Detroit Bar Association upcoming events

Inn of Court 2026 (04/07/2026)

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:30:00 GMT

The IOC season will kick off on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The meetings are held twice monthly on Tuesdays at Miller Canfield and begin with a soft start social period and dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The 2026 Inn of Court dates are:

Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Kick Off Event Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield
Tuesday, March 24 , 2026, Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Closing Event Social Start/Dinner 5:30pm, program 6:00 – 7:00pm – Miller Canfield

Membership and participation in the Detroit Bar IOC is an exclusive benefit available only to Detroit Bar members. Non-members must join the Detroit Bar when they join the IOC.

The IOC dues for the 2026 program year are $75 for Masters, $50 for Barristers and Associates, and $25 for Law Clerks. This fee covers the costs for program administration and food and beverages during the season.

TO REGISTER: Use the link on this page and email your resumé to Sheena Law-Killinger at slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org. The deadline to register is Friday, January 30, 2026.

Lunch & Learn Volunteer Training Session #34 (04/14/2026)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Session #34:
The Intersection of Tribal, State, and Federal Law

April 14, 2026

12 – 1 p.m.
Virtual Zoom Presentation
Free – online Zoom

Michigan is home to 12 federally recognized American Indian Tribes, the largest number of Tribes east of the Mississippi River. The state also reflects the lasting impact of federal boarding school policies and other government actions meant to "Kill the Indian, Save the Man" that separated American Indian children from their families, Tribal Nations, and homelands in an effort to erase Indigenous identity and culture. Michigan remains an example of how American Indians continue to struggle in restoring Traditional Indigenous Ways of Life.

This webinar will provide an introductory overview of that history and its continuing legal and community impact. It will examine how Tribal Nations in Michigan continue to protect Tribal sovereignty, preserve traditional Indigenous ways of life, and exercise criminal jurisdiction in fulfillment the Sacred Duty of Tribal Nations to safeguard Tribal citizens, women, children, and relatives.

This session will also serve as the foundation for future attorney trainings focused on the needs of Tribal citizens in state court, Tribal Court, and matters involving the intersection of state and Tribal justice systems.

Presenter:

Hon. Melissa L. Pope, Chief Judge, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court

Moderator:

John Sier, Chair, Detroit Bar Foundation Access to Justice Committee

Attend and receive a Certificate of Completion. Approved for State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll hours. Training hours can be put toward the Detroit Bar Pro Bono award with recognition at the annual Archer Award Gala in November. For full details, please visit https://www.detroitlawyer.org/probonoaward/

For questions, contact Sheena Law-Killinger at slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org.

Brought to you by:

DETROIT BAR PRO BONO/ACCESS TO
JUSTICE COMMITTEE

The information provided in this programming does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only.

Joint DBA/DBAF Board Meeting (04/15/2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Locations are as follows:

June 12, 2025 – Annual Dinner
September 17, 2025 – In person (at Dickinson Wright, 500 Woodward 40th Floor Suite 40000, Detroit)
October 15, 2025 – Zoom
November 19, 2025 – In person (at Miller Canfield)
January 21, 2026 – Zoom
February 18, 2026 – In person
March 18, 2026 – Zoom
April 15, 2026 – In person
May 20, 2026 – Zoom

(No meetings in July, August, or December)

Networking & Business Etiquette for New Lawyers (04/15/2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Networking & Business Etiquette for New Lawyers

Followed by a Networking Reception with the Leadership of the Detroit Bar

Wednesday, April 15
4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Join the Detroit Bar Association for an engaging program designed to strengthen your networking skills and build confidence in professional settings.

Guest speaker and etiquette coach Courtney Opalko will lead a session focused on business etiquette, effective networking strategies, and professional communication for new lawyers.

Immediately following the program, members of the Detroit Bar Association Board of Directors and Foundation Trustees will host a networking reception with drinks and appetizers. This will be the perfect opportunity to connect with experienced attorneys and leaders in the legal profession.

Presenter: Courtney Opalko, Founder and Owner of Courtney Opalko Etiquette

Event Program:

4:30-5:45 p.m. Etiquette Presentation
6-7:30 p.m. Networking reception with the Detroit Bar Association Board of Directors and Foundation Trustees.

Location:
Miller Canfield
150 W Jefferson Ave # 2500
Detroit, MI 48226

$25 Members
$45 Non-Members

This event is for those attorneys who have been practicing ten years or less.

For more information, contact Sheena Law-Killinger at slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org.

