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Law & the Media Committee

Jurisdiction

  • Develop, recommend, and support programs that promote a positive relationship between the law and the media.
  • Study and identify sources of friction between the courts, lawyers, and the electronic and print press, and recommend solutions.

    • 2011-2012 Committee Members

Meeting Dates

    Please check with Administrative Assistant Joyce Nordeen for any changes to meeting dates by calling (517) 346-6373 or e-mailing jnordeen@mail.michbar.org

Programs

    News Room Seminars

      The State Bar of Michigan's Law & the Media Committee provides, as a public service, "Newsroom Seminars" regarding coverage of legal proceedings in the State of Michigan to interested news organizations. The seminars, which last just an hour and are free of charge, aim to address some of the common practical and substantive difficulties that journalists encounter in covering the legal system in Michigan. View a video clip from a recent seminar or download a pdf of seminar topics. The format for each seminar is a discussion, rather than lecture, in which hypothetical fact patterns are used. Participation by the news organization's staff in the discussion is encouraged and helpful. Members of the Law & the Media Committee who are attorneys as well as current or former journalists generally run and moderate the seminars. Other seminar participants also often include local judges or attorneys with whom the news staff members are familiar, as well as other officials of the State Bar. Newsroom seminars have met with enthusiasm in newsrooms around the state. For further information or to schedule a seminar for your newsroom, please contact committee Chair Thomas Howlett at (248) 540-3333 or thowlett@googasian.com.

    Dealing with the Media

      The State Bar of Michigan's Law and the Media Committee arranges programs on "Dealing with the Media" for attorneys. The programs, which are ideally suited for local bar association events, provide practical advice regarding how to handle inquiries from media representatives, as well as review of the ethical contours of extrajudicial statements by attorneys. The seminars, which last about one hour and are free of charge, are moderated by attorneys from the Law and the Media Committee, many of whom also are current or former journalists. Each seminar generally also features one or more members of the local media involved in coverage of the legal system. The seminars are given in a discussion format, rather than lecture, with use of hypothetical fact patterns to encourage participation from the attorneys in attendance. The seminars tend to be lively and popular. For further information or to schedule a seminar for your organization, please contact committee Chair Thomas Howlett at (248) 540-3333 or thowlett@googasian.com.

    Wade McCree Awards for the Advancement of Justice

Publications

    Legal Terms is a handy booklet that gives definitions for legal terms in plain English. The booklet may be purchased from the State Bar of Michigan for $2.12 (includes state sales tax and shipping). This booklet can be ordered by filling out the Publication Order Form.

    For more information, contact:

    Doreen Dobias
    (517) 346-6397
    State Bar of Michigan
    Operations Support Assistant

Legal Links of Interest to the Media

Annual Reports