NSSSB In The News

Congratulations to NSSSB Attorneys Eileen Slank and Jamie O'Brien for their efforts as founding members of LIPA, the professional volunteer group that was instrumental in setting the stage for the implementation of the first mandatory mediation program in Livingston County Court.

Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach & Buiteweg, P.C. were recognized by the Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a 21st Century Innovator. This recognizes law firms that support their staff by balancing professional demands with personal commitments, retains employees and effectively uses technology in client service delivery and empowering their staff.

Jamie O'Brien and Denise Couling inaugurated the new monthly seminar, "Important Topics and Trends in Divorce/Family Law."

Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach & Buiteweg, PC hosted a "Lunch and Learn" seminar presented by Joseph Cunninghan, JD, CPA, Toni Wander, CPA, CFP, and Darci Keyes, JD, CPA of Plante Moran on Spousal Support Update: Current Law and Recurring Issues.

Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach & Buiteweg, PC was awarded the “Best of Michigan Business” by Corp! Magazine.

Margo Nichols -  is assisting the State Court Administrator's Office to develop court rules concerning confidentiality and privileged communications during mediations. The rules will be completed and available for public comment this summer.

Margo also presented at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Michigan Chapter's advanced family law seminar on "Tough Economic Times Require Negotiations and Creative Planning."

Margo contributed to the "Mediation Matters" article in the June/July 2009 Family Law Journal.

Margo spoke at the Family Law Institute presented by ICLE in November on "How Can We Divorce When We Can't Sell our Home? The Economics of Getting Apart" and "Just When You Thought You Were Done--Reflections on How to Wrap Up a File."

Monika Sacks  is certified as an Elder Mediator by the Institute for Social Gerontology.

Monika presented at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Michigan Chapter's advanced family law seminar on "Moving Children in a Distressed Economy."

Monika is treasurer of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan and the treasurer of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Michigan Chapter.

She attended the International Association for Collaborative Professionals Conference in Minneapolis.

Monika spoke on Rainmaking During an Economic Draught, at a seminar presented by ICLE in December.

Eileen Slank - Eileen moderated the 2009 Child Custody, Support and Parenting Time Update presented by ICLE.

Eileen continues to provide leadership for St. Joseph Catholic Church where she chaired the building committee for the new church structure.

Eileen moderated the Fundamentals of Divorce Practice & Procedure presented by ICLE.

Eileen attended the International Association for Collaborative Professionals Conference in Minneapolis.

Karen Sendelbach - moderated and spoke at the ICLE Annual Custody and Child Support Seminar. Her presentation was on "Effective and Appropriate Use of Parenting Coordinators."

Karen is certified as an Elder Mediator by the Institute for Social Gerontology.

Karen moderated the Family Law Portion of the Annual Washtenaw County Bench/Bar Conference.

Karen and her family will ride their bicycles from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan in 2009 PALM (Pedal Across Lower Michigan).

Karen presented on "Reconciliation; Ideas and Strategy" at the Family Law Institute sponsored by ICLE in November, 2009

Karen was published in the Wayne State Law Review's 2008 Survey of Michigan Family Law and was asked to publish in 2009.

Karen is organizing, chairing and moderating the "Michigan Child Support and Custody Update" in Grand Rapids in February, 2010 and in Northville in March, 2010.  The seminar is presented by ICLE.

Karen's article about Child Support was recently published in the Michigan Family Law Journal.

Jamie O’Brien – helped to organize and complete the first motion day Mediation for Judge C. Reader and Judge S. Geddes in Livingston County.

Jamie is working with Denise Couling to organize and present free seminars for the public and other professionals to explain affordable Divorce options involving out of Court alternatives.

Jamie is Vice-Chairperson of the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Livingston County (CAP), helping to prevent child abuse and neglect through education and awareness.

Jamie is working to establish mediation services to people appearing before the Livingston County Friend of the Court referees for motion hearings.

Jamie was a co-founder and continues to meet with LIPA (Livingston County Interdisciplinary Professionals Association), consisting of attorneys, mediators, mental health professionals, financial professional, Judges, and Referees who work together to provide collaborative services to divorcing couples.

Lori Buiteweg - was admitted to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and attended the May advanced family law seminar.

Lori is the elected Commissioner for 8 counties, including Washtenaw and was asked to sit on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners.

Lori attended the invitation only Law Related Education Summit in E. Lansing to help develop a strategic plan for equipping non-lawyers with knowledge and skills pertaining to the law, the legal process and the legal system. She is the Washtenaw County Bar Association chair of the Constitution Day Committee and is developing programs for all levels of Ann Arbor Public Schools for Constitution Day on September 17 of each year.

Lori attended the State Bar of Michigan Executive Leadership Forum on Mackinaw Island and was named the President of the Pastoral Counsel of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ann Arbor for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Lindsay Nickolls - attended the invitation-only, Family Court Forum in Ann Arbor, where leaders in family law from around the state study effective techniques for case settlement.

Lindsay is a member of the Interdisciplinary Study Group that meets in Ann Arbor.

Lindsay meets with the Interdisciplinary Team of Livingston County, consisting of lawyers, mental health professionals and financial professionals who work with divorcing couples to provide comprehensive empowerment services.

Lindsay was selected to serve on the Character and Fitness Committee of the State Bar of Michigan.

Lindsay is the publications Director of the Washtenaw Chapter of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.

Denise Couling - completed the Collaborative Practice Training which permits her to work as a team member on collaborative cases.

Denise is actively working to implement the mediation alternative for motions in Livingston County.

Denise is a member of the Genesee County Bar Association.

Denise is certified as an Elder Mediator by the Institute for Social Gerontology.

Denise recently participated as a judge in the Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition at the University of Michigan law School.

Denise wrote an article for The Glass Hammer entitled "Against All Olds, Women are thriving in Michigan --Here's How".

Denise Couling’s Article, “Changing the Face of Divorce,” was published in the January/February 2010 issue of BarBeat, the magazine of the Genesee County Bar Association.