East Meets West at Fall Mixer Hosted by MSU College of Law

MSU College of Law served as the backdrop for a social function bringing together the West and East Chapters of the Federal Bar Association (FBA). Michigan’s federal legal community of judges and attorneys connected with professional acquaintances and long-time associates and met new colleagues during the Fall Mixer.

Amid the background sounds of the College of Music Gigline Trio, the East and West Chapter members circulated with each other and spent time with law students planning careers in law. Headlining a short program was MSU College of Law Dean Linda Sheryl Greene, and the Chief Justices of the East and West Districts.

Before introducing Chief Justice for the Western District, Hala Y. Jarbou and Chief Justice of the Eastern District Sean F. Cox for a few remarks, Dean Greene welcomed the members of the FBA chapters and acknowledged the special guests:

Federal Judges

  • The Honorable Kimberly Altman, U.S. Magistrate Judge - Eastern
  • The Honorable Cori Barkman, Clinton Co. (29th) Circuit Court Judge - Western
  • The Honorable Jane M. Beckering, U.S. District Court Judge - Western
  • The Honorable Hugh Brenneman, Jr., U.S. Magistrate Judge - Western
  • The Honorable Sean Cox, Chief Judge of the Eastern District
  • The Honorable Phillip J. Green, U.S. Magistrate Judge - Western
  • The Honorable Curtis Ivy, U.S. Magistrate Judge - Eastern
  • The Honorable Hala Y. Jarbou, Chief Judge of the Western
  • The Honorable Shalina Kumar, U.S. District Court Judge – Eastern
  • The Honorable Brock Swartzle, U.S. Court of Appeals (4th District) Judge - Western
  • The Honorable Clay West, Kent County (17th) Circuit Court Judge – Western

East Chapter of FBA

  • Outgoing President George Donnini
  • President-Elect Andrew Lievense

West Chapter of FBA

  • Outgoing President Britt Cobb
  • President-Elect James Liggins

Both Chief Justices remarked on the impressive turnout and expressed appreciation to MSU College of Law and Dean Greene for hosting the joint event. Additionally, both Justices committed to making these joint events a more regular occurrence after the hiatus during the pandemic. After some friendly banter about their working relationship and a little good-natured jousting over who works in the best district, both Justices encouraged attendees to network to build greater collegiality within Michigan’s federal legal community.

  • (L-R) Judge Cox, Dean Greene, Judge Jarbou
  • Mr. Liggins with COL students
  • (L-R) Judge Altman, Judge Beckering, Mr. Donnini, Chief Justice Cox, Ms. Newby, Chief Judge Jarbou, Mr. Lievense, Dean Greene, Mr. Liggins, Frank Aiello, Ms. Cobb, Matthew Allen
  • COL students with MSU Law Adjunct Professor Jay Yelton
  • Dean Greene giving thumbs up to Chief Justice Cox
  • (L-R) Western District members Brian Lennon, Gaetan Gerville-Reache, Ms. Cobb, Rachel Frank
  • (L-R) Eastern District Jennifer Anton, COL Professor Justin Simard
  • Judge Beckering with MSU Law Adjunct Professor Yelton
  • (L-R) Western District members Youngdahl Neil and Charles Ash
  • (L-R) Brendon Basiga and Kendra Basiga with COL students
  • (L-R) Chief Justice Jarbou, COL students, Western District member Cirlio Masrtinez
  • Judge Swartzle and COL students
  • Chief Judge Jarbou with (L-R) Western District members Jarrod Trombley, Janelle Shankin, and Michael Bovill; Eastern District member Ms. Anton; COL student
  • Dean Greene

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