Diversity News
Ten New Associates Join Warner Norcross
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP today welcomed 10 new attorneys to the Firm as associates.
For the second year in a row, women outnumber men in the entering class of associates, representing 60 percent of new attorneys. And once again, 40 percent of the class is a member of a racial or ethnic minority.
"Our continuing efforts to build a workplace that is representative of the changing face of our community is reflected in this new class," said Douglas E. Wagner, managing partner. "The Firm is committed to maintaining a diverse and open work environment, and we are pleased to welcome this class of new associates to Warner Norcross."
The new associates have all been admitted to the State Bar of Michigan. With the exceptions of David White, who will practice in the Firm’s Southfield Office, and Meggan Dyer, who will practice in the Firm’s Muskegon Office, the new associates will practice in Grand Rapids. The new attorneys include:
Daniel W. Borst, who received his doctor of jurisprudence from Wayne State University Law School.
Meggan E. Dyer, who earned her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
Inga A. Hofer, who received her JD from MSU College of Law.
Marcus Jones, who received his law degree from MSU College of Law.
Julie Lam, who received her law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Mo.
Madelaine Lane, who earned her JD from Wayne State University Law School.
Christine G. Maher, who earned her JD from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Todd M. Neckers, who earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Raquel A. Salas, who received her JD from MSU College of Law.
David Z. White, who received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Collar, Yu Chang, Land Leadership Honor
A pair of Warner Norcross & Judd attorneys are among the next generation of business leaders in West Michigan, according to Grand Rapids Business Journal’s biannual "40 Under 40" awards.
Melissa Collar and Albert Yu Chang, along with 38 more business leaders under the age of 40, will be honored during a Nov. 8 reception sponsored by the Journal. They also will be featured in a special supplement published by the newspaper on Nov. 5.
These awards acknowledge the up-and-coming generation of leaders who are most likely to make a positive, lasting impact on the business community.
"Albert and Melissa, we are very proud of your accomplishments and we thank you for the many significant contributions you have made to the legal profession in general, to Warner Norcross in particular, as well as to the greater West Michigan community," said Warner Managing Partner Doug Wagner.
Journal Editor Carole Valade said the paper received more nominations this year than at any time in the award's 10-year history. A panel of independent judges reviewed all the nominations and made the final selections. Panel members included Jeanne Englehart, president of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Tom Schwarz, director of the Grand Valley State University Center for Free Enterprise, and Paul Hense, a local accounting firm owner and a board member of the Small Business Association.
Collar and Yu Chang both are first-time recipients.
Collar is chair of Warner's Construction and Condominium practice groups, and was named a Super Lawyer in the 2007 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers. She is a member of the state board of directors for Inforum, and is professionally affiliated with Commercial Real Estate Women, Grand Rapids Association of Realtors and Homebuilders Association of Greater Grand Rapids. She also is a past winner (2006) of the YWCA’s "Woman of Distinction" award.
Yu Chang is a member of Warner's Business and International Business practice groups. He speaks Filipino, Mandarin Chinese and Minnan Chinese, and his community affiliations include serving as director and secretary of the Asian Health Outreach Foundation. He is also the Manager for Business Development – West Michigan with the Detroit Chinese Business Association and is an active member of the Chinese Association of West Michigan. He also is a vice chair of the Asia-Pacific Committee of the International Law Section of the American Bar Association, as well as a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
Warner Norcross Awards Minority Scholarships
For the seventh consecutive year, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP has awarded academic scholarships to two minority students from Michigan who are completing their legal studies.
The Warner Norcross scholarship program provides monetary assistance to assist students in covering the educational costs associated with a law degree or paralegal studies. The 2007 recipients are:
Mary A. Bowen of Flushing, Law School Scholarship
Sarah B. Robinson of Grand Rapids, Paralegal Scholarship
"Our Firm remains committed to encouraging diversity by supporting scholarships and education programs that ensure our profession is open to all young men and women," said Douglas E. Wagner, managing partner of Warner Norcross. "We are pleased to provide scholarship assistance to Mary and Sarah, who come highly recommended for their involvement in the community and their passion for their legal studies."
The 2007 winners were chosen by a selection committee based on essays that outlined personal goals and challenges that have drawn them into the field of law.
Bowen, who received the Firm's $5,000 Law School Scholarship, will be a third-year law student at the Michigan State University College of Law. Active within the university and the community, Bowen is the associate editor of the Journal of Medicine and Law and the chapter president of the Wolverine Student Bar Association/Black Law Student Association. She was the 2007 recipient of the Lansing Black Lawyers Association John Davis Scholarship and the co-organizer of Diversity Law Day.
An active volunteer, she donates her time to the Lansing City Rescue Mission and is a past volunteer for the Genesee County Humane Society, the Salem Housing Corp., the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and the YWCA of Greater Flint.
