Greetings,
It feels safe to say and have data to confirm we are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions lift, we are able to venture out and begin to reconnect with relatives and friends, albeit in limited numbers. As a society, we are seeing our way forward because of our collective efforts.
Our Court doors will open gradually and safely. We have a template for our “new normal”: remote court services, remote work, and Zoom meetings are a part of that new normal. Details are being finalized and will be shared in upcoming messages and meetings. But everything isn’t new. In-person jury trials are slated to resume July 19th, and the collective commitment and kindness needed to fuel the operations of the Court are not new either. Amid a myriad of challenges, our judges and staff have demonstrated their commitment throughout the pandemic. Now it is 15 months later, we are at the dawn of a new normal, and we are ready.
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Judge Chandra W. Baker’s Investiture was held on the Detroit waterfront at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre on June 9th. The program was opened with Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny, Chief Judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court. The Mistress of Ceremonies was Attorney Lisa Timmons, Executive Director, Mediation Tribunal Assoc. Remarks were had by Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington; Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa A. Hammoud; Hon. Mark T. Slavens; Rick Blocker, Chairman of the 14 Congressional District Democrats; the Honorable Ulysses W. Boykin; and Michael E. Wagner. Reverend Nicholas Hood, III was also a speaker and the Honoree’s niece and best friend Kennedy Jones and Lia Shreve, respectively. The Honorable Denise Paige Hood, Chief Judge of the United States District Court Eastern District of Michigan did the honors of swearing in Judge Baker. The event was attended by many family, friends, and members of the legal community.
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Friend of the Court Careers: A Life in Public Service
The great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
For any attorney who has pondered their current career path and felt as though their career trajectory has been missing the “doing for others” piece of which Dr. King spoke, a career at the Friend of the Court might just be the cure for that problem. Wayne County Friend of the Court currently has positions open for Family Domestic Referees and Friend of the Court Attorneys. Both of these career opportunities at the Friend of the Court offer a place for those dedicated to public service, specifically those dedicated to public service for families and children.
Benefits of working for the Wayne County Friend of the Court include a better work-life balance. There are no hours to bill, no clients from which to request payments, no late evening or weekend phone calls and a steady, every two week paycheck. The work is voluminous and can, at times, be stressful, but there is a point in the day in which you can stop working and disconnect from the job. There is a huge sense of fulfillment in knowing that you are helping improve the lives of children in Wayne County, either by helping get paternity established, get a child support entered, enforce a child support order or assist to enforce a parent seeking parenting time.
Another benefit of working at the Wayne County Friend of the Court is working with and for a diverse group of people. Arguably the most diverse county in the State of Michigan, Wayne County services families from various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The Third Circuit Court recognizes diversity and inclusion is a pillar of excellence, and is committed to recruiting and hiring individuals of all races, genders, colors, religions, and other diverse identities. A diverse talent pool and an inclusive work culture allow the Court to innovate and employ best practices, build trust and confidence in the judicial branch of government, and to provide exemplary public services and programs.
Keeping this in mind, the Wayne County Friend of the Court has expanded its efforts in recruiting for the current open legal positions. Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny, Presiding Judge Kathleen M. McCarthy, Executive Court Administrator Zenell Brown, and Friend of the Court Erin Lincoln attended various diversity bar meetings, such as the Wolverine Bar Association, D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, and Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, in order to speak about the Family Domestic Section and the job opportunities available. In addition, a virtual session was held to give those interested in Friend of the Court work a more in-depth view of the day-to-day work of Friend of the Court Referees and Attorneys.
For those asking themselves Dr. King’s most persistent and urgent question and deciding that a life dedicated to public service at Wayne County Friend of the Court might be the right path, please visit www.3rdcc.org for job postings and more information on how to apply.
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Erin Lincoln serves as the Friend of the Court/Deputy Court Administrator for Third Judicial Circuit Court. In 2008, after asking herself what she was doing for others, Ms. Lincoln left the life of private practice for a career as a Friend of the Court Attorney. She has not looked back since.
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National Black Men in Leadership Summit
On April 27, 2021 the Michigan Diversity County presented the National Black Men in Leadership Summit. The theme of the 2021 Summit was “Advancing Black Male Leaders: The Voice, Truths, and Power of Black Men.” The Summit was held via live video and included a keynote address, panel discussions, and breakout session.
Detroit native, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson – Georgetown University Professor, Public Intellectual, Best-Selling Author and MSNBC Analyst – delivered a powerful and dynamic keynote address to kick off the Summit.
The roster of panelists included an impressive array of black male leaders, including executives from various corporations; professional athletes; Detroit Fox 2 News anchormen Lee Thomas and Josh Landon; and Wayne County Probate Judge David A. Perkins. Panel discussions included conversations about the importance of black male mentorship; dignity, trust, and respect; and development, empowerment, and success. The breakout sessions included engaging “rap sessions” and critical conversations relating to leadership development and advancement.
