to shadow multiple criminal proceedings such as jury selection, probation violation, sentencing, an ongoing high-profile jury case and more.

They were very impressed with the judges and the multiple issues that they must handle from day to day. We thank the criminal bench for opening up their courtrooms to the aspiring law students for education and information. Fortunately, the Wayne State students learned from the best!

Exploring Careers in the Law Moot Court - July 26

A total of 22 students and seven faculty members from the Michigan State Supreme Court's Exploring Careers in the Law 2024 Moot Court gathered at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on July 26 for a moot trial where students prepared oral arguments in front of members of the Third Judicial Circuit Bench.

A Moot Court is an appellate court simulation in which a hypothetical case is argued before a panel of judges. It is not a trial with witnesses and a jury. The three-judge panel included Chief Judge Patricia Perez Fresard, Judge Helal Farhat and Judge Qiana Denise Lillard.

Students from the Moot Court came from multiple high schools Southeastern Michigan. We're happy to be a part of educating the next generation of legal leaders!

The Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers (ISIAL) conducted its Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 27, at Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina in Detroit. During the evening, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Muriel Hughes was honored with the Charles R. Rutherford Jr. Award. That award is given in honor of the late Charles R. Rutherford Jr. to a deserving ISIAL member who shows a consistent and meaningful commitment to community service.

The inscription on the award given to Judge Hughes reads, “ A Lawyer whose Integrity, Compassion and Courage Renders Justice”. Her recognition was featured in the Legal News.

"This award means so much to me coming from the ISIAL which is a great bar association," says Judge Hughes.

Congratulations to Judge Hughes!

FOC Attorney Carl Meyer Retires After 39 Years of Service

Friend of the Court Attorney Carl Meyer has retired after 39 years of service to the families of Wayne County. Carl joined the FOC in 1988. He has collected millions of dollars in unpaid child support for the families of Wayne County through show cause/contempt hearings and liens on worker’s compensation, civil, probate cases. Carl has served as FOC attorney to several Third Circuit Court Family Domestic judges, including Judge Jeanne Stempien, Judge Muriel Hughes, Judge Lisa Neilson, Judge Mary Beth Kelly, and Judge Susan Dabaja.

The Friend of the Court celebrated Carl on Wednesday, July 17^th, 2024. His son, Corey, daughter-in-law, Liz, and granddaughter, Riley, were in attendance as well as several retired FOC staff members including Dawn Pitcher, Steve Malyn, and Jessica Walker.

“The Friend of the Court will miss Carl Meyer greatly! Carl was a Friend of the Court attorney when I started at the Friend over 16 years ago. He is so knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. He was always one who would help and guide new attorneys in their training. We wish him well in his retirement!” – Erin Lincoln, Friend of the Court/Deputy Court Administrator.

“I have been fortunate to work with Carl for the last 16 years. I have learned so much from him during that time as an attorney and a person. Carl is one of the most generous and kind-hearted individuals I have had the pleasure of calling my friend and colleague. He has always been one of the fiercest collectors of child support and his passion has not diminished in his 39 years with the FOC. He will be missed tremendously.” – Jillian Fitzgerald, Assistant Friend of the Court/Legal Director.

Carl was recently celebrated by the State Bar of Michigan at their annual 50-Year Golden Celebration luncheon at the Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth. He was honored along with his colleagues who have been State Bar members since 1974. Carl is looking forward to spending time with his two-year-old granddaughter, Riley, and volunteering at Crossroads.   

Welcoming Whitnee Rainey back to Friend of the Court 

Whitnee Rainey returns to the Friend of the Court in the Information Services Review and Modification Department as a Domestic Relations Specialist. She last work for the FOC in 2018.

Since leaving the Court, Whitnee worked for a period of time as a foster care specialist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She's also both handy and helpful with a background working for Home Depot, spending the last four years as an employee at the retailer's corporate office.

Whitnee is excited to be back at the Friend of the Court where she feels most supported and is looking forward to gaining more knowledge. She enjoys spending time with family, taking walks with her dog Twinkle, and going to concerts.  

Did you hear? The CJC is coming soon!

The public opening of the new Criminal Justice Center in Wayne County is about one month away! August will be a busy time for moving the Court's Criminal division to the CJC from IT equipment and files, to personal items and more. Simply put, this is the largest "move" for the Third Judicial Circuit in decades and we're excited that it is almost completed!

Look for more updates in next month's issue about what makes the CJC such a great facility for the entire Wayne County community, and judges, referees and employees! Thank you to all who are working behind the scenes to ensure this move goes well.