Biographies Of Commission Members And Staff

 

 

 

RICHARD D. McLELLAN

 

 

Richard D. McLellan, is Chairman of the Michigan Law Revision Commission, a position he has filled since 1986 following his appointment as a public member of the Commission in 1985.

 

Mr. McLellan is a lawyer with the law firm of Dykema Gossett PLLC and serves as the Member-in-charge of the firm’s Lansing Office and as the leader of the firm’s Government Policy & Practice Group.  He is responsible for the firm's public policy, administrative law and lobbying practices in Lansing, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

 

Mr. McLellan started his career as an administrative assistant to Governor William G. Milliken and as director of the Michigan Office of Drug Abuse.

 

Following the 1990 Michigan elections, McLellan was named Transition Director to then Governor-elect John Engler.  In that capacity, he assisted in the formation of Governor Engler’s Administration and conducted a review of state programs.  He has also been appointed by the Governor as Chairman of the Corrections Commission, a member of the Michigan Export Development Authority, a member of the Michigan International Trade Authority, a member of the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees and a member of the Michigan Jobs Commission.

 

During the administration of President Gerald Ford, he served as an advisor to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration as a member of the National Advisory Food and Drug Committee of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

 

In 1990, Mr. McLellan was appointed by President George Bush as a Presidential Observer to the elections in the People’s Republic of Bulgaria.  The elections were the first free elections in the country following 45 years of Communist rule.  In 1996, he again acted as an observer for the Bulgarian national elections.  And again in February, 1999, he acted as an observer for the Nigerian national elections with the International Republican Institute.

 

Mr. McLellan is a member of the Board of Governors of the Cranbrook Institute of Science, one of Michigan’s leading science museums.  He helped establish and served for 10 years as president of the Library of Michigan Foundation.  He helped establish and served as both President and Chairman of the Michigan Japan Foundation, the private foundation providing funding for the Japan Center for Michigan Universities. 

 

Mr. McLellan serves as member of the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law.

 

Mr. McLellan is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, the Oxford Foundation and the Cornerstone Foundation.

 

McLellan served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mercantile & General Life Reassurance Company of America and is a Trustee of JNL Trust established by the Jackson National Life Insurance Company.  He is also Chairman of the Michigan Competitive Telecommunications Providers Association and Chairman of the Information Technology Association of Michigan.

 

He is a graduate of the Michigan State University Honors College and the University of Michigan Law School.  He has served as an adjunct professor of international studies at Michigan State University.

 

 

ANTHONY DEREZINSKI

 

 

Mr. Derezinski is Vice Chairman of the Michigan Law Revision Commission, a position he has filled since May 1986 following his appointment as a public member of the Commission in January of that year. 

 

Mr. Derezinski is Director of Government Relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards.  He also serves as an adjunct professor of law at The University of Michigan Law School and at the Department of Education Administration of Michigan State University, and previously was a visiting professor of law at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

 

He is a graduate of Muskegon Catholic Central High School, Marquette University, the University of Michigan Law School (Juris Doctor degree), and Harvard Law School (Master of Laws degree). He is married and resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

 

Mr. Derezinski is a Democrat and served as State Senator from 1975 to 1978. He was a member of the Board of Regents of Eastern Michigan University for 14 years and currently serves on the Committee of Visitors of the University of Michigan Law School.  He also is a member of the Boards of Arbor Hospice and Home Care and the Center for the Education of Women in Ann Arbor.

 

He served as a Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General's Corps in the United States Navy from 1968 to 1971 and as a military judge in the Republic of Vietnam. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Derezinski Post 7729, the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the Michigan and National Councils of School Attorneys, and the American Bar Association.

WILLIAM C. WHITBECK

 

 

Judge William C. Whitbeck is a public member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission and has served since his appointment in January 2000.

 

Judge Whitbeck was born on January 17, 1941, in Holland, Michigan, and was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  His undergraduate education was at Northwestern University, where he received a McCormack Scholarship in Journalism.  He received his LL.B. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1966, and was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1969.

 

Judge Whitbeck has held a variety of positions with the state and federal governments, including serving as Administrative Assistant to Governor George Romney from 1966 to 1969, Special Assistant to Secretary George Romney at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1969 to 1970, Area Director of the Detroit Area Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1970 to 1973, Director of Policy of the Michigan Public Service Commission from 1973 to 1975 and Counsel to Governor John Engler for Executive Organization/Director of the Office of the State Employer from 1991 to 1993.  He served on the Presidential Transition Team of President-Elect Ronald Reagan in 1980, and as Counsel to the Transition Team of Governor-Elect John Engler in 1990.

 

In private practice, Judge Whitbeck was a partner in the law firm of McLellan, Schlaybaugh & Whitbeck from 1975 to 1982, a partner in the law firm of Dykema, Gossett, Spencer, Goodnow and Trigg from 1982 to 1987, and a partner in the law firm of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn from 1993 to 1997.