Bowen holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. During her undergraduate studies, received several leadership awards, community service awards and scholarships.
Robinson received the Firm's $2,000 Paralegal/Legal Assistant Scholarship. She is currently beginning her studies toward a degree at Davenport University in Grand Rapids. She volunteers her time at Grand Rapids First and St. John's Home.
The funds for the scholarships come from WN&J's Corporate Advised Fund at Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
In order to be considered for a scholarship, applicants must:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher;
- Be a Michigan resident accepted to or currently attending an accredited law school within the United States, or a non-Michigan resident attending a Michigan law school (for the Law School Scholarship);
- Be a Michigan resident enrolled in an accredited college or university in Michigan (for the Paralegal Scholarship);
- Demonstrate financial need;
- Submit a statement of goals and aspirations related to their legal studies; and
- Be a member of an ethnic or racial minority.
From Gifts To Formal Titles: Common Japanese Etiquette QuestionsAndrew Thorson, a partner based in Warner Norcross & Judd's Metro Detroit office, is an expert on Japanese business and that country’s unique business culture. He lived and worked in Japan for nearly a decade and is a graduate of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Law in Kyoto, Japan.
Thorson, who has spent nearly 15 years representing U.S. and Japanese companies in international transactions, recently participated in a question-and-answer session with a reporter from the in-house magazine publishing group of American Express.
Here is a sampling of that exchange which should be useful for Americans doing business with Japanese firms:
Q: When it comes to doing business and etiquette in Japan, what’s important to remember that isn’t second nature to Americans?
A: In Japan, relationships are very important. Unless you are lucky enough to have a monopoly on a highly sought after product or service, you will likely need to cultivate relationships in Japan more than in any other modern market in order to build the trust that you will need to succeed in this market.
Q: Some international etiquette is well publicized, like presenting your business card with two hands to someone in Japan or removing your shoes before entering a home. What are some other etiquette issues that Americans ought to know?
A: Surprising your counterpart is almost always never a good thing. It is a business custom in many Japanese organizations to both plan in detail and also to make decisions based upon drawn-out internal consensus-building procedures. This means that your counterpart, if he or she has shepherded the project, often has a lot at stake with respect not only to the results but the process of managing the business and relaying important messages to others in the company. Changing your mind, asking for additional concessions at the last minute, etc., will likely be met with strong opposition — perhaps anger — because returning to the company with a different request or new information will often be burdensome, if not embarrassing.
Q: Why is it important to follow protocol when doing business in Japan?
A: First and foremost, the desire to feel respected and appreciated is not unique to any culture. By showing that you have taken the time to learn basic manners that are important to your counterpart, you are showing respect. You are also showing that you are considerate, prepared and studious. These are good traits in any country.
Q: If a businessperson is unsure how to handle a certain etiquette situation, is it OK for him to ask?
A: Most Japanese that I know are generally proud of Japanese etiquette and the cultural uniqueness of Japan. Accordingly, foreigners are not expected to understand etiquette perfectly, if at all. Many Japanese are also pleased to be able to assist foreigners and share with foreigners their insights into Japanese culture. If you show consideration and interest, it is hard to imagine that a polite and humble admission of ignorance will seriously injure your reputation.
Q: Give some examples of deal-killers.
A: Very easy. Do not follow through on your promises and do not always do your best for your business partner. Speak openly about your interest in short-term profitability, downplay any commitment to a long-term business relationship and declare your intent to deny any responsibility beyond those in a written contract.
Q: Do the Japanese have an equivalent to the one-power-lunch-and-done American negotiating process?
A: It has been said many times in Japan that no contract is needed when two business parties have trust and common understanding. However, achieving trust and a common understanding in Japan often means providing your Japanese counterpart with opportunities to understand your personal character. For this reason, foreigners might be asked many detailed questions about personal matters during informal sessions. This can be unnerving and border on the offensive, particularly when the information sharing is one way, as it often is. Remember, you are in a different country. If you are dealing with management-level business people at a reputable, international Japanese company, you likely are dealing with some of the most adept business people in the world. If your counterpart is sincerely spending time to get to know you (rather than to merely repay an existing debt or to avoid the appearance of not being a gracious host; neither situation is uncommon in Japan), this is a good sign for you. I have never seen a long-term business deal closed over a power lunch in Japan. However, I have seen a serious multimillion-dollar lawsuit that could not be settled by months of team negotiations settled in one evening on a napkin signed between two executives during a late night business dinner when both executives represented the trust and common understandings of their respective public companies.
Q: What do Americans need to know about greetings — specifically titles — when speaking with someone in Japan so they don’t seem rude.
