Region Leadership
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Past Presidents
2019-2020 Jenna Bommarito | |
2018-2019 Farrah Ramdayal | |
2017-2018 Angela Medley View Bio Angela Medley serves as the 2017-18 President of the WLAM Macomb Region. Ms. Medley is an associate attorney with the Law Firm of Ihrie O’Brien located in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. In 2005, she graduated summa cum laude from Baker College in Clinton Township with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Ms. Medley received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2014. She is a board member of the Macomb County Bar Association and a new member of the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association. Ms. Medley joined the WLAM as a law student, and in 2014 she was nominated the WLAM-Macomb Region’s Most Active New Member. Ms. Medley attributes much of her success as a new lawyer to her involvement in the WLAM and the mentoring she received as a benefit of her membership. |
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2016-2017 Tanya Grillo View Bio Tanya Grillo is a Regional Manager for the Michigan indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). Tanya works with all the courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties in the State of Michigan’s goal to reform the indigent defense system. Prior to her position with the MIDC she was a solo practitioner and primarily practiced criminal law. Tanya always had a passion for helping indigent clients and served as appointed counsel in both Macomb and Oakland County. Her desire to help those most in need of legal assistance and her vast experience in courts throughout Metro-Detroit has made her a catalyst of change in a broken system. Tanya strongly believes in giving back to her community and her profession. She is the past President of the Women’s Lawyer’s Association of Michigan-Macomb Region, former secretary of Sobriety Today Our Purpose (S.T.O.P), past Co-Chair of the Criminal Law Committee in Macomb County and a member of the Macomb and Oakland Bar Associations and the Criminal Defense Association of Michigan. She also gives of her time to charitable organizations as you will find her giving her time to homeless shelters, food banks, and other charitable causes throughout the year. Prior to going entering a career in the law, Tanya worked at Quicken Loans. She is received her Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Florida University. |
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2015-2016 Laura Marji | |
2014-2015 Maryanne Deneweth | |
2013-2014 Annemarie Lepore View Bio Annemarie Marino Lepore has been an attorney with Aloia & Associates, PC since 2009, where she is the domestic litigation and criminal practice manager. She focuses her practice on family law matters, criminal defense, and civil litigation in both state and federal courts. She holds a Certificate of Completion in the area of Family Law issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. She received her B.A. from Oakland University and her J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy-School of Law. She is a member of the Macomb County Bar Association and Macomb County Bar Foundation, where she currently serves as a director for both organizations. She is also a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan-Macomb Region, and served as president from 2013-2014. Ms. Lepore’s honors include being listed in Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. |
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2012-2013 Kristin Stone View Bio When Kristin Stone was president of the Macomb Region, she was in private practice with specialization in juvenile law, family law and criminal law. Since that time, her life has been a whirl wind of awesomeness. She had her first child in 2014. In 2015, Kristin was appointed Attorney/Referee for the Juvenile Division of the Macomb County Circuit Court where she presides over delinquency and child protective proceedings and makes recommendations to the judges. In 2016, her second (and final!) child. She received her bachelor degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from MSU College of Law. She loves her job and family and believes that the WLAM was truly instrumental in paving the path to where she is today. |
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2010-2012 Linda McGrail Belau | |
2009-2010 Michelle M. Lundquist | |
2006-2007, 2008-2009 Angela Kay Sherigan | |
2007-2008 Kathleen Maslanka Peabody | |
