Law Day Events

Thursday, May 1, 2008
Community Forum at the Flint Public Library, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Topic: Michigan's Drivers' Responsibility Fees: Why Do We Have Them? Can They Have Devastating Effects? Should They Be Amended or Abolished?
Refreshments. No Charge.

See event flier: GCBA Law Day Activities for ABA Website (PDF)

Detroit Explores and Celebrates Law Day at the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse

To celebrate Law Day 2008, the U.S. District Court and the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter are sponsoring an open house from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse, located at 231 W. Lafayette Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan.

This complimentary program is open to the public and will include courthouse tours, an "Ask the Lawyer" pro bono program, and exhibitions of bomb-sniffing dogs, counterfeit currency and confiscated firearms. Free hot dogs, chips, soft drinks — and even free legal advice — will be available for all visitors. Please remember to bring photo I.D. and that cell phones are not permitted in the courthouse. Visit the Events & Activities menu of the Federal Bar Association of Michigan website (www.fbamich.org) for details.

Participating agencies include: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Coast Guard, Border Patrol, Consumer Bankruptcy Association, Courthouse Museum, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Defender's Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, National Labor Relations Board, Region 7, Pretrial Services, United States Secret Service, U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. District Court, U.S. Probation, U.S. Marshals Service and Wayne County Sheriff's Department.

For more information, please contact either Dan Sharkey at sharkey@butzel.com, or Dona Tracey at dona.tracey@va.gov Media contact: Daniel Sharkey, Butzel Long – 248 258 2908

While the official celebration of Law Day is several months away, all of the 650 students at L'Anse Creuse Middle School North, located in Macomb, Michigan, have already been immersed in thought about this year's theme, "The Rule of Law", in their social studies classes.

This is the eighth year of our school's participation in the law Day Essay contest, sponsored by the Michigan's Lawyers' Auxiliary and State Bar of Michigan. My principal, John DaVia, who also holds a law degree, relishes the opportunity this affords our students to discuss the Constitution and its founding principles. Having the opportunity to put their thoughts on paper, writing for that "real world audience" of lawyers and judges, is an unforgettable experience for our students.

This contest, chaired by Mary Ann Farris, is the perfect opportunity for our students to reflect on constitutional law, appreciating its value. Mary Ann's daughter, a lawyer, creates the seven "should" questions each year that students select from, writing a "position paper", which is an integral part of our state's social studies curriculum. Students write a persuasive essay, taking a stand on an issue, and supporting it in three ways—with a core democratic value, with prior knowledge learned from social studies, and with data, which is this contest is a decision made by the Supreme Court. John Da Via relishes the opportunity to speak to each and every one of our 21 social studies classes about these Supreme Court cases, as the students decide which of the 7 questions they wish to address. This year’s questions included: Should a police officer have the discretion to determine whether to use a "no knock" policy when executing a search warrant? Should prisoners at Guantanamo Bay have the right to habeas corpus? Should a high school library be allowed to install filters on their computers to restrict internet access?

Mary Ann Farris does an exceptional job organizing this contest, which culminates at the reception held on Law Day in our state's capital, recognizing adolescents for their outstanding thinking and writing skills. North's Principal, teachers, and students all anxiously await the results of this year's contest, which will be announced in April.

• Bar associations through out the state will host luncheons, mock trials, essay and poster contests and provide free legal advice on Law Day.
• Winners of Liberty Bell awards announced by local bars. Names are then submitted to the State Bar for consideration of its statewide Liberty Bell Award presented at the Annual Meeting in September.
• State Bar of Michigan leaders will hit the airways to discuss: law day theme, history of law day, Access to Justice and other issues related to the legal profession.
• A Law Day Luncheon at the Hall of Justice in Lansing to honor sixth, seventh and eighth grade state-wide essay contest winners.
• Display of Law Day Art Contest winners in the State Bar lobby.
• Distribution of "You and the Law" booklets.

For more information contact, Naseem A Stecker, Media and Public Relations Manager, State Bar of Michigan at nstecker@mail.michbar.org