ELECTION 2010: Circuit Court, 30th Circuit Judge - Non-Incumbent Race Voters will cast a ballot for only one of the four candidates on Aug. 3. The winner will hold the office, which serves all of Ingham County, for six years through 2016.
Clinton Canady
Gregory Crockett
w Party: No party
w Age: 54
w City of residence: Okemos
University J.D. Cum Laude, Thomas M. Cooley Law School w Political experience: 2008 Candidate for Ingham County Probate Court/ Family Division Circuit Court w Family: Married 29 years, two children w Campaign website: www.crockett4judge.com What makes you qualified for this position? I have many years of experience with criminal, civil, and administrative cases. Unlike any of the other candidates, I have actual experience working within the 30th Circuit Court. I served three years as Law Clerk to Chief Judge Peter D. Houk, performing research, drafting documents, and helping to keep the court organized and running efficiently. The unique work of the 30th Circuit includes a high volume of special cases which the average attorney does not encounter in private practice. I had an excellent example and mentor in the Honorable Peter D. Houk, who was well known for his excellent intellect and calm respectful presence on the bench, and I plan on continuing his legacy by exemplifying those characteristics while providing justice for the community. All areas of government are under pressure to improve efficiency. What are your suggestions for improving the efficiency of this court? There are some improvements, such as phasing in the option of electronic filing for efficiency and transparency. Specialty courts are also a good idea. However, cost is not always the issue. Economic development, general civil and criminal law all require a high-quality judicial system. This is an essential function and cannot be provided cheaply. Do you believe that the court is providing timely and quality service? If so, elaborate on details. If not, what do you propose to improve? In some ways Ingham County Courts are doing extremely well. An example is the new Ingham County Veterans Court, which focuses expertise and federal resources for veterans in the legal system. As the budget shrinks, timeliness may become a greater issue. If funding is available, Ingham County Courts may wish to seek Federal grants to improve services. Do you accept political contributions from attorneys or law firms that appear before you? Is this a conflict of interest? Please explain. Good or bad, campaign contributions are part of American politics. But there are special rules for judicial candidates. The Michigan Rules of Judicial Conduct do not bar attorneys from contributing to judicial campaigns as long as the funds are not provided directly to the candidate. All contributions must be made to the candidate’s campaign committee. I am sure The Committee to Elect Gregory Crockett has received contributions from attorneys as well as many other citizens. There is nothing unethical about this, as long as the candidate is not approached directly by the attorney or firm.
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Billie Jo O’Berry w Party: No party w Age: 54
w City of residence: Mason
w Party: No party
w Age: 52
w City of residence: Lansing
w Occupation: Attorney/Partner
Grua, Jamo & Young,P.L.C. 2401 East Grand River Ave. Lansing, Michigan 48912 w Education: J.D., Cooley Law School B.A.,Political Science,University of Michigan w Political experience: None. w Family: Married, two children. w Campaign website: www.jamoforjudge.com What makes you qualified for this position? Twenty-five years of broad litigation experience in the Ingham County Circuit Court, and many circuit courts across the state, and in the federal courts, as well as representing clients in the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court and the 6th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. Additionally, I am a trained mediator certified to facilitate settlement of Circuit Court lawsuits. I am a “neutral” case evaluator for the Ingham County Circuit Court, and also sit as a case evaluator in Eaton and Clinton counties. I serve as a hearing panel member for the Attorney Discipline Board. All areas of government are under pressure to improve efficiency. What are your suggestions for improving the efficiency of this court? The efficiency of the court is dependent upon the efforts of several people interacting in any given case. The judge, the court staff, the attorneys and the parties all need to work toward a common goal of efficient processing of the litigation. The court’s judges are responsible for setting appropriate control over the progress of cases. Unnecessary delay in that progress can result in inefficiencies and increased costs to the parties and the court system. Implementation of a Federal Court style electronic filing system is one method of improving efficiency of the court’s processing of matters. Do you believe that the court is providing timely and quality service? If so, elaborate on details. If not, what do you propose to improve? In most of my cases before this court, the court is providing timely, efficient and quality service. Do you accept political contributions from attorneys or law firms that appear before you? Is this a conflict of interest? Please explain. Yes, the Committee to Elect Jim Jamo is accepting campaign contributions from attorneys. It is not a conflict of interest as long as the candidate abides by Canon 7 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, and if elected adheres to his or her ethical obligation to judge without bias toward any party appearing before the court.
Occupation: Lansing Assistant City Attorney Adjunct Law Professor - T. M. Cooley Law School w Education: Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D. With Honor Michigan State University, B.A. Cum Laude Lansing Community College, Associate Dansville High School,
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Jim Jamo
Valedictorian
w Political experience: I have run for judicial office in
the past. I am a previous member Vevay Zoning Board of Appeals. I am a past President of the Women’s Law Association of Mid-Michigan, Past Representative Assembly Member of the State Bar of Michigan; Past Member of the Ingham County Bar Bench & Bar Committee; Union Steward for Teamsters Local #214; past member of the Tri-County Emergency Medical Control Authority; member of the VFW #7309 Ladies’ Auxiliary; Kiwanis International; Catholic Lawyers’ Guild and International League for the Rescue of Horses. w Family: Married 37 years to Rick O’Berry, Commander of Post No. 7309 VFW and local real estate agent. Daughter, Jolina O’Berry is an attorney. Grand daughter, Grace Joelle. Parents: Walter and Clara Hicks In-Laws: Jack and Peggy O’Berry w Campaign website: www.oberryforjudge.com
What makes you qualified for this position? I have worked in the legal field for 34 years, starting in an entry level position. My experience is diverse and covers a variety of issues that would come before a Circuit Court Judge. This experience includes a range of private practice topics, including family, real estate, contracts, employment and criminal defense cases. In addition, I have served as an Assistant City Attorney for over 23 years with criminal prosecution and municipal experience. I have also handled numerous issues before various administrative agencies. I have experience both at the trial level and appellate level. My experience in both the District Court and Circuit Courts along with appellate experience makes me uniquely qualified as a Circuit Judge with a broad perspective to draw from in weighing the evidence in any type of case. I have been admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit and U.S. District Court - Western District. I also supervise legal externs in acquiring legal experience and honing their skills. I have also been an adjunct law professor teaching trial skills to law students. Continued on next page
July 18, 2010
Party: Democrat Age: 61 w City of residence: Lansing w Occupation: Attorney w Education: BBA - Business, University of Michigan JD - Law, University of Michigan w Political experience: I was admitted to Michigan and District of Columbia Bar. I have been a trial attorney for 37 years. Former elected member of State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly; Young Lawyers Council of State Bar; Ingham County Bar Association Director; Founder of Lansing Black Lawyers Association and first president; Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce director; Lansing Symphony; Chief Okemos Boy Scouts; Legal Aid of Central Michigan; National Bar Association director. w Family: Married with two adult children and one grandchild. w Campaign website: www.canadyforjudge.com What makes you qualified for this position? I have been a trial attorney for over 30 years representing people and their issues. I am an attorney for Family Dependency Treatment Court through Family Division of Ingham Circuit Court. I am a case evaluator through Ingham, Clinton and Eaton Counties. I am a former special referee of Ingham County Probate Court Family Division. I currently practice in state and federal courts. I also work in both divisions of Ingham Circuit Trial and Family Division, family law, criminal law and personal injury. All areas of government are under pressure to improve efficiency. What are your suggestions for improving the efficiency of this court? I would look at the current structure. Courts are a difficult area to cut as caseloads remain high. I would review all operational areas. Do you believe that the court is providing timely and quality service? If so, elaborate on details. If not, what do you propose to improve? Yes. When Circuit Court was divided into the Trial and Family Divisions, it helped increase timely dispositions, especially in the family court which handles delinquency, child protection, personal protection orders (PPO), custody and divorce. Do you accept political contributions from attorneys or law firms that appear before you? Is this a conflict of interest? Please explain. I am not an incumbent but am seeking a position which is an open seat. I do accept contributions from attorneys. w
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w Occupation: Attorney & Counselor at Law
w Education: B.A., Communications, Michigan State
Towne Courier
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