2005-2006 Melissa M. King View Bio Ms. King attended Wayne State University on a merit scholarship where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She has had a long career in public service. While attending law school she worked as a children’s foster-care case manager. She also worked at Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services providing research, development and grant writing services. She co-authored the concept paper for WCNLS’ Children’s Law Center and helped WCNLS obtain millions of dollars in funding to separate their programming. Ms. King ran a general practice law firm from 1995 through 2007 focusing on criminal defense, juvenile law representation and estate planning. During that time she also provided program development and consulting services. She created a publication highlighting statewide school to work initiatives for students with disabilities through Wayne State University Development Disabilities Institute. She acted as a consultant to Lakeshore Legal Services and assisted them in developing a hotline for legal service intake. Ms. King has a keen interest in specialty court work and was the long-term defense attorney representative for the Macomb County Juvenile Drug Court. She also advocated for the establishment of and acts as the program director for the 39th District Sobriety Court in Roseville, Michigan. In 2002, she was honored by the Macomb County Bar Association with the Pro Bono Award. In 2003 the Young Lawyers Section of the Macomb County Bar Association presented her with the “Most Active Young Lawyer” award. Ms. King was very active in the WLAM-Macomb Region and served as President of the WLAM-Macomb Region in 2005-2006. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. King sat on the State Bar of Michigan – District D Character and Fitness Committee. In 2007, Ms. King was appointed Magistrate for the 39th District Court and in 2010 she became the Magistrate/Court Administrator of the 39th District Court where she is currently working. She is involved in her community; is the Vice President of the Roseville Optimist Club and has been the Corresponding Secretary for the Michigan Court Administrator’s Association since 2014. Ms. King is also a proud member of the Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates and Southeast Michigan Court Administrator’s Association. |
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2003-2005 Karen M. Transit | |
2002-2003 Patricia A. Maceroni | |
2001-2002 Tracy L. Chapman | |
1999-2001 Susan L. Thorman View Bio Susan L. Thorman is a Referee for the Oakland County Friend of the Court. From 2002 until 2015 she served as the Director of the Shiawassee County Friend of the Court and prior to that she was employed with the Macomb County Friend of the Court. Susan is a past President the Shiawassee County Bar Association, past President and Vice-President of the state-wide Friend of the Court Association, past President of Macomb County Woman Lawyers and a former member of the Macomb County Bar Association Board of Directors. She is a former 35th Judicial Circuit Court delegate to the State Bar of Michigan's Representative Assembly. She is a graduate of Aquinas College and the University of Detroit School Of Law. In 2012, Susan ran unsuccessfully for the Shiawassee County Probate Court. She currently serves as a member of Girl Scout Heart of Michigan’s (GSHOM) Member Advisory Committee and is a GSHOM Area Manager responsible for twenty Troops in Shiawassee County. She also leads Owosso’s St. Paul Catholic School Troop, and is a Girl Scout Silver and Gold Award advisor. Susan is a mentor for GSHOM’s Leader/Feeder event; a program that enables girls to plan and prepare meals for an adult training and activities weekend. Susan has mentored over 60 girls through this program. She is a past President of St. Paul’s Parent Teacher Council and has served on several St. Paul committees. Susan lives in Corunna with her husband Mark, and 13 year-old daughter Casmiera. She enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling with her family. |
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1998-1999 Jayne Labuda Syzmanski | |
1996-1998 Kathy J. Vogt | |
1994-1996 Saleema Goodman Sheikh | |
1992-1994 Lori J. Finazzo | |
1990-1992 Kimberly M. Cahill | |
1988-1990 Annette L. Baker | |
1986-1988 Karen Russell View Bio Karen Russell is a graduate of the University of Michigan where she received both her BA and MA. In 1976, with six children, she entered the Detroit College of Law where she graduated in 1980, magna cum laude. She began her legal career with the Michigan Court of Appeals. Subsequently, she began practice in Macomb County which she describes as: “It was the best of time; it was the worst of time”. Fortunately, there were outstanding role models such as Justine Orris and Florence Schoenherr-Warnez. Ms. Russell was President of the Macomb Region from 1986 to 1988. She was secretary at the State WLAM from 1988 to 1989. She was the 1997 recipient of John W. Cumminsky Pro Bono Award and Lakeside Legal Service Pro Bono Service Award. She was appointed to the Domestic Violence Prevention & Treatment Board from 1990 to 1997. She served on the initial Personal Protection Task Force. Ms. Russell presently serves on boards of non-profit organizations which promote the interest of young women and children. She serves on the Attorney Discipline Hearing Panel. Ms. Russell has practiced law in numerous areas, including, family law, first amendment law, banking law, and employment law. She continues to practice primarily in the area of juvenile law. |
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1984-1986 Dolora Paull | |
1982-1984 Marilyn A. Knak | |
1980-1982 Margaret R. De Muynck |