Only 1% of Fortune 500 CEOs are African American. Black men are vastly underrepresented in the C-Suite with only 3 black male CEOs currently in the Fortune 500. The panelists challenged corporations to make good on their diversity pledges by recruiting from historically black colleges and universities and developing the talent through mentorship and sponsorship.
The panelists openly shared the struggles and obstacles they experienced to get where they are, but more importantly they shared their success stories that we can all learn from. They also discussed the need for diversity in corporate America, the stigma of mental health and homosexuality in the black community, interactions with the police, and they dismantled stereotypes.
The goal of the Summit was “to educate, inspire, and encourage attendees to reflect on their own goals and status as they strive to advance within their respective organizations” and they certainly met that mark. The perspectives and experiences shared by the panelists was informative; the vulnerability of the panelists and their success stories was inspiring; and the diversity charge was clear – it starts with you, and that by educating one, and that one telling a friend, and that friend telling another friend, is how you effectuate change.
Author: Jillian Fitzgerald
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Happy Retirement
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program bid a fond farewell to its Director, Roland Smith, of 18 years on, Friday, April 30, 2021. The farewell celebration was like none other. Many gathered to honor Roland in a unique way, via Zoom. During the celebration, Roland received the “Heaven on Earth Award” for providing exceptional service to the children and families of Wayne County as the Director of CASA. Many attendees shared funny stories of the past, some shared stories of heart tugging cases in which Roland handled with the utmost grace, while others watched with smiles on their faces as Roland humbly and not so humbly at times (insert laughter) expressed his appreciation for all of the kind words and well wishes. Roland Smith, who is also known as “Thee Master of Ceremonies” at LHJ and throughout the Court, will truly be missed. To the true definition of a “Consummate Professional”… Farewell.
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Fran Yturri is the 2021 recipient of the Detroit Bar Association’s Pro Bono Service Award. “To work for the common good is the noblest creed. To do so with excellence is the highest accomplishment.” Fran Yturri is a judicial attorney to the Hon. Patricia Perez Fresard. She began working for the Third Circuit Court in 2005 and has served as a judicial attorney for judges in both the Civil and Family Divisions of the Court. Prior to joining the Court, she was an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) attorney, and also has experience as a civil rights litigator. She received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. When not at the Court, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
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On Thursday, May 20, 2021, Commissioner Bonnie Leone was reappointed as a Wayne County Third Circuit Court Jury Commissioner effective May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2027. Bonnie has been a loyal serving member of the Jury Commission since 1997. Her duties include felony review for jurors, qualification of jury questionnaires, outreach, mail sorting, and any additional duties as they arise.
Commissioner Leone took the oath before Chief Judge Timothy Kenny on Thursday, May 27, 2021 (shown above). Commissioner Leone, Congratulations on your reappointment and thank you for your many dedicated years of service to the Third Circuit Court Jury Services Department.
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Jourdan May is The 1st Place winner in the 2020 Annual Report Cover Contest
Jourdan May, a senior at William D. Ford Career Center, was the first place winner in the Third Circuit Court 2020 Annual Report Cover Contest.
This is the second year that the COVID pandemic prevented Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny of the Third Circuit Court from making an in-person visit to the winner’s school to present the laptop prize and certificate and taking a commemorative photo. Therefore, Chief Judge Kenny and his administrative staff invited Jourdan and the other top winners, along with their parents, godparents, grandparents, and teachers, to participate in a virtual celebration on June 3rd.
Jourdan had a village of supporters join the virtual celebration for the Annual Report Cover Contest winners. In fact, Jourdan’s proud godmother was the first to join on the Zoom meeting. Jourdan’s mom is Kimberly May, and Jourdan is an only child who has always loved art and drawing. As he got older, Jourdan’s interest in art developed into a passion. He began learning animation and 3-D art; and eventually discovered graphic design. He eventually joined a graphic design class at William D. Ford and from there, his skills have flourished. A big reason for that is his teacher, Mr. Benglian. Mr. Benglian’s honesty and knowledge of graphic design helped Jourdan improve and get to the point where he is now. Jourdan shared he has one pet named RV (Rosievelt), and he plans to pursue a career in graphic design. He would like to attend College for Creative Studies or CalArts for Illustration.
Chief Judge Kenny also acknowledged the work of the other second and third place winners during the virtual celebration.
The second place winner, Rodney Barrow, Jr., is the son of Andrea and Rodney Barrow. Rodney attends William D. Ford Career Center. Rodney Barrow, Jr. is a senior at Romulus High School. He has been an all A and B student since the 3rd grade. He likes to have fun and relax at home with his family. He also enjoys taking care of others. He will be majoring in Electrical Engineering at Michigan State University in the fall.
The third place winner, A’Marieon Holmes, is a senior at William D. Ford Career Center. He loves making music, acting, and helping people. He will be majoring in modeling, music, and acting. He promises that this will not be the last time you hear about him.
