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The 2024 Detroit Bar Legal Scholar Program
Call for Submissions

Drawing from the example of the Nobel Foundation in Sweden and its recognition of creative contributions in important professional and academic subject matter fields, the Detroit Bar Association has established the Detroit Bar Legal Scholar Program to recognize each year original legal work product that advances the field of law and offers the application of new ideas that address the social, educational, economic and/or human advancement of the State of Michigan.

We request submissions that address the following Mega Question for 2024:

“How could current and/or new legal and dispute resolution best practices be innovatively applied, either before or during trials, to optimize the fair and expeditious resolution of civil court dockets and then serve as a model nationally?

The criteria for evaluation of submissions shall consist of the following three elements:

  1. Is the submission original work product based upon erudite legal research and methodology?
  2. Does the submission engage in problem solving as to how the Mega Question may be pragmatically and constructively addressed?
  3. Does the submission advance creative thinking through the innovative application of existing or new means employed in Michigan, other US jurisdictions and/or globally?

The deadline for submission is October 15, 2024. Submissions shall only be accepted from members of the Detroit Bar Association in good standing. Submissions shall be electronically provided in a PDF format not exceeding 30 pages in length to Darlene Trudell at dtrudell@detroitlawyer.org. A submission fee of $25.00 US payable electronically here  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.

Selection and Recognition of the Detroit Bar Legal Scholar

Based upon the submissions meeting the evaluation criteria above, we may select the author(s) of a specific submission to be awarded the designation of 2022 Detroit Bar Legal Scholar. The author(s) of the approved submission shall be recognized at the Archer Gala in fall. The biographical information of the selected Detroit Bar Legal Scholar, together with the successful submission, shall be published either electronically or in writing. Any other submissions may also be published electronically or in writing as references for public use.

LEGAL SCHOLAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Chair: Christopher J. Webb, Law & ADR Offices of Christopher J. Webb, JD, PLC
James Allen, Schenk & Bruetsch, PLC
Tishia Browning, Attorney
Kate Brink Harrison, Bodman
Julia A. Perkins, Varnum LLP
Devin Sullivan, Zausmer

2023 Detroit Legal Scholar Winner

We requested submissions that addressed the following Mega Question for 2023:

“How could current legal/judicial tools and/or new ones be innovatively applied to optimize the successful resolution of current and pending residential and commercial foreclosure cases for the betterment of key stakeholders including without limitation owners, tenants, landlords, lenders, utilities, law enforcement, and employers in Michigan and then serve as a model nationally?

OR

“How could current legal tools and/or new ones be innovatively applied to optimize diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the employment and advancement of individuals in the private and public sectors for the betterment of our community and then serve as a model nationally?”

The Detroit Bar Legal Scholar for 2023 is:


2021 Detroit Legal Scholar Winners

We requested submissions that addressed the following Mega Question for 2021:

How could current legal/judicial tools and/or new ones be innovatively applied to optimize the successful resolution of current and pending eviction cases for the betterment of key stakeholders including without limitation tenants, landlords, lenders, utilities, law enforcement, and employers in Michigan and then serve as a model nationally?

The Detroit Bar Legal Scholars for 2021—and their submissions—are:


2020 Detroit Legal Scholar Winner

We requested submissions that addressed the following Mega Question for 2020:

How could current legal/judicial tools and/or new ones be innovatively applied to optimize our current healthcare delivery systems to advance the wellbeing and betterment of the residents of Michigan and then serve as a model nationally?

The Detroit Bar Legal Scholars for 2020—and their submission—are:

 


2019 Detroit Legal Scholar Winners

We requested submissions that addressed the following Mega Question for 2019:

“How could current legal/judicial tools and/or new ones be innovatively applied to optimize investment for economic growth and advancement of the residents of Michigan and then serve as a model nationally?”

The Detroit Bar Legal Scholars for 2019 and their submissions are:


2018 Detroit Legal Scholar Winner

We requested submissions that addressed the following Mega Question for 2018:

“How could current legal/judicial tools and/or new ones be innovatively applied to optimize the present and future well-being of our children at risk after being expelled from public schools in Michigan and then serve as a model nationally?”

The Detroit Bar Legal Scholars for 2018 and her submission is:


2017 Detroit Legal Scholar Winner

Our 2017 Mega Question addressed the application of creative legal tools to optimize the rebirth of neighborhoods within the City of Detroit:

“How could current legal tools and/or new ones be innovatively applied to assist in the redevelopment of Detroit’s neighborhoods?”

The Detroit Bar Legal Scholars for 2017 and their respective submissions are: