Defense Committees & Specialized Working Groups

CDAM's Additional Committees

The CDAM 2026–2027 committees handle organizational governance, policy, and legislative tracking. Specialized branches like the Amicus Committee and the Strike Force provide vital advocacy and legal backup for criminal defense attorneys facing unjust courtroom challenges or sanctions.

Concurrently, the Education Committee drives professional development through targeted training programs, annual webinars, and major seasonal conferences. To advance the profession statewide, CDAM also maintains active representation via appointed liaisons to key regulatory bodies like the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.

Note: CDAM President Ives is ex-officio member of all committees.

Responsible for reviewing requests for, recommending, and coordinating the preparation and filing of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of CDAM.

John Minock, Co-Chair
Dan Grow, Co-Chair
Stuart Friedman
Brad Hall
Matt Monahan
Arthur Jay Weiss
Jessica Zimbelman
Christine Pagac, Amicus Advisor.

Rhonda Ives, Chair
Michael Carter
Vic Mansour
Harry Mihas
Nicole Smith
Bill Swor
Pat Cherry
Stephanie Farkas

CDAM board members and others added as subcommittees formulate:

Expert Expo:

Takura Nyamfukudza

Good Works Campaign:

Stephanie Farkas

Responsible for selecting annual award recipients. Works closely with Annual Dinner sub-committee members.

Patty Maceroni
Stuart Friedman
Rhonda Ives
Elizabeth LaCosse
Harry Mihas
Nicole Smith
Arthur Jay Weiss

Responsible for evaluating and recommending amendments to CDAM bylaws. Meets when needed.

Mike Steinberg
John Shea
other appointed when needed

Responsible for member communication through email, social media, and print publications. Oversees CDAM website.

Harry Mihas, Chair

Responsible for acting on behalf of CDAM on policy and operation matters in between board meetings, with actions subject to ratification by the Board of Directors.

Rhonda B. Ives, Chair
Patrick A. Cherry
Stephanie Farkas
Victor Mansour
Harry Mihas

Responsible for preparing and implementing CDAM’s educational and training goals and objectives.

Co-Chairs: Elizabeth LaCosse and Harry Mihas

SKILL TRAINING

A is For Attorney

Chair: Lisa Kirsch-Satawa, Tiffany DeBruin, Rhonda B. Ives

Evidence Boot Camp

Chair: Nicole Smith, Patrick Cherry, Harry Mihas

Jury Selection

Chair: Mariell Lehman, Jim Samuels

PowerPoint

Chair: Jim Amburg, Victor Mansour

Skills Training 101

Chair: Stephanie Farkas, Christine Tober, Liz Young

Trial College

Co-Chairs: Elizabeth LaCosse, Dominic Andriacchi, Lauren Askew, Tiffany DeBruin

Trilogies, Triads, and Triumphs

Chair: James Samuels

ANNUAL

Webinar

Chair: Daryl Waters, Dana Harper, Patricia Maceroni, Joyce Reasonover, Syndey Rushing, Arthur Jay Weiss

Macomb Bar Liaison

Chair: Timothy Kohler

26 Fall Conference

Co-Chairs: Patty Maceroni and Harry Mihas, Bernard Jocuns, Tracie Dinehart, James Gerometta, Dan Duke, Anne Yantus

27 New Orleans – Beth LaCosse and Harry Liaison

27 Spring Conference

Co-Chairs: Beth LaCosse and Lisa Kirsch Satawa, Sonia Chenault, Daryl Waters, and Anne Yantus

Youth Defense
Chair: Tracie Dinehart

Responsible for determining CDAM’s financial needs, operating budget and reports

Chair: Harry Mihas

Victor Mansour
Rhonda Ives

Responsible for CDAM’s annual election of officers and directors.

Chair: Bernard Jocuns

Responsible for monitoring and increasing membership and developing and implementing member benefits and activities.

TBD

Responsible for oversight, recruitment, and training of volunteer attorneys to assist Michigan criminal defense attorneys who are appropriately representing their clients and who, as a result, find themselves under attack. Circumstances where Strike Force aid may be provided include threats of contempt of court or other sanctions, or threats of sanction, which may hinder the criminal defense attorney in fairly representing their client.

Chair: Arthur Jay Weiss

John Minock
Jim Thomas
Ken Mogill
John Shea
Harry Mihas

Responsible for informing members of changes or proposed changes to State and Federal Rules of evidence, rules of the courts, and legislation. Works closely with CDAM’s lobbyist.

Co-Chairs: Peggy Raben, John Shea, Jessica Zimbelman