Lansing to Local Event a Success

Paul Bohn, Esq.
 

Last Friday, Fausone Bohn, LLP hosted its third “Lansing to Local” event at Schoolcraft College’s VistaTech Center.  The event provided an informal discussion on pending legislative and regulatory reforms and how they affect business in Wayne County.  The event was attended by over 60 guests including several local mayors and supervisors, Michigan judges, Wayne County commissioners, and business leaders from southeast Michigan.

The event boasted two great speakers – John J. Walsh, Speaker Pro Tem of the Michigan House of Representatives and Hon. Chad C. Schmucker, Michigan State Court Administrator.

Mr. Walsh discussed the priorities of the legislature and the bills to be debated during the last few weeks before the holiday break (termed the “lame duck” session).  In addition to serving as the Speaker Pro Tem of the Michigan House of Representatives, Mr. Walsh is an attorney with Fausone Bohn, LLP in Northville.

Mr. Schmucker then discussed the implementation of Michigan’s new business courts.  These courts will be required in circuits that have three or more judges.  They should provide for better predictability of business cases and judges with more expertise in that area of the law. 

Additionally, Mr. Schmucker discussed the State Court Administrative Office’s new measures to improve the performance and efficiency of Michigan courts.  This will be achieved by identifying problem areas, setting goals, and evaluating performance through a variety of means including customer satisfaction surveys.

If you have questions about these or other legal topics, or would like to be invited to the next Lansing to Local event.  Please contact Paul Bohn at (248) 380-0000 ext. 9988 or pbohn@fb-firm.com.

Michigan Working to Make Courts More Efficient

Matt Worley, Esq.

 

Michigan Trial Courts may soon be working smarter and more efficient, thanks to an initiative by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO).  With a program entitled “Courts Working Smarter for a Better Michigan,” the SCAO will be measuring the performance of Michigan trial courts.

The plan allows the courts to identify performance issues, set goals, and improve performance.

For example, the plan analyzes how long it takes for a case to be heard by a judge.  Courts can then see where the problems lie and work to correct them in order to shorten the time cases sit in limbo.

Additionally, courts will measure what percentage of jurors called to duty actually serve on a trial.  Customer satisfaction surveys will also be provided to people using the courthouse as a way to improve customer service. Lastly, the courts will also be able to review the reliability and integrity of case files – having accurate court records is indispensable for an effective appeal.

Perhaps best of all, these measures will be provided to members of the bar and the public, providing for greater transparency of the courts to Michigan citizens.

To read the Michigan Bar Journal article about the steps being taken by the SCAO to improve the efficiency of the courts, please visit:  http://www.michbar.org/journal/pdf/pdf4article2113.pdf.

If you have legal questions, contact the experienced team of attorneys at Fausone Bohn, LLP at (248) 380-0000 or www.fb-firm.com.