A crowded field vies for the
Woods Municipal Court bench

Editor's note: This story has been updated.

The election of Judge Lynn Pierce to Wayne Circuit Court last year vacated her position with the Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court, which also provides services to the Shores. In a year when the Woods municipal elections turned into a full slate of unopposed incumbents and newcomers, the court election is the only race with any contention.

The court's jurisdiction includes civil matters up to $3,000 and criminal misdemeanors occurring within the city, where punishment does not exceed 93 days. The court also handles arraignment, setting bail and preliminary examinations in felony cases, as well as traffic offenses, city charter and ordinance violations, and landlord-tenant disputes. The judge's position is part-time.

Below, three candidates respond to a GrossePointeToday.com questionnaire about themselves and their candidacies. Two others submitted individual statements.

Lisa Pinkos Howle
Age: 52
City of residence: Grosse Pointe Woods
Higher education: University of Detroit Mercy, Juris Doctor 1997; Oakland University, Master of Arts 1980; University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts 1978

What type of law do you practice, and for how long?

For almost twelve years in both Michigan and Ohio. My broad legal experience includes teaching business law, practicing in the area of complex litigation and extensive familiarity with Municipal Law as a current member of the Grosse Pointe Woods City Council. I am currently of counsel to Kelley Casey, P.C. in St. Clair Shores. I have represented clients in a variety of civil legal matters, including insurance coverage with respect to environmental pollution, construction defects, and asbestos bodily injury claims and in commercial and construction litigation. I currently also practice in the area of equine law and liability.

What, briefly, is your experience before with Woods Municipal Court and/or other municipal courts in the Pointes?

I have practiced in Michigan circuit, district and municipal courts in both civil and criminal matters including in the Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores Municipal Court. I also spent the last year observing the Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court each Wednesday. No other candidate was in the courtroom during that period of time.

The Pointes' are among the last municipal courts left in the state. At a time when the public's resources are so strained and government is under pressure to be more efficient, speak to the pros and cons of maintaining a separate Woods Municipal Court vs. a Pointe-wide District Court?

Some revenue is generated from the Municipal Court. Management of the court is conducted by the dity administration and cases are kept local. The efficiency of the court speaks for itself.

Is there anything you'd change about the court's operation?

Not at this time.

Why are you the ideal candidate for this position?

I was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Woods and am a 52-year resident of the Woods. My father, the late Benjamin W. Pinkos, served as mayor of Grosse Pointe Woods for 3 terms and helped build our community as a member of city council from 1959-1979. My husband of 24 years, Michael, also a lifetime Woods resident, as well as our two children, Allison and Cameron, graduated from Grosse Pointe North. Like many of you, I have an elderly parent who is still living in Grosse Pointe Woods. My family is truly invested in this community and I am dedicated to providing the safest neighborhoods possible.

After I graduated from Grosse Pointe North, I earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, a Master of Arts from Oakland University and finally (when our children were very young) a Juris Doctorate from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where I was an associate Law Review editor, a published author and a moot court semi-finalist. If elected, I hope to develop and coach a national high school moot court team at Grosse Pointe North.

I was admitted to the bar after a 20-year career as a commercial heat treat factory owner in Warren, Michigan where I participated in transactions with automotive manufacturers and in corporate management, including serving as president making me the most well-rounded of all the candidates.

As a city council member, I understand the history behind many of the ordinances and laws and I will efficiently defend those laws. I have voted on the municipal court budget and staffing for six years and I have a clear understanding of the municipal court. I have made decisions as a member of the zoning board of appeals on building issues in Grosse Pointe Woods. In fact, I am the only candidate with direct municipal experience in the city of Grosse Pointe Woods.

Above all, I will use common sense as judge to punish those who commit crimes in our city, violate our ordinances and disregard the laws of Grosse Pointe Woods. I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a community leader, a business owner and an attorney. I am the most well-rounded candidate to become the next Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court judge. 

Ted Metry
Age: 42
City of residence: Grosse Pointe Woods
Higher education: 1989 graduate of the University of Michigan; 1992 graduate of the University of Detroit School of Law 

What type of law do you practice, and for how long?

I have practiced law for 17 years. Currently I represent clients in a variety of legal matters, including criminal, personal injury, real estate, civil and business matters, while counseling my clients regarding their everyday questions and legal needs.  I have extensive trial court experience and have previously served as an independent arbitrator, mediator and court appointed case evaluator.
 
What, briefly, is your experience before with Woods Municipal Court and/or other municipal courts in the Pointes?

I have practiced for several years before the Woods Municipal court as well as the other municipal courts in the Grosse Pointes.  The matters I have handled consist of the basic traffic ticket, drunk driving, MIP's, and other criminal matters as well as smaller civil disputes for both plaintiffs and defendants.

The Pointes' are among the last municipal courts left in the state. At a time when the public's resources are so strained and government is under pressure to be more efficient, speak to the pros and cons of maintaining a separate Woods Municipal Court vs. a Pointe-wide District Court?

Under the current court structure, Grosse Pointe Woods essentially controls all aspects of its court administration and docket and keeps all revenue.  Further a municipal court equals less cost to the city. If a district court was established the Woods would lose their autonomy as well as some revenue. 

A district court, on the other side, would provide our residents with the better administration of justice simply by operating on a daily basis.  The citizens would be better served in civil matters as the courts monetary jurisdiction would increase to $25,000. However, this too would come at a cost of higher salaries for all personnel, as well as the need for new or updated facilities, as none of the Pointes' current courtrooms, lockups etc. would meet requirements.
 
Is there anything you'd change about the court's operation? 

I would like to see the court and or its facilities be used on a more full-time basis.  I would look to do this by implementing certain innovative, results-driven programs that could address critical issues as well as generate income.  Examples of some programs I have worked with in the past and have seen great results are the following:  Senior Citizen Anti-Theft Program, Traffic Attitude Program, Drug Court, Sobriety Court and Domestic Violence Court. I would also implement a Court in School or School in Court Program, so our impressionable students could see up close the results of bad life choices.

I would also be interested in possibly staggering court times to avoid long waits and delays.
 
Why are you the ideal candidate for this position?

My experience as an attorney representing clients in all types of matters throughout the state of Michigan, including the Grosse Pointe municipal courts, together with my extensive trial court experience in both criminal and civil matters makes me the ideal candidate for the Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Judge.  I am running because Grosse Pointe Woods needs a judge with the right practical experience who will uphold the law and treat everyone fairly, with dignity and respect.  I am not a politician or a bureaucrat, I am an attorney who handles the cases our court hears everyday and will be responsive to our residents' concern. 

Gregory L. Ulrich
Age: 57
City of residence: Grosse Pointe Woods
Higher education: University of Detroit School of Law, J.D. 1977; University of Detroit, A.B., Magna cum Laude, 1974

What type of law do you practice, and for how long?

For 32 years I’ve represented a broad range of clients in civil litigation, transactional work and criminal matters. Over these years a variety of practice areas have emerged, ranging from business and commercial work to governmental, employment, real estate, technology, courts and estates. I’ve enjoyed a wide ranging law practice–from criminal and simple traffic offenses, to significant and precedent-setting civil trials.

For these recent 17 years I have been a partner with a state-wide law firm representing public, private and individual clients in all state and federal trial courts and in mediation.

I’ve served as a city and township attorney, represented governmental units and public officials, and was retained last year by then Chief Judge William Giovan to represent the Wayne County Circuit Court in litigation.

Recently, I presented a program on court collections to chief judges from district courts in seven counties of southeast Michigan.

During over 15 years as an attorney with the Michigan Supreme Court, I worked to improve 64 trial courts, ensure compliance with court rules, advise 280 judges, and resolve fiscal and operational issues.

New technology and new laws, including decriminalization of traffic offenses were implemented. Municipal courts were among my responsibilities. I provided guidance to Wayne County’s Juvenile Court for three years, and was an acting associate state court administrator for the assignment of judges.

I developed new approaches to standardize court forms, so the public has an easier time dealing with routine court matters, and to provide uniformity among courts.

I served as a law clerk to the chief judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court during law school at the University of Detroit. Later I was a Deputy Wayne County Circuit Court clerk for circuit judges who were dealing with an overloaded criminal court docket.

What, briefly, is your experience before with Woods Municipal Court and/or other municipal courts in the Pointes?

Although I have practiced in all the Grosse Pointe municipal courts, I also had an administrative role in overseeing court operations in the municipal courts, ensuring that they had the guidance and resources needed for effective performance. This included case management and financial help.

My District Court practice is functionally equivalent to our municipal courts. Of course day-to-day law practice involves working in those courts. In some communities, I have a role as a city or township attorney, as my law firm represents municipalities and governmental units.

I also worked on the transition of courts to district status and trained judges and staff in procedure and court rule compliance. This included the changeover to civil infractions, and changes in landlord-tenant court rules.

Over the years, reviews of a few of the municipal courts did take place that revealed financial or operational shortcomings, where improvements were implemented.

The Pointes' are among the last municipal courts left in the state. At a time when the public's resources are so strained and government is under pressure to be more efficient, speak to the pros and cons of maintaining a separate Woods Municipal Court vs. a Pointe-wide District Court?

Having been involved in providing fiscal and facility background to the municipalities during early moves to convert all of the municipal courts to a Grosse Pointe-wide District Court, the relatively lower costs of the municipal courts, then approaching almost half the cost of a District Court, were a factor.

Today, the declining caseload in certain categories, coupled with the civil jurisdictional cap of $3,000, would widen the difference in cost.

Overall caseload for the now five cities is now declining at a rate of about 1,000 cases (excluding parking tickets) per year since 2004. Comparative trends for District Courts also show a decline since 2007. I would anticipate that landlord-tenant will continue to rise, as it has since 2008, as well as consumer and collection litigation, especially as credit cards stop mandatory arbitration.

Efficiencies, whether through technology or procedural modifications are already under study for all Courts. Probation oversight is another area for improvement.

The State Bar Board of Commissioners just approved a Judicial Crossroads Task Force to look at changes that meet the needs of the public, yet still ensures access to justice. Similar efforts may materialize if a constitutional convention is called in 2010. That may look more seriously at consolidation of courts, across political and municipal boundaries.

We therefore need to be aware and involved as these efforts go forward.

Is there anything you'd change about the court's operation?

Michigan’s Code of Judicial Conduct calls on Judges to educate the public and work to improve the administration of justice. I would like to bring new services and financial resources to the Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court for the benefit of the public:

1) Reduce Court cost and delay. Technology, special grants, and new courtroom procedures can maintain legal safeguards, and ensure budget accountability. Grants for the court will be actively sought. Evening court sessions can be explored, too

2) Add a Small Claims docket. The savings and simplicity of this to individuals and businesses is long overdue. The Municipal Court civil jurisdictional limit of $3,000 is the same as small claims, so caseload would not rise. I would seek to remedy the lack of easy access for those cases where an individual or business would like to handle a case for damages on their own. It’s an option in District Courts, and it should be here in Grosse Pointe Woods.

3) Provide a free legal services program for Seniors to receive basic legal advice, with volunteer attorneys. Pro bono services from area attorneys are an untapped resource. As I’ve seen from my work chairing the State Bar Senior Lawyer Planning, there are experienced attorneys, some who are retired, who want to help.

4) Bring civics education back to our Grosse Pointe Woods schools, through the Lawyer-Teacher Partnership–bringing the judicial system and how to deal with everyday legal problems to our students. This meets the challenge made by (U.S. Supreme Court) Justice David Souter to “…make civic education real again…”

5) Provide free volunteer attorney mediation as an option to the formal court process. It works, and it resolves disputes in a close knit community.

Why are you the ideal candidate for this position?

Judges serve…a lawyer helps. That’s what I’ve learned over these 34 years about Judges, Courts, the needs of the public, and having an efficient judicial system.

Professional leadership since 1975, including election to the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners by my fellow attorneys, and serving as chairperson of the State Bar Representative Assembly has allowed me to do my part to improve our laws and courts. I’ve worked on new legislative priorities for the administration of justice and countless legal outreach programs.

Whether sitting on the Judicial Ethics Committee, participating in the Race & Gender Bias Task Force, Client Security Fund, Character & Fitness Panels or serving on the Justice Mary Coleman’s Commission on Children, the work is for the protection of the Public.