Representatives from Court Administration delivered the awards prior to the virtual ceremony and took photos of the awardees in preparation for the celebration. Of course, the staff and awardees observed the safety protocols and guidelines. At the virtual ceremony, Chief Judge Kenny congratulated the winners and wished them well in their future pursuits.
The following students participated in the 2020 Annual Report Contest and will receive a gift card and certification of participation.
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The Third Circuit Court’s Annual Report Cover contest opens in March each year. Submissions for the Third Circuit Court’s Annual Report Contest continue to increase. The contest is open to students who live in Wayne County or attend school in Wayne County. In addition to the opportunity for students to have their artwork grace the cover of the annual report, students have an opportunity for their artwork to be a part of various Third Circuit Court publications throughout the year. The students are given credit when the artwork is printed. All students who enter receive a gift card and certificate of participation signed by the Chief Judge. With the support of educators, like Deborah Nash of the Romulus High School and Mark Benglian of William D. Ford Career Center, these students are afforded the opportunity to be acknowledged for their skills and talents. Other educators who are interested in getting their students involved may reach out to the Third Circuit Court at ExecutiveCourtAdministrationOffice@3rdcc.org.
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Great Day Good People!!!
I attended the Advocacy and Allyship Seminar “Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander” presented by the Michigan Diversity Council. This seminar topic was a great opportunity to learn skills on how to make others not feel left out, singled out, and mistreated. Also, we discussed strategies on how to communicate with others about excluding people from group activities.
Meeting new people at work can sometimes make others a little nervous. Instead of getting to know them, they get pushed away. That does not make for a harmonious environment. Upstanders will step in and help the situation by bringing a positive outlook. This may involve inviting the new person to an after-work gathering, speaking positively about the skills the new person might bring to the workplace, or simply introducing their self and offering to show them around. There are many ways to be an Upstander; it just takes someone willing to make that initial contact.
When an opportunity presents itself to include a new coworker in a group project and someone purposely stirs the group away from the idea and no one speaks up, therein lies your Bystanders. The Bystander will see the unfairness or inappropriate behavior and do nothing to improve the situation. They may feel nervous about speaking up, don’t know how to approach the situation, or just don’t want to get involved. Staying on the sidelines doesn’t necessarily make you a bad guy but just think what if it were you? Would you want to be left in the cold or wish someone would have made you feel more welcome?
Take a moment to look in the mirror. Who are you? The Upstander or Bystander? This seminar brought to light an issue that might not have been thought about. Including or excluding a person can determine the tone of the space you share with others. Keep it positive, friendly, and none judgmental. You might be passing up your new best friend. So, don’t be afraid to be an Upstander the outcome can make someone’s day.
Author: K. Johnson
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Jordan Taylor is a 2021 Cristo Rey Graduate Candidate and completed a virtual internship with Court Administration at the Third Circuit Court. As Jordan has not planned on pursuing a career in law, his internship was based on examining the justice system with the goals of becoming an informed citizen. Throughout his internship, Jordan has shared his insights in a corner of the Court’s newsletter, “Court Insights from GenZ with Jordan Taylor.” Jordan has met with various judges, supervisors, and managers and had the opportunity to talk with 36th District Court Administrator LaWanda Crosby. Jordan has gained an inside view of jury service, driving responsibilities, criminal trial court, and the impact of family and juvenile court. He admitted the television and movie portrayals of the justice system are far from accurate and complete. Most recently, some of Jordan’s insights were published in the Detroit Legal News, and the Court gave him a commemorative plaque of the article. Jordan Taylor is pictured holding the plaque with his Dad, Jemone Taylor.
The Court’s Executive Administrative Team was able to host a virtual last day celebration as Jordan ended his internship and imparted great advice for him to take into his next venture.
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IN MEMORY OF THOSE WE LOST
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In Loving Memory:
Your presence we miss, your memory we treasure, loving you always,
forgetting you never.
Lisa Robinson, Retiree, served the Court as a Document Management – Family Domestic Division.
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THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CALENDAR
The Third Circuit Court Diversity and Inclusion Team’s Mission: "We appreciate our common connection and respect our diverse and unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization as we provide accessible and equal justice."
The Court’s Diversity & Inclusion Team strives to ensure the values of its diverse bench, staff, and court users are acknowledged and reflected in our delivery of service as well as our work environment.
In that spirit, the team creates and shares a monthly list of various holidays and observations along with some celebration suggestions. We invite our work community and the community at large to contribute.
Canada Day - July 1
Independence Day - July 4
World Population Day - July 11
Bastille Day - July 14
Tisha B’Av (Start) - July 17-18
Nelson Mandela International Day - July 18
Day of Arafah - July 18 – July 19
Colombian Independence Day - July 20
Eid al-Adha - July 19 – July 20
National Cousins Day - July 24
International Self-Care Day - July 24
Parents’ Day - July 25
Peru Independence Day - July 28
International Day of Friendship - July 30
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