 

Judge Whitbeck is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the American Bar Association, the Ingham County Bar Association, the Castle Park Association, and the Michigan Historical Commission and serves as the Chair of the Commission.  He is a member of the board of the Michigan Historical Center Foundation and is a Fellow of both the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation.

 

Judge Whitbeck and his wife, Stephanie, reside in downtown Lansing in a 125 year old historic home that they have completely renovated.  They are members of St. Mary Cathedral.

 

Governor John Engler appointed Judge Whitbeck to the Court of Appeals effective October 22, 1997, to a term ending January 1, 1999.  Judge Whitbeck was elected in November of 1998 to a term ending January 1, 2005.  Chief Judge Richard Bandstra designated Judge Whitbeck as Chief Judge Pro Tem of the Court of Appeals effective January 1, 1999.  The Supreme Court appointed Judge Whitbeck as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals effective January 1, 2002.

 

 

GEORGE E. WARD

 

 

Mr. Ward is a public member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission and has served since his appointment in August 1994.

 

Mr. Ward was the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Wayne County in the administration of the Honorable John D. O’Hair.  Prior to that, he was a clerk to a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and in private civil practice for twenty years in the City of Detroit.  He recently returned to private practice in Detroit.

 

He is a graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul High School, Saginaw, the University of Detroit, and the University of Michigan Law School.  He is married and the father of five children.

 

Mr. Ward is an Adjunct Professor at the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University, Wayne State University Law School, and University of Michigan-Dearborn; a member of the Boards of Directors of Wayne Center, Wayne County Catholic Social Services and Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services; past President of the Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers; a former member and President of the Board of Control of Saginaw Valley State University; a former commissioner of the State Bar of Michigan; and a former commissioner and President of the Wayne County Home Rule Charter Commission.

 

 

BILL BULLARD, JR.

 

 

Mr. Bullard is a legislative member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission and has served on the Commission since July 1996.

 

Mr. Bullard is a Republican State Senator representing the 15th Senatorial District.  He was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1982 and served in that body until his election to the Senate in July 1996.  He is currently Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Tourism Committee, as well as the Senate Financial Services Committee.  Mr. Bullard also serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Hunting, Fishing and Forestry Committee.  He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.  Mr. Bullard is also the only practicing attorney serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 

Mr. Bullard is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Detroit College of Law.  He has three children.

 

Mr. Bullard is the recipient of the first annual Legislator of the Year award from the Michigan Townships Association.  He has been recognized by the National Federation of Independent Business with the Guardian Award, the Oakland County School Board Association with the Distinguished Service award, the Michigan Soft Drink Association with the Legislator of the Year award.  In 1999, he was presented with the State Highway Safety Champion award from the Advocates of Highway and Auto Safety.  Mr. Bullard was also recognized by the Michigan Safety Commission in 1999 when they presented him with the State Safety Award.  Mr. Bullard was appointed to the Oakland County Business Roundtable, Transportation and Telecommunications Committee by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.  Mr. Bullard was also recognized for achieving the Michigan Sales Tax Exemption for Rare Coins and Precious Metals by the Industry Council for Tangible Assets.  He was also named Legislator of the Year in 2000 by the Michigan Humane Society, as well as by the National Republican Legislators Association.

 

Mr. Bullard is a member of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL), National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCIL), the Fraternal Order of Police of Southwest Oakland County, the Oakland County Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan.

 

 

GARY PETERS

 

 

Mr. Peters is a legislative member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission and has served on the Commission since June 1995.

 

Mr. Peters is a Democrat State Senator representing the 14th Senatorial District.  He was elected to the Michigan Senate in November 1994.  He serves as the Minority Vice Chair of the Senate Education, Finance, Judiciary, and Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committees, and is a member of the Economic Development, International Trade & Regulatory Affairs Committee. 

 

Prior to being in the Legislature, Mr. Peters was Vice President, Investments, for a major national financial services firm.  He serves as a Securities Arbitrator for the New York Stock Exchange, National Association of Securities Dealers, and the American Arbitration Association.

 

Mr. Peters taught Strategic Management and Business Policy at Oakland University, and was an instructor in the Finance & Business Economics Department at Wayne State University.  His educational credentials include a B.A. from Alma College (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Detroit, and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School.

 

His previous government experience includes a term on the Rochester Hills City Council where he served as Chair of the Solid Waste Management Committee, Vice Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee, and a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Paint Creek Trailways Commission.

 

Mr. Peters’ community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors for Common Cause of Michigan, a member of the Environmental Policy Advisory Committee for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and as Chair of the Air Issues Committee for the Michigan Sierra Club.  He recently received the Star Award from the Michigan Deputy Sheriff's Association for his support and dedication to law enforcement issues, and was named Environmentalist of the Year by the Mackinac Chapter of the Sierra Club.