Law Day 2026 (04/29/2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

April 29, 2026

Law Day is a nationwide celebration of the rule of law, in recognition of how law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share. FIND OUT MORE

Mediation as a Business Tool Webinar (04/30/2026)

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The ADR and In-House Counsel Sections of the Detroit Bar Present:

Mediation as a Business Tool: Strategy, Risk, and Ethical Considerations

Thursday, April 30, 2026

3-4 p.m.
Zoom Format

Mediation is more than a procedural step in litigation—it is often a strategic business decision. This program examines how counsel and decision-makers evaluate enterprise risk, manage high-volume dispute portfolios, and determine when routine matters require broader alignment with business leadership. Panelists will explore how legal strategy intersects with organizational objectives, how risk is assessed beyond the individual dispute, and how ethical boundaries shape effective mediation advocacy, including key insights from American Bar Association Formal Opinion 518. Attendees will gain practical guidance on preparation, settlement authority, portfolio risk management, and professional responsibility to approach mediation with clarity, discipline, and sound judgment.

Presenters:

Luis Gomez, Chair, In-House Counsel Section, Detroit Bar, Lead Counsel, Global Class Actions, Ford Motor Company

Harshitha Ram Chair, ADR Section, Detroit Bar; Arbitrator & Mediator, Ram ADR, LLC

$15 Members
$30 non-members
Judges free

Please email slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org with any questions you might have regarding registration. To become a Detroit Bar Association Member, please visit https://www.detroitlawyer.org/join

2026 Legal Scholars Call for Submissions (05/11/2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The deadline for submission is May 11, 2026. A submission fee of $25.00 US payable electronically is required to begin the evaluation process. By way of providing a submission, the author(s) agree that Detroit Bar in its sole discretion may without restriction or expense reproduce, publish, and use in an electronic or written format any such submission.

Please visit https://www.detroitlawyer.org/legal-scholars/ for more information.

For questions, contact Darlene Trudell at dtrudell@detroitlawyer.org.

Joint DBA/DBAF Board Meeting (05/20/2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Locations are as follows:

June 12, 2025 – Annual Dinner
September 17, 2025 – In person (at Dickinson Wright, 500 Woodward 40th Floor Suite 40000, Detroit)
October 15, 2025 – Zoom
November 19, 2025 – In person (at Miller Canfield)
January 21, 2026 – Zoom
February 18, 2026 – In person
March 18, 2026 – Zoom
April 15, 2026 – In person
May 20, 2026 – Zoom

(No meetings in July, August, or December)

"Raising the Bar" 2026 Annual Dinner (06/11/2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

"Raising the Bar" 190th Annual Dinner

June 11, 2026
Detroit Golf Club
5–8 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of Raising the Bar 2026, the Detroit Bar Association's annual meeting—held at the iconic Detroit Golf Club.

Join us for an evening of celebration and recognition, including the installation of Detroit Bar officers and awarding those who have shown exceptional dedication to the outreach and growth of the law, within both the Detroit Bar and community.

Nonmembers welcome. Tickets are $105 per person.

Click here for sponsorship information. For more information, contact Darlene Trudell at dtrudell@detroitlawyer.org or 248-408-6919.

Last year's sponsors:

DIAMOND SPONSORS:

EMERALD SPONSORS:

SAPPHIRE SPONSORS:

ANNUAL SPONSORS:

PHOTO BOOTH SPONSOR:

PRINTING SPONSOR:

Young Lawyer Awards Nomination Deadline (06/19/2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Detroit Bar Barristers are pleased to once again present the Outstanding Young Lawyer Awards. These awards will recognize the accomplishments of young attorneys who, despite being in the early stages of their career, have demonstrated great potential as future leaders of the legal community.

Nominees for these awards must have been in practice for 10 years or fewer. Recipients will be announced and honored at Summer Breeze on July 14, 2026, 5:30-8:30 pm, at Supergeil Detroit.

The Barristers President’s Award – This award recognizes a young attorney whose early career has exhibited high standards of service to the profession, his or her clients, and the public.
The Barristers Pro Bono Award – This award is given to the young attorney who has made extraordinary accomplishments through their participation in pro bono activities.
The Community Impact Award – This award goes to a young attorney whose integrity, competence and accomplishments have significantly impacted the local community, or have had a demonstrable impact on the broader state or national landscape.
The “One to Watch” Award – The recipient of this award will be chosen based on outstanding professional accomplishments that demonstrate not only their legal acumen and talent, but also their potential for future professional growth and achievements.

Nominations for the Barristers Awards must be received by Friday, June 19, 2026, and must include the name of the nominee, their firm/organization, years in practice, as well as a brief (not more than one page) statement explaining the basis for the nomination. Supporting documentation may also be attached. Award recipients are required to be active Detroit Bar Association members.

Submit nominations and questions to Patrick Masterson at PMasterson@dickinson-wright.com.

2026 Summer Breeze (07/14/2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:30:00 GMT

July 14, 2026, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Supergeil Detroit
2442 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

It’s time for the 37th Annual Barristers' Summer Breeze and Law Clerk Party! This year’s Summer Breeze will be held at Supergeil Detroit, where guests can enjoy networking with members of the judiciary and other legal professionals. Summer Breeze is an ideal opportunity for new attorneys, summer associates and law clerks to meet and mingle with various members of the legal community in a relaxed and informal setting.

