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 Victoria Roberts, Ret. Judge Gerald Rosen, Michael Molitor, E. Powell Miller, T. Maxwell Carey, Daniel Quick, I.W. Winsten, Ian Williamson, Pat Lannen, Mike Weaver, Paul Mersino, James Allen, Sara MacWilliams, Ben Aloia, Joe Duffy, Ryan Plecha, H. Joel Newman, Noah Mathews, 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
READ WHY YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS SYMPOSIUM
(click here for article)
“The business dispute and the lawyers who handle them are very different from what you find in other areas of law, the intellectual rigor combined with the intense trial work makes for a special kind of lawyer and a unique manner of lawsuit. That’s what we’re going to be exploring at this year’s Symposium.” ~ Mark Rossman
2026 Program Agenda
Doors open at 4:00pm
| Time | Topic | Speakers |
| 4:30pm |
Opening Statement Remarks from BLS Chair |
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 | A conversation about promoting and marketing the business law practice | Paul Mersino Chuck Bullock |
| 6:35pm | Break | |
| 7:00pm |
3-on-3 Competing Panel Discussions: Breaking Up The Professional Corporation; It’s Hard to Do |
James Allen Moderator: Joe Duffy Moderator: |
| 7:50pm |
Debate Topic: to be revealed. |
E. Powell Miller
Moderator: |
In Association With
