Bodman, SADO Attorneys Work Together to Promote Effective Criminal Justice
01/18/18
As part of the Firm’s ongoing effort to promote access to justice for all, three Bodman attorneys – Donovan Asmar, Amanda Frank, and Tom Rheaume – have served as “judges” in several mock oral argument sessions with attorneys from SADO, the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office.
SADO represents indigent appellants in all state and federal appellate courts. The mock sessions are designed to help SADO attorneys provide the most effective representation possible in criminal defense matters before the Michigan Supreme Court.
“As mock judges, Bodman attorneys help SADO attorneys prepare their oral argument,” Asmar said. “It’s not just a rehearsal – we provide substantive feedback to help them refine their argument and anticipate questions they may receive from the bench.”
Asmar, Frank, and Rheaume bring an unusual level of insight to the sessions because they each began their legal career as a judicial clerk to a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.
“We study each matter carefully before the mock session and tailor our advice specifically for the case at hand,” Asmar added. “It takes us several hours to prepare for each mock oral argument.”
The latest mock oral argument, pictured below, took place in early January at Bodman’s Ford Field office. Participants included (from left to right) Tom Rheaume, Amanda Frank, Donovan Asmar, and SADO attorneys Marilena David-Martin, Adrienne Young, and Jacqueline McCann.