The Summer Breeze also provides the perfect opportunity to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of some of our best and brightest young attorneys who have, in the early stages of their career, demonstrated great potential as future leaders of the legal community.

Click here to view the award categories and to nominate an outstanding young Lawyer!

Registration: $45 Detroit Bar Members; $65 for non-members and includes appetizers. There will also be a cash bar available. Free admission for Detroit Bar Law Student Members and Members of the Judiciary. We look forward to seeing you on July 14!

For more information, contact Sheena Law-Killinger at slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org.

2026 Detroit Bar Association Golf Outing (08/06/2026)

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Detroit Bar Association
Golf Outing

August 6, 2026

Mystic Creek Golf Course
1 Champion Circle
Milford, Michigan

Join us in supporting the Detroit Bar and Foundation’s education and community outreach activities.

Registration includes golf, cart, lunch at the turn, dinner and reception with open bar, 2 on-the-course drink tickets, and prizes.

8:30 a.m. – Registration
9:30 a.m. – Shotgun start, four-person scramble, lunch at the turn
2:00 p.m. – Cocktails, Dinner, and Prizes (approximate time)

Individual Golf $170
Foursome $640
Dinner only $50

No cancellations or refunds accepted after July 24, 2026. No refunds for rain.

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

Dinner Sponsor $3,000

Exclusive sponsor of Buffet Dinner
Signage at Outing
Logo on all promotional materials sent to 27,000 lawyers & judges in SE Michigan

Lunch Sponsor $2,500

Exclusive sponsor of Lunch at the Turn
Signage at Outing
Logo on all promotional materials sent to 27,000 lawyers & judges in SE Michigan

Dinner Reception Sponsor $2,000

Exclusive sponsor of open bar dinner reception
Signage at Outing
Logo on all promotional materials sent to 27,000 lawyers & judges in SE Michigan

Golf Ball Sponsor $1,500

Provide golf balls to all golfers with name or logo
Signage at Outing
Logo on all promotional materials sent to 27,000 lawyers & judges in SE Michigan

Hole Sponsor $250

Sponsor sign at a hole
Logo on all promotional materials sent to 27,000 lawyers & judges in SE Michigan

GAMES

Men’s & Women’s Closest to the Pin
Men’s & Women’s Longest Drive
Mulligans & Puttigans

Thank you for supporting the Detroit Bar!

For more information contact:

Darlene Trudell
dtrudell@detroitlawyer.org
248 408-6919

Presenting Sponsor:

Photography Sponsor:

Drink Ticket Sponsor:

Prize Sponsor:

Printing Sponsor:

Hole Sponsors:

CURE Auto Insurance
Dickinson Wright
Flood Law
McKeen & Associates, PC
Taft

Night Out with the Bench & Bar (10/05/2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:30:00 GMT

October 5, 2026

The Social Brews Detroit
211 W Fort St #100, Detroit, MI 48201

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Meet the Judges! The Detroit Bar Association welcomes you to join us at The Social Brews Detroit on October 5th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for a post-work happy hour. Relax and connect with fellow lawyers and jurists outside of the courtroom; no programs, no briefs, no motions—only friendly debates, drinks and appetizers. Appetizers will be included with a cash bar available.

LOCATION:

The Social Brews Detroit
211 W Fort St #100, Detroit, MI 48226

COST:

$45 Detroit Bar Member
$65 Non-Members
$25 Students
Judges are complimentary

For questions, contact Sheena Law-Killinger at slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org.

ANNUAL SPONSORS:

2026 Annual Dennis W. Archer Public Service Award Gala (11/12/2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

November 12, 2026
Detroit Yacht Club
5:00 – 8:00 pm

Join the judges and mayors at the 22nd Annual Dennis W. Archer Public Service Award Gala.

Archer Award winners all have one thing in common – each is an attorney or jurist who exemplifies the ideal of the law as public service. Proceeds will fund free legal clinics and community outreach programs.

90% of funds raised are directly allocated to pro-bono legal services, educational and student activities.

Download sponsorship information. Please contact Darlene Trudell at 248 408-6919 or dtrudell@detroitlawyer.org for sponsorship information.

DIAMOND SPONSOR:

SILVER SPONSOR:
Taft

IN-KIND SPONSOR:
Detroit Legal News

2026 Jingle Mingle (12/07/2026)

Mon, 07 Dec 2026 22:30:00 GMT

December 7, 2026

The Whitney Ghost Bar
4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit 48201
5:30-8:30 pm

Celebrate the season at the Whitney Ghost Bar in Detroit, a historic favorite known for its Detroit history food and elegant atmosphere. Enjoy an evening of connection and cheer as you share conversations, memories, and laughter with colleagues and friends—reflecting on the highlights of 2026 and looking ahead to 2027.

Guests will be treated to heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and festive holiday musical entertainment, all in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

$45 member
$65 non-member
$25 student
Judges may attend for free.

Includes hors d'oeuvres and cash bar.

Contact Sheena Law-Killinger at slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org.

ANNUAL SPONSORS: