Advocacy

Expungement Bill Package

Date: October 21, 2020
On October 12, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed into law a bill package that will aid in the automatic expungement of certain criminal offenses.  The package also modifies the procedures and qualifications for applying for expungement of specified criminal offenses.  Here is a summary of what you need to know, provided by the Legal Affairs and Legislative Committee of WLAM.

Judicial Canon Proposed Amendment

Date: September 27, 2019
WLAM is partnering with other affinity bar associations to amend the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct to prohibit membership in organizations that practice invidious discrimination. A copy of the proposed amendment is available here.

SBM Filed Amendment

SCAO releases new policy to meet needs of nursing mothers and individuals with disabilities

Date: January 8, 2019
WLAM is pleased to announce that on January 8, 2019, the State Court Administrative Office published a memo encouraging all courts to create and maintain an accommodation space so that nursing mothers and individuals with disabilities can meet their individual needs.  To learn more about this memo and WLAM’s leadership role in effecting this change, please click here.

Letter in Support of SB 620

Date: March 29, 2018
WLAM and the National Association of Women’s Judges wrote a letter in support of Michigan SB 620, bi-partisan “Yes means Yes” legislation explicitly setting forth
a commitment to all Michigan youth that we will do a better job of protecting them from sexual assault and dating violence.

Equal Pay Legislative Day and Pay Equity Bills

Date: February 19, 2018
WLAM is participating in Equal Pay Legislative Day on April 10, 2018 in Lansing. There are several Pay Equity Bills that have been introduced in Michigan which are attached. The Michigan Equal Pay Day Coalition will be promoting the passage of those bills on April 10 in recognition of Michigan Equal Pay Legislative Day. More information about the event can be found here.

Michigan Courthouses Provide Lactation Rooms

Date: January 30, 2018
Lactation rooms are now open in the Third Circuit Court (Wayne County) and the Washtenaw County Trial Courts. More information can be found here.

WLAM Supports Diversity in the Federal Judiciary

Date: October 26, 2017
Letter to Senator Stabenow re: Diversity in the Federal Judiciary in Michigan

WLAM Signs Letter to A.G. Regarding ICE Courthouse Enforcement

In May the WLAM Board agreed to sign-on to an ACLU letter to Attorney General Sessions in response to ICE enforcement practices in courthouses. A copy of the letter is available here.

Date: September 15, 2017

WLAM Supports Amicus Curiae Brief

The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan is an organization comprising members of the legal profession in the state of Michigan.  As an organization dedicated to promoting improvements in the administration of justice and to promoting equality and social justice for all people, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan believes that excluding prisoners from the protections of our state civil rights law fails to promote equality and social justice for all people.

Date: February 12, 2016
Amicus Curiae Brief

WLAM Supports Diversity in the Michigan Judiciary

Date: September 9, 2015
Letter to Governor Snyder re: Diversity in the Michigan Judiciary, 3rd Circuit Court
Letter to Governor Snyder re: Diversity in the Michigan Judiciary, Supreme Court

Date: April 21, 2015
Letter to Governor Snyder re: Diversity in the Michigan Judiciary

WLAM Supports Equal Pay Day

Date: April 14, 2015
For several years now, women’s organizations in Michigan, like ours, have been working toward legislation to accomplish the following:
• Strengthen the Elliot Larson Act to include equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender;
• Increase penalties for wage discrimination based on gender;
• Establish pay equity committee;
• Allow women, and other employees, to compare their wages to know if they are being equally paid.

WLAM Supports Marriage Equality

The National Women’s Law Center asked for and received WLAM’s support for their amicus briefs advocating for marriage equality. From the NWLC: “Our brief explores the close relationship between sex discrimination and sexual orientation discrimination, and in particular the key role played by gender stereotypes in both types of discrimination.” WLAM has supported the NWLC’s Amicus Briefs in 4th Circuit, 5th Circuit, 6th Circuit, and 9th Circuit Courts. View Brief (6th Circuit, includes Michigan.)

WLAM Opposes Optional Membership in the State Bar of Michigan

Date: March 14, 2014
The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) opposes the proposed Senate Bill 743 that would make participation in the State Bar of Michigan – and the fees associated with membership – voluntary.

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