 

Mr. Peters is also a commissioned officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve.  He is married and has three children.

 

 

JAMES L. KOETJE

 

 

Mr. Koetje is a legislative member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission and has served on the Commission since January 2001.

 

Mr. Koetje is a Republican State Representative, serving the 74th House District in Michigan.  Mr. Koetje was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1998.  He is Chair of the Gaming and Casino Oversight Committee, vice-chair of Land Use and the Environment, and serves on the Civil Law and the Judiciary Committee as well as the Commerce Committee.

 

Mr. Koetje has an extensive business and legal background, being an attorney in private practice for more than twenty years.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Calvin College and a law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.

 

Mr. Koetje is a former member of the Grandville City Council and Grandville Zoning Board of Appeals.  He is also a former member of the Classis Committee of the Christian Reformed Church; is a member and past president of the American Business Clubs, and former member of WCET-TV Board of Directors.  Mr. Koetje is also a former member of the board of the Grandville Friendship Homes, an organization dedicated to men and women's adult foster care.  He serves as president of the Grandville Christian School Foundation and is a member of the Greater Grandville Chamber of Commerce.

 

Mr. Koetje is married and has four children.

 

 

STEPHEN ADAMINI

 

 

Mr. Adamini is a legislative member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission and has served on the Commission since January 2001.

 

Mr. Adamini represents the 109th District.  He currently is serving his first term in the House.

 

Mr. Adamini has practiced law for over 32 years.  He is senior partner at Kendricks, Bordeau, Adamini, Chilman & Greenlee, P.C., a Marquette law firm.  He is a graduate of Negaunee High School, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Michigan in 1967 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1970.

 

Mr. Adamini serves as the Democratic vice-chair of the House Civil Law & Judiciary Committee, and he also sits on the House Health Policy Committee.

 

Mr. Adamini has a longtime civic commitment to the Central Upper Peninsula community.  From 1971 to 1976, he served on the Michigan Boundary Commission.  From 1973 to 1979, he served on the Alger-Marquette Community Mental Health Board, including one term as chair and two terms as treasurer.  Mr. Adamini chaired the Marquette County Democratic Party from 1986 to 1992.  He served on the Michigan Transportation Commission, appointed by former Governor Jim Blanchard, from 1987 to 1991.  In 1991, he served on the Marquette County Re-Apportionment Commission.  From 1994 to 1999, he served on the Marquette County Airport Board, including two terms as chairperson.  From 1997 to 2000, he served on the Executive Committee of the Gwinn Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

Mr. Adamini and his wife Linda, a retired elementary school teacher, reside in Marquette.  They have two adult children, Corrine Adamini Ricker and Stephen Jr.  They also have three grandchildren, Alexandra, Marki, and Ryan.

 

 

JOHN G. STRAND

 

 

Since January 2001, Mr. Strand, as the Legislative Council Administrator, has served as the ex-officio member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission.  The following agencies fall under his supervision: Legislative Service Bureau, Library of Michigan (until October 1, 2001), Legislative Council Facilities Agency, Joint Committee on Administrative Rules staff, Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, Michigan Law Revision Commission, Commission on Uniform State Laws, and the Sentencing Commission.  He also served as a member of the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees and Foundation Board until October 1, 2001.

 

Prior to being appointed to the Legislative Council, Mr. Strand served as Chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission since October 1993 and had been a Tribunal Judge for the Michigan Tax Tribunal from January 1993 to October 1993.  He had previously served six terms as a state legislator beginning in 1981, serving in a leadership position and as vice-chairman of the Insurance and the House Oversight Committees and as a member of the Taxation and Judiciary Committees.

 

Mr. Strand is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.  He holds a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in Economics and Political Science in 1973 and a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1976.

 

Mr. Strand, his wife Cathy, and sons Michael and Matthew live in East Lansing, Michigan.

 

 

KEVIN C. KENNEDY

 

 

Mr. Kennedy is the Executive Secretary to the Michigan Law Revision Commission, a position he has filled since December 1995.

 

Mr. Kennedy joined the faculty of Michigan State University - Detroit College of Law in 1987 and has taught courses in civil procedure, conflict of laws, international trade, and international litigation.

 

He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Harvard University.  He was a law clerk at the U.S. Court of International Trade, was a private practitioner in Hawaii, and served as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.  He is married.

 

Mr. Kennedy is the author of nearly forty law review articles concerning international law, international trade, and civil procedure.  He is the co-author of World Trade Law, a treatise on international trade law.

 

 

GARY GULLIVER

 

 

Mr. Gulliver acts as the liaison between the Michigan Law Revision Commission and the Legislative Service Bureau, a responsibility he has had since May 1984.

 

Mr. Gulliver is currently the Director of Legal Research with the Legislative Service Bureau. He is a graduate of Albion College (with honors) and Wayne State University Law School.  He is married and has four children.

 

Mr. Gulliver is also a Commissioner of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.