Court and Community News from the Third Judicial Circuit

December 2024

Chief Judge Fresard is the 20th recipient of the Dennis W. Archer Public Service Award

Third Circuit Court Chief Judge Patricia Perez Fresard was the recipient of the 20th Annual Dennis W. Archer Public Service Award. She was recognized with the award by the Detroit Bar Association on November 14 at the Detroit Yacht Club. Recipients are chosen by the Detroit Bar Association Foundation.

Archer Award winners all have one thing in common – each is an attorney or jurist who exemplifies the ideal of the law as public service. Judge Fresard sits on the boards of La Sed, the Detroit Bar Association Foundation, and the Mediation Tribunal Association. She is also a member of Wayne County’s Gun Violence Reduction Task Force. In her role as Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court, Judge Fresard has allocated time, talent, and resources to the crafting of a Diversity and Inclusion Plan for the Court. 

Judge Fresard has served as a judge since 1999, initially in the Third Circuit Court’s Criminal Division, where she tried over 500 cases and was instrumental in establishing Wayne County’s Drug Court. Before her time as a judge, she spent numerous years as a prosecutor.

“I am extremely humbled to be recognized with this award, especially when you see the list of past recipients” Fresard said. “Justice and Mayor Archer has been an inspiration to those of us fortunate enough to be in public service.”

The gala attracted a packed house of attendees to the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle. It was hosted by FOX 2 TV anchor and attorney Charlie Langton. Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Third Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Pro Tem Leslie Kim Smith and Third Judicial Circuit Judge Edward Ewell, Jr. were among the numerous attendees who paid tribute to Judge Fresard at the gala.

Proceeds from the gala funds free legal clinics and community outreach programs in Wayne County. Visit the Detroit Bar Association to learn more.  

Adoption Day celebrates the more than 300 adoptions processed in Wayne County in 2024

It was a celebration of family and love when the Court held its annual Adoption Day celebration for Wayne County families on Friday, November 22 at the 13th Floor Auditorium at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit. It was hosted by the Court's Family Juvenile Presiding Judge Sheila Ann Gibson and Judge Karen Braxton. Among the speakers were Michigan State Supreme Court Justice Megan Cavanaugh, Third Circuit Court Chief Judge Patricia Perez Fresard Michigan Department of Health & Human Services State Division Administrator Romell Green.

The Court handled nearly 400 adoptions a year ago and similar numbers are expected in 2024. The Court’s Family Division also handles three times more cases than the next largest Circuit Court in Michigan. This event featured three families who had recently finalized their adoptions. However, it was a celebration for all the successful adoptions in the county this year, and served as a "thank you" to everyone involved from the families, to the judges, to Court officials, case workers, social workers and anyone who helps make adoption a reality.

The Third Judicial Circuit finalizes adoptions for families who have successfully fostered children that were removed from their parents or guardian’s care and custody on Adoption Day. These families are committed to giving the fostered children a “forever family.” The Court also provides additional support and resources through its Family Assessment Services specialty program.

Thank you to the Court staff who are involved in making adoptions in Wayne County possible. There are more than 10,000 children awaiting adoption throughout the state of Michigan. Every little bit helps!

Above: Lauren and Matthew Kolnik and their son Elijah celebrate the adoption of Juliette along with Judge Karen Braxton.

Below: Meghan and Sarah Street and their daughter Addison celebrate the adoption of Zy'Aire.

Friend of the Court's Legal Department hires new staff attorneys

The FOC's Legal Department is proud to announce the hiring of four new staff attorneys: Myeshia Cole, Kelly Barum, Alisha Jennings and Alaa Ismail.

Myeshia (far left) graduated from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2019 and was admitted to the bar in 2023. She formerly worked in private practice for a solo practitioner, focusing on family law. When Myeshia isn’t working she enjoys reading, writing, going to the gym and spending time with her precious 3-month-old son.

Kelly (far right, above) graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1995. Prior to coming to the Legal Department, Kelly served as Adoptions Coordinator in the Juvenile Section of the Court. When not working she enjoys reading and watching British detective shows.

Alisha was previously in private practice focused on Family Law and Estate Planning. She earned her joint J.D. and MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. Prior to practicing law, Alisha worked for Ford Motor Company in Human Resources, and lived overseas for many years in Thailand and China. In her free time, Alisha loves to Salsa dance and continue to travel abroad.