A: Don't call yourself “san.” Call your colleagues by their names, not “san.” When speaking to professors, lawyers or doctors, they are referred to as “sensei,” not “san.” For example, I call Mr. Abo, my friend and co-counsel in Japan, Abo-sensei. My Japanese law school professor is Kitagawa-sensei. As a general rule, it’s best not to try to mimic such terms as they can be insulting or embarrassing if improperly used.
Q: What are Japanese views on thank-you notes or showing appreciation for a gift?
A: It is always appropriate to send a thank-you note and to voice appreciation for a gift. Ritual and presentation are important in Japan. Most often a gift will be simple, tastefully wrapped and of high quality. Be sure to note appreciation of special wrapping and your interest in the gift and its origination (What part of Japan does it come from? How should you use it? What does the ornamental Japanese writing mean?). Repay your counterpart when you visit or you otherwise impose with a similarly thoughtful gift of comparable value. Be careful not to escalate the gift giving as some Japanese feel morally compelled to respond with a more expensive gift. This can create an uncomfortable burden for both parties. Remember, this is a business ritual, not the type of gift giving we are used to practicing in the U.S. (such as on birthdays and anniversaries, for example).
Q: Should you open a gift in front of the gift-giver?
A: No. That is the most conservative and usually the best advice in formal situations and when you do not know your counterpart well. In such cases, unless invited to do so, it is best to not open the gift or even ask about the content in front of your counterpart. Simply voice your sincere gratitude for the gift and place it neatly at your side on the table. If you know your counterpart or otherwise have good reason to believe you can be more direct, it may be acceptable to ask your counterpart if you may open the gift. Sometimes, Japanese who are used to dealing with foreigners will be pleased to have you do so, particularly if you are good at showing gratitude. A word of caution: Be prepared to use your best poker face regardless of what you find under the wrapping! Don’t sample foodstuffs in front of the gift-giver. If you’re allergic to it, already have one, are offended by the content, etc., never mention it.
Q: In Japan, does yes ever mean no or no mean yes?
A: The word “no” is not often heard in Japan. Rather, instead of “no” you will hear phrases such as “it’s difficult,” “maybe” or “probably,” “we don’t know” or “we can discuss it later.” Silence is another way to say “no” in Japan. On the other hand, if you are not hearing a “yes,” it’s not necessary to give up. Polite persistence, dogged determination and your best and sincere efforts might open doors with time.
Q: Any other thoughts on Japanese business culture?
A: Remember, Japanese are proud of the unique culture, traditions and history of Japan. Some can be sensitive to foreign criticism and opinions on the same. Avoid condescending comments about things you might see, hear and otherwise experience, regardless of how strongly you feel about it. Also avoid controversial topics that are not important to the purpose of a meeting. Such conversations are almost never necessary, are commonly inappropriate, and can be very, very risky. The concept of “face” is very strong in Japan. An unwary slight that displays disrespect might not be easily forgotten. Focus on being a good listener rather than making a point when in doubt about whether a topic or comment is appropriate.
Warner Coaches Central High School Team in Mock Trial Competition
Competing for the first time, a team of 11 students from Grand Rapids Central High School won two out of three of its trials and received an Honorable Mention in a regional mock trial competition conducted by the Michigan Center for Civic Education. The team was coached by Warner Norcross attorneys David Skidmore, Amanda Fielder and Liz van Houwelingen. The coaches began working with the students at the beginning of the school year. Eleven high school teams from around the state participated in the competition. Grand Rapids Central was the only high school from the City of Grand Rapids to participate.
The students in the competition were given a fact pattern and supporting materials from a hypothetical case. The students had to prepare to argue both sides of the case at trial, dividing up the roles of attorneys and witnesses. Teams developed their own trial strategies. The students had to prepare and deliver opening and closing statements and to prepare direct and cross-examinations of six witnesses. Team members who played the witnesses were given their character’s sworn statements, but were on their own when facing cross-examination by opposing counsel from another school.
"The students worked hard and learned a lot to prepare for the competition," says David Skidmore. "It has been real rewarding to work with them and to see their enthusiasm. I hope we have encouraged the students to aspire to become lawyers."
David, Amanda and Liz are already planning for next year’s competition. They will conduct tryouts at Grand Rapids Central High School later this spring.
Grand Rapids Press columnist Tom Rademacher featured David Skidmore and the students from Central High in his March 11 column, which is available here. (3/12/2007)
Ninth Annual Summit on Racism, Friday, March 23
Warner Norcross and Judd will once again be a sponsor of the annual Grand Rapids Summit on Racism, to be held on Friday, March 23, 2007, at DeVos Place. This year's Summit will introduce a new campaign among business, religious and civic leaders to support equality in Grand Rapids. The Summit has been conducted annually by the Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) for the past eight years.
