Professionalism and Civility:
A Better Way to Practice
Thursday, June 19, 2025
12-1 p.m.
Zoom Platform
Complimentary for Detroit Bar Members
Have you ever had a bad day and lashed out at a colleague? Or, maybe more unsettling, have you ever been on the receiving end of your opposing counsel’s or a judge’s bad day? Or, have you seen the calculated use of incivility as a strategy? These day-to-day issues, especially in the contentious world of litigation, can cause unnecessary conflict, unnecessarily expend resources, and hurt reputations. Our goal is to identify the causes of incivility and unprofessionalism, how to respond, and to promote professionalism and civility for the Bar and Bench. Join us and bring your experiences and perspectives!
PRESENTERS:
Fran Rosinski focuses on the defense of attorney and judge grievance matters, bar admission/character and fitness matters, risk management consulting and ethics expertise. Before starting her solo firm in June 2023, she was assistant general counsel at Clark Hill, PLC, where she handled ethics and conflict issues for the firm. Ms. Rosinski previously was senior associate counsel at the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission for 20 years where she was responsible for investigating and prosecuting allegations of misconduct. She is a member of the Michigan State Bar and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts of Michigan. Ms. Rosinski is also a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers and the Detroit Bar Association and is a SCAO-trained facilitative mediator. As a previous member of the National Organization of Bar Counsel, she was awarded a Special Service Recognition in 2017.
Tim Lessing is a career Litigator specializing in Trial. His career includes a broad spectrum of roles including time as a Judicial Clerk, Defense Trial Attorney, and managing a busy Plaintiff firm as its principal member. In 2017, he semi-retired from trial work to focus on his current practice as a Facilitator/Arbitrator with Lessing Legal, PLLC. He currently serves on the Executive Board for the State Bar of Michigan’s newly minted Special Standing Committee on Professionalism & Civility and serves as the Chair of its Speakers Subcommittee. He is an inducted member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Attorneys (ABOTA), perennially recognized as a “Super Lawyer”, as well as being Martindale Hubble AV-rated in both Attorney Peer Reviews and Judicial Reviews. He is Avvo “Superb” (10.0 rating) and repeatedly recognized as a Top Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates, and Litigation Counsel of America. He is a frequent lecturer in various areas such as Professionalism, Civility, and Trial/Litigation matters. He is also a proud father, Master Scuba Instructor, and Pilot.
Members: Free
Non-Members: $15
Please reach out to slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org with questions or for assistance.
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.