Alaa received his LLM degree from Minnesota Law School in 2019 and his JD from Akron Law School in 2022. He was admitted to Michigan and New York Bar in 2023. Prior to his position with the Friend of the Court, Alaa worked as a Staff Attorney at Lakeshore Legal Aid representing clients in divorce and family law matters. When he is not working, Alaa enjoys going to the gym and spend time with friends. 

Alisha Jennings and Alaa Ismail

General Counsel hires a new Self-Help Center Court Services Navigator

The General Counsel’s Office is happy to announce the hiring of Michelle Schefsky, who is working in the Self-Help Center as a Court Services Navigator.

Michelle has over 20 years of experience in the legal field as a legal secretary. She has two children and four bonus children with her husband Mike as part of a large and busy blended family. Michelle looks forward to being able to work with the public and Court employees as part of her new job.

Outside of work, Michelle spends time going for nature walks, star gazing, and binge-watching shows on Netflix.

Large turnout for November's Free Child Support Program

Pictured left to right: Sherita Jones, Carl Meyer, Matthew Chivell, Steven Burzynski, Amy Roemer, Mohammad Mani, Rubina Mustafa, Flora Ujkic, Ashley Chalut, Kelsey Minor, Matt Catchick, Shemika Askew, Kory Shimek, Abby Carlsen, Sean Blume, Sydney Gebara, Jason Tower, Cara Koeske, Roquia Draper, Sana Will, Eileen Scheff, and Carmen Rankin.

The Court hosted a Free Child Support Help Program, sponsored by the Salvation Army William Booth Legal Aid Clinic on November 9 at the Wayne County Community College District Northwest Campus. Nearly 70 individuals came to receive free assistance from a group of 17 volunteer attorneys.

Friend of the Court Deputy Court Administrator Erin Lincoln opened the event with welcoming remarks and personally thanked all of the attorney and staff volunteers; William Booth Legal Aid Clinic Director Amy Roemer gave a short presentation on services the Clinic provides; and Domestic Relations Supervisor Leslie Murphy provided an overview of the State Discharge of Arrears Program. 

Several community service providers were on site to offer their services, including The Children’s Center, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Child Support, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Focus: HOPE, Jury Services and Head Start.

The volunteer attorneys helped individuals with their child support, custody, and parenting time issues during the program. The Friend of the Court received almost 15 applications for the State Discharge of Arrears Program. The overwhelming turnout of parents demonstrated the need for this type of legal support in the community.  

A special thanks to all Friend of the Court and Call Center employees who helped organize and run the program and for whom this event would not have been possible – Michele Bradford, Lynette Brinson, Ellis Dixon, Melonie Fletcher, Derrick Ford, Lori Kaczmarek, Heather Lutz, Chernel Moore, Jermeka Moore, Leslie Murphy, Renee Nash, Dwight Person, Shani Sanders, Scott Svireff, Tom Smellie, and Daryl Thornton. In addition, thank you to the Salvation Army William Booth Legal Aid Clinic and its staff and volunteers for their help and support. 

Finally, the Court appreciates the Wayne County Community College District Northwest Campus for providing the event space and their hospitality. It is a perfect venue for these important events. 

Pictured left to right: Michele Bradford, Jermeka Moore, Tom Smellie, Erin Lincoln, Daryl Thornton, Heather Lutz, Dominique Peacock, Derrick Ford, Shani Sanders, Scott Svireff, Jillian Fitzgerald, Leslie Murphy, Ellis Dixon, Renee Nash, Chernel Moore, Melonie Fletcher, Dwight Pearson

Supporting our community this holiday season

Our judges at Third Circuit Court Civil Division recently donated 269 pounds of food and $500 in monetary donations to Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit as part of their holiday food drive. 

Celebrating the holidays with food and friends at the Court

Many thanks to the Court's Civil Division for throwing a holiday luncheon celebration for the entire Court staff along with our friends at the Wayne County Sheriff's Department, Allied Security and more.

Annual Report Cover Contest opens for Wayne County high school students

The Court is once again hosting its Annual Report Cover Contest. High school students with graphic design experience attending any school in Wayne County are eligible to apply! There will be prizes for the top three designs. First place will win a $500 gift card, plus will have their design serve as the cover of the Court’s 2024 Annual Report.

Details for the contest, including rules and regulations, are available on the Court’s website. Applications will be accepted between January 10 and January 31, with all applicants needing to turn their cover art in by 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. They must have a parent or guardian approve their inclusion as an applicant. All cover submissions will be considered by a committee comprised of Court employees during the month of February with the first, second and third place finishes named by early March.

Help us spread the word about this great opportunity for high school students with graphic design skills located throughout all of Wayne County!