Practice Sections

If you would like to join a section, please contact Debbie Kurtz

at 454-5550 or debbie@grbar.org. 

MENU:

CRIMINAL LAW 

    What do they do?

The Criminal Law section exists to educate our members about changes in the criminal law, as well as to give practice pointers to those who are new to the practice of criminal law. The Criminal Law Section was created in July 2007 and its first meeting was in September 2007, when a 2007 Criminal Law Review was given by Timothy McMorrow of the Kent County Prosecutor's Office. If you have suggestions for future topics for this section, please e-mail the section chair at the e-mail address listed above.

ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

What do they do?

Benefit GRBA members and the general public by facilitating communication and cooperation among practitioners, the courts, and the public on alternative dispute resolution methods. Develop, sponsor, and carry out continuing legal education programs; collaborate with other organizations and individuals involved with ADR; promote social interaction among GRBA members; and work to improve the quality of ADR services and practices available to the community.

BUSINESS AND TAX

 What do they do?

Review those laws and regulations dealing with the governance, operation and taxation of businesses. The Section shall endeavor to accomplish these purposes by examining proposed legislation and regulations concerning business and taxation law; promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to business and taxation law; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars devoted to those issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

What do they do?

Review laws and regulations dealing with the conservation, protection and development of the natural resources of this State and its environment and to promote the fair and just administration of those laws and regulations which implement the mandate of Article IV, Section 52, of the 1963 Constitution of Michigan. The Section shall endeavor to accomplish these purposes by examining proposed legislation and regulations concerning natural resources and environmental law; promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to natural resources and environmental law; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars and the publication of legal writing devoted to those issues.

SENIORS

Disseminate information of interest to senior members of the Grand Rapids Bar Association; to sponsor meetings of an educational or social nature; to provide counseling to young lawyers; and to serve the public in providing pro bono services to elderly needy citizens.

REAL PROPERTY

Todd A. Hendricks, Chair
Rhoades McKee
161 Ottawa Ave NW Ste. 600
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616/235-3500
Email: thendricks@rhoadesmckee.com

 What do they do?

Provide a means for members of the Grand Rapids Bar Association interested and/or engaged in the practice of real estate law to communicate with one another on matters affecting the practice of real estate law including, but not limited to, the effect of existing and pending legislation, recent case decision, changes in local, state and federal practices and procedures and relationships with public agencies, businesses and community organizations engaged in, affected by or related to real estate. The Section shall provide continuing legal education to members of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and information to the community concerning matters affecting real property law and practice.

FAMILY LAW

    What do they do?

Study the laws, court rules and procedures pertaining to the family. Further, the Section shall involve local practitioners in efforts for the efficient, predictable and civil practice of family law in local courts.

LITIGATION

What do they do? 

Take certain actions to benefit its members and the general public, including but not limited to the following: develop, sponsor and carry out continuing legal education programs; review and analyze legislative developments in areas of substantive law; publish a newsletter; promote social interaction among GRBA members; and advance the level of local court practice.

PROBATE AND ESTATE PLANNING

    What do they do? 

Enhance and improve the practice and administration of law pertaining to probate proceedings by the study of statutes, cases and procedures and by the sponsoring of meetings and dissemination of pamphlets, brochures, and legal writings as a means of educating members of the Bar and the public, all in connection with advancing the efficient administration of trusts and of estates of decedents, minors, incompetents, and missing persons.

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW

What do they do? 

Provide both educational and collegial opportunities. The Section shall endeavor to accomplish these purposes by conducting educational programs on Labor/Employment law, especially new legislation and regulations, promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to Labor/Employment law; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars and the publication of legal writing devoted to those issues.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

What do they do? 

Provide both educational and collegial opportunities. The Section shall endeavor to accomplish these purposes by conducting educational programs on Worker’s Compensation, especially new legislation and regulations, promoting the education of members of the local Bar and general public in those areas pertaining to Worker’s Compensation; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars and the publication of legal writing devoted to those issues.

CORPORATE COUNSEL

What do they do? 

Provide a forum and mechanism to exchange information, including laws and regulations, helpful to lawyers acting as in-house attorneys. The Section shall endeavor to accomplish these purposes by examining proposed legislation and regulations concerning business, corporate employment, contracts, environmental, and other areas of the law; promoting the education of members of the local Bar and the general public in those areas pertaining to the same; and by sponsoring meetings and seminars devoted to those issues.

LEGAL ASSISTANTS

What do they do? 

Encourage a high order of ethical and professional attainment, including but not limited to continuing the educational needs of Legal Assistants; promotion of the profession; the exchange of ideas among members, and support of pro bono work within the legal community.

SOLO AND SMALL FIRMS

What do they do?

Provide a forum for networking among its membership, with a focus on exchanging practical information regarding solo/small firm administration issues (e.g., computer software, staffing, purchasing, etc.) and informal exchanges on legal topics of general interest. It is anticipated that the Section will provide both formal and informal opportunities for support, mentoring and consultation to the membership.

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

What do they do? 

All regular members of the Association who have not reached their 36th birthday or who have been practicing less than five years are automatically members of the Young Lawyers Division. These members pay no dues other than those necessary to maintain membership in the Grand Rapids Bar Association. Managed by its Executive Committee, YLS members enjoy opportunities to network and participate in activities that contribute to their personal and professional enrichment.