COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The ADR Committee provides a forum for supporting minority ADR practitioners and educating WBA members, the legal community, and the general public on issues related to alternative dispute resolution.

Barristers’ Ball

The Barristers' Ball committee is responsible for overseeing all details related to the annual Barristers’ Ball sponsored by the Wolverine Bar Foundation.  The Ball is the primary fundraising event for the WBF’s charitable activities.

Bylaws

The Bylaws committee evaluates the bylaws on a regular basis and makes recommendations to the WBA board and general membership about suggested revisions.

Community Outreach

The Community Outreach committee coordinates free legal education programs, pro bono services, and charitable events focused on helping metro Detroiters.  This committee also provides support to high school and law students through diversity pipeline initiatives.

Finance

Chaired by the treasurer, the Finance committee makes recommendations to the board regarding the development of the WBA budget and financial policy.

Golf Tournament

The Golf Tournament committee is responsible for coordinating a golf outing in conjunction with other local bar associations.

Holiday Party

The Holiday Party committee coordinates the WBA’s annual holiday party, which is a networking event co-hosted by the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association.  Proceeds from the event benefit a local charity.

Judicial Externship

The Judicial Externship Program (JEP) committee coordinates all aspects of the JEP, which seeks to increase the representation of minority law school graduates among the ranks of clerks working in the federal judiciary.  The JEP committee achieves this goal by helping well-qualified minority law students gain valuable experience as federal judicial externs in the United States District Court for Eastern District of Michigan. 

Judicial Selection

The Judicial Selection committee evaluates candidates for judicial office based upon, amongst other things, the candidate’s legal ability, relevant experience, scholarship, civic involvement, reputation, temperament, and commitment to diversity.  The Committee does not endorse any candidate for judicial office, but issues written ratings after reviewing the candidate's questionnaire and conducting an in-person interview.

Law Student Reception

The Law Student Reception committee coordinates with the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association to host an annual mixer that provides an opportunity for law students to meet and network with judges and attorneys who practice in Wayne and Oakland Counties.

Membership

The Membership committee is responsible for developing programs and initiatives that will promote, support, and expand the WBA's membership.  The Membership committee also coordinates the annual membership drive and makes recommendations on the development of programs and services of interest to current and prospective members. The committee also encourages active participation in the WBA.

Media, Communications & Newsletter

The Media, Communications & Newsletter committee generates communications about the WBA’s activities and services and provides information that aims to enhance members’ knowledge about the organizations.  This committee oversees the electronic newsletter. 

Minority Bar Passage Program

The Minority Bar Passage Program (MBPP) is designed to improve bar passage rates of minority law school graduates sitting for the Michigan Bar Exam.  Through weekly examinations, a mock bar examination, group sessions and lectures by local attorneys, the MBPP provides assistance in the areas of: (i) Essay Writing Skills/Strategy; (ii) Test Taking Skills/Strategy; (iii) Time Management; and (iv) Stress Management.

MLK Oral Advocacy Competition

Co-hosted by the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, this annual competition is designed to promote the written and oral communication skills of high school juniors and seniors.  The program provides both mentorship and financial support to the competitors in support of their educational goals. 

Nominations

The Nominations committee is responsible for overseeing the process of nominating the WBA's officers and board of directors.  Officers and board members are elected each year during the WBA's Annual Meeting held in May.

President's Dinner

The President's Dinner committee’s primary task is to coordinate all details related to the annual year-end celebration for the outgoing presidents of the WBA and the Association of Black Judges of Michigan.

Scholarship

The Scholarship committee selects recipients of the Wolverine Bar Foundation Scholarship and the Damon J. Keith Award and Scholarship.  The award winners are typically recognized at the Damon J. Keith Luncheon held in the late spring.

Summer Clerkship Program

The Summer Clerkship Program (SCP) committee coordinates the WBA’s annual summer clerkship program, which is designed to increase the number of minority attorneys employed as partners, associates, in-house counsel, and similarly well-respected positions within the legal community.  The SCP places first-year students at law firms and corporations in the metropolitan Detroit community in furtherance of the program’s goals.

Website

The Website committee oversees the development and maintenance of the WBA’s website, www.wbadirect.org.