GRACE has been working to move from a once-a-year discussion of racism to an on-going campaign to make Grand Rapids a more inclusive community. Through a deliberate process of planning, conference leaders have reached the point where they are prepared to launch the new campaign at the Summit later this month. Nine members of the firm attended the Summit last year, and five members participated in a follow up session where the structure of the new campaign began to take form.
The central focus of the campaign will be to bring together businesses, churches and civic organizations that wish to be publicly identified as promoting equality in the Grand Rapid community. A committee of local business, church and civic leaders has been working to develop standards that will be used to identify organizations with a demonstrated commitment to equality within their organization and in the community. Warner Norcross & Judd was one of the organizations surveyed by the committee in order to establish a set of best practices. Organizations that achieve the standards established by the committee will be publicly recognized. (3/12/2007)
Warner Norcross Participates in 2nd Annual NALP Diversity Summit
Warner Norcross participated for a second year in the Diversity Summit sponsored by the National Association of Law Placement. The conference, held in Chicago on March 2, brought together law firms and law school placement professionals from around the country to exchange information on current challenges and innovations in achieving law first diversity. Topics included measuring and holding law firms accountable for diversity, understanding white privilege in the context of a law firm, developing a law firm diversity plan, and improving retention rates for diverse attorneys. Participating from Warner Norcross were Dan Ettinger (Chair of our Professional Staff Committee), Carin Ojala (Director of Professional Development), and Rodney Martin (Diversity Partner). (3/2/2007)
Three Warner Norcross Attorneys Participate in Leadership Academy for Women of Color Attorneys
Three Warner Norcross attorneys attended a conference to help women of color attorneys in law firms and legal departments develop critical skills necessary to success in the legal profession. Yvette Bradley, Jennifer Nichols and Ali Mulder each traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, on February 8 and 9, 2007, to attend the conference, which was conducted by The Leadership Academy for Women of Color Attorneys. The program included discussions of mentoring, networking, marketing, work/life effectiveness, and the recent survey of women of color attorneys by the American Bar Association.
Warner Norcross Renews Commitment to Radio in Black and White
Warner Norcross has renewed its commitment to sponsor Radio in Black and White, a one-hour weekly radio program that features candid discussions of race and diversity. Longtime friends Rick Wilson and Skot Welch host the program, which can be heard every Monday morning at 8 a.m. on WTKG (AM 1230) in Grand Rapids. Podcasts of the program can be downloaded from the program's Web site (www.radioinblackandwhite.com) or from iTunes.
Warner Norcross Diversity Efforts Featured in Legal News
The Detroit Legal News and the Oakland County Legal News have featured the diversity efforts of Warner Norcross in their recent editions. Reporter Christine L. Mobley interviewed Warner Norcross Diversity Partner Rodney Martin about the Firm's diversity initiatives, which were highlighted in the Firm's 2006 Diversity Annual Report. You can view a copy of the article here.
Warner Norcross Announces Winners of Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay Contest
On January 15, 2007, Warner Norcross announced the winners of the Second Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay contest, which is sponsored by the Firm. The essay contest is conducted in partnership with the Grand Rapid Public Schools. GRPS students in the sixth grade are asked to write short essays about one of three quotes from the late civil rights leader and to explain how they can make Dr. King's dream a reality in our community.
Over 150 students entered the contest this year. The essays were judged by Warner Norcross attorneys and staff based on originality, clarity, organization, and knowlege of Dr. King and his work in the civil rights movement. Winning students received either a savings bond or a gift certificate to a local bookstore.
For information about the winners, see the Press Release.
Warner Norcross Publishes First Diversity Annual Report
As part of the Firm's commitment to diversity, Warner Norcross has published its first Diversity Annual Report. The 2006 report, which can be downloaded by clicking here, details the progress we made on our diversity initiatives during 2006. Highlights of the report include:
Steps the Firm has taken to create a more inclusive workplace
Successes of our efforts to recruit and retain women and minority attorneys
Community and professional activities that we undertake
Financial support that we provide for scholarships, events, exhibitions and related local and state programs
Expanding Opportunities for Women: Warner Norcross Joins Catalyst
Warner Norcross is the first law firm in Michigan to join Catalyst, one of the nation's leading research and advisory organizations working with businesses and professional firms to build inclusive environments and expand opportunities for women at work. Catalyst (www.catalyst.org) conducts research on all aspects of women's career advancement and provides global strategic consulting services.
"Catalyst is a great resource for research and information about issues faced by women in the workplace and the initiatives that businesses have taken to address those issues," said Dan Ettinger, Chair of the Warner Norcross Professional Staff Committee. "We will be using Catalyst to advise us as we review the Firm's flextime policy for attorneys and study work-life effectiveness issues."