Thursday, February 12, 2026
at 4:30pm – 8:30pm
The Gem Theatre
333 Madison St, Detroit
In Person Tickets: $135
Program Description
The 8th Annual State Bar of Michigan Business Law Symposium, “The Business of the Lawsuit,” will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at The Gem Theatre in Downtown Detroit, from 4:30 – 8:30 PM. The program will feature an incredibly strong slate of attorneys and entirely new formats to facilitate debate, conversation and interaction with the audience.
Presenters include Ret. Judge Gerald Rosen, E. Powell Miller, Daniel Quick, I.W. Winsten, Ian Williamson, Pat Lannen, Mike Weaver, Paul Mersino, James Allen, S. MacWilliams, Ben Aloia, Joe Duffy, and H. Joel Newman, Linda Oszust, and Mark Rossman.
The cost of the program is $135 for in person ticket, and $50 for a virtual ticket.
Doors open at 4:00pm
Note that the program will feature a 30 minute networking session from 4:30-5:00pm
2026 Program Agenda
Doors open at 4:00pm
| Time | Topic | Speakers |
| 4:30pm |
Opening Statement (Social, Networking, Registration) Remarks from BLS Chair, Michael Molitor |
Mark Rossman Michael Molitor |
| 5:00pm |
Discussion Group Topic: What makes the Business Lawyer unique among lawyers |
I.W. Winsten, Ian Williamson Moderator: Ret. Judge Victoria Roberts |
| 5:35pm |
Discussion Group Topic: The Anatomy of a Business Trial |
Pat Lannen, Mike Weaver Moderator: Linda Oszust |
| 6:10pm | Lecture: Promoting and marketing the business law practice | Paul Mersino |
| 6:35pm | Break | |
| 7:00pm |
2-on-2 Competing Panel Discussions: Breaking Up The Professional Corporation; It’s Hard to Do |
James Allen Moderator: Ben Aloia Joe Duffy Moderator: Ryan Plecha |
| 7:50pm |
Debate Topic: to be revealed. |
E. Powell Miller Moderator: |
