Nick Roumel for Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Jan 2020 - Nov 2020 11 months. I have handled divorces, felonies, business disputes, wrongful death, employment cases, and negligence. • Nick Roumel, Civil Rights Attorney, Nacht & Roumel PC • Tracy Van den Bergh, Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Health, Education and Family Services and Clinical Social Worker • Daniel Finley, Family Law Attorney, Chelsea, MI. My record of community service is second to none. I have published numerous articles, on first offenders and expungement, immigrant rights, and seeking damages in family law cases. Based on my experience working with domestic violence and sexual assault victims, I will also be able to recognize that some cases will not be appropriate for mediation due to underlying power and control issues. The top two vote-getters will go on to compete in the November general election. Of those that remain, I have chosen to endorse (and vote for) Attorney Nick Roumel for Circuit Court Judge. As a social worker and attorney with family law expertise, I am uniquely qualified to preside over these cases. Judges must have the experience, demeanor, and desire to get from behind the bench to sit with the parties, roll up their sleeves, and help them resolve cases. I also clerked for a federal judge and interned for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. In my prior career as a clinical social worker, I supported 100′s of struggling families; at Legal Services, I assisted over 1,000 vulnerable, under-resourced Washtenaw County residents, specializing in family law issues. Roumel: I have strived to be on the right side of issues, fighting for people who don’t usually have a voice. Mr. Roumel has represented numerous high profile athletes and artists; victims of domestic and sexual violence; and students expelled for exercising constitutional rights. Nick Roumel of Ann Arbor picked up just over 34-percent of the vote while Amy Reiser of Dexter managed a little over 30-percent. I believe that listening is critical to being fair and compassionate, which helps to ensure that justice is served. In the family court, mediation is an important settlement process as it helps parties resolve their case in an environment better suited toward resolution for all. This may include specialized ways of handling mental health, domestic aggression, and sobriety cases. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for a necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. A former UAW member, Mr. Roumel also heads his firm's union-side practice, representing trades workers to professional educators. It is important to remember, however, that every person involved in these cases needs support. What factors would you bring to bear in deciding a case? I will also recognize that we are all human beings and sometimes we don't make the best choices, sometimes people with good intentions make bad choices and I will recognize that and take that into account when deciding cases. Reiser: My career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney has involved representing victims of some very horrific crimes, many of these victims are children who have been abused and adults who have been marginalized by society. I have argued well over a dozen cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and MI Supreme Court, including establishing new law in a family law decision. Both Roumel or Van den Bergh earned more than 25,000 votes during the primary. My campaign slogan is “A Voice for Justice.” But I’m not talking about myself. The non-partisan run-off saw Tracy Van denBergh of Ann Arbor win with just over 35-percent of the vote. Van den Bergh: I take pride in my extensive litigation experience and use of my MSW to benefit vulnerable clients. My commitment to public service is a strong asset that I will bring to the bench. In disputes that come before the court, it will be my job to help parties find that common ground. kickoff celebration for Nick Roumel for Circuit Court Judge! Protect Your Rights : Call Today 888-312-7173. I have very strong ethics and I would not prejudge any case. He also has Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel. What in your education and experience makes you the best qualified candidate for this position? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I also have a decade of experience in psychology, crisis intervention, and education to better serve clients who have suffered trauma. I am running for an open seat on the Washtenaw Circuit Court in 2020. Swartz plans to retire as his term expires in January 2021. My dedication to justice, fairness and respect will be my guiding philosophy on the bench. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. He began his career at the Free Legal Aid Clinic in Detroit, helping victims of domestic violence. ... Michigan State University attorneys are asking a federal judge to dismiss dozens of lawsuits filed by people who say they're victims of sexual abuse by Larry Nassar. Mr. Roumel practices throughout Michigan, staffing the Traverse City office on occasion, and even practicing in the Upