KUDOS!

BY MICHELLE LETOURNEAU (OAKLAND)

• Kathy Oemke:   Kudos to Livingston County Referee Jason Blevins for outstanding service to the Juvenile Court of Livingston County.  Referee Blevins and his fellow Referee, Michelle Ziel-Warner stepped in when there was a vacancy for the Juvenile Referee position.  They did double duty juggling their Domestic Dockets and the Juvenile Court docket.  They contributed to keeping everything running smoothly and having a great transition for the new returning referee, Chelsea Tomason.   They showed their outstanding dedication to the children in this jurisdiction.
  
  
• Kudos to Wayne County Referees Alicia Bianchi and Hulen Simpson who after years of dedicated service to the families of Wayne County and the Wayne County Friend of the Court were promoted to Lead Referees.  There is no doubt that Alicia and Hulen will continue to have a positive impact on the referees at the Wayne County Friend of the Court and will be fantastic role models for new referees who come under their leadership.
  
  
• Referee Bianchi also deserves Kudos for taking on the difficult and demanding job being the editor of the RAM Quarterly Newsletter. 
  
  
• Congratulations to and a warm welcome from RAM to the following newly appointed Wayne County Domestic Attorney Referees: 
  Anita Jennings
  Patricia Woodruff
  John Harb
  Alexander Sheldon-Smith
  Julie Hirsch
  
  
• Kudos to Oakland County Referee Dan Ferency for taking on the task of drafting RAM’s position regarding Proposed Administrative Order No. 2026-X regarding virtual hearings.  Thank you to the rest of the RAM Board for efficiently getting the position completed and over the finish line.  You can read our official position, which was also adopted by MJA, at:
  https://www.courts.michigan.gov/rules-administrative-orders-and-jury-instructions/proposed-adopted/administrative-orders/

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• Kudos to Oakland County Judge, and former Referee, Lorie Savin, for her continued support of RAM at events and on our Listserv.  Judge Savin, your willingness to chime in on your own, and when “voluntold”, is very much appreciated.