I’m fortunate to work on both sides of the bench, as an attorney advocating for clients, and on the other side, supporting judges and administrators in managing the “business side” of the court.

The Michigan judges, lawyers and citizens who are supporting me have all worked with me, some over my entire legal career.
The bottom line is that I offer a considerable background of experience guiding and shaping courts that goes beyond the complexities of a modern law practice. The opportunity to have served and learned while at the Michigan Supreme Court gives me tools and insight only a few have been fortunate to experience. Bringing in resources to the Grosse Pointe Woods Court, and being effective on the bench go together in this economy. I really can’t think of it as giving back, but moving forward; offering more.

Above all, Grosse Pointe Wood provides a comforting family home. Linda, my wife of 28 years, is a teacher, who also spent 17 years serving autistic and special needs populations, a devotion to children and education that she instills in our children and others.

Our three children were schooled in the Grosse Pointe Schools and at Star of the Sea, where I served as president of the School Board. Our oldest son, Todd is now a packaging engineer. Our 12 year old daughter, Tessa, is in middle school and plays for the Grosse Pointe Hockey Association.

Our younger son, Scott, was serving as a U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal when he died in the line of duty last year. His was true commitment beyond anything we as parents could imagine. The community support to us, and others who have lost a child, is in out hearts.

Life’s tragedies and joys contribute to making an understanding judge, who listens first, and decides fairly.

I’m committed to be the best, bring in the best resources, and to serve Grosse Pointe Woods effectively, impartially and humbly. 

William F. Rabaut has been a licensed attorney since 1985, and a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Juris Doctorate in Law from Detroit College of Law in 1985, BA from Wayne State University 1980, a graduate of Austin Catholic Prep 1971.

An area of concern for Mr. Rabaut as he seeks to become Grosse Pointe Woods’ next municipal judge is for the legal system to reach out to the young people of the community, particularly high school students, to make them understand the serious legal consequences of making bad decisions, particularly in the areas of drug and alcohol abuse.

Rabaut has been a general practice attorney, throughout the court systems of Michigan for over 24 years, including the Grosse Pointe municipal courts. He understands the law and its application in the municipal court system.

Rabaut is the son of Vincent and Virginia Rabaut, the originators of the family-owned business that has been serving Grosse Pointe Woods for over 50 years, now being managed by second generation, Robert and Sandra Rabaut. Married to his wife, Joan Becker Rabaut for over 21 years and they have three children: Christine (2007 GPN), Brigitte (2009 GPN) and Michelle a 2013 anticipated graduate of GPN.

Rabaut brings a lifetime of practical, business, family and legal experience to the job: a precinct delegate while a resident of Grosse Pointe City, school board and the Parish Council for Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish while a resident of Harper Woods, and an usher for St. Philomena Parish for 15 years. His family has resided in Grosse Pointe Woods for over seven years, and they are members of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish. Rabaut is also a member of AmVets Squal 121. Nominated and endorsed by the GPW residents.

Robert Radnick: As you are aware, a large share of the Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court docket has to do with traffic violations. While employed as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County, I was assigned to the Traffic and Ordinance Division of Recorders Court in Detroit. While so posted, I spent a figurative eight hours a day for eight years handling the prosecution of misdemeanor and felony traffic cases brought under state statutes. On occasion, I represented the city of Detroit in cases brought under city ordinances. Handling the prosecution of cases brought under state statute involved reviewing police reports for warrant recommendations, conducting pre-trial conferences and taking unresolved cases to trial.

Before transferring out of traffic court, I authored a practice manual for attorneys practicing in Detroit's Traffic Court. The short title of the publication is Radnick's Vestpocket Guide.

I have appeared in the Woods municipal court on occasion, and have been favorably impressed by its administration. I would like to see a more orderly and private system of conducting pre-trials held on trial day, but the corrections would have to come from the city executive branch rather than the judicial branch, because the court does not involve itself in a case before the case is called before the judge.

I am ambivalent in thinking whether the municipal courts of the Grosse Pointes should be merged into one district court. There might be some economy realized by the consolidation of the courts, but there would be a loss of local identity and fines that would be shared among the municipalities and the state. 

• Login or register to post comments
• Printer-friendly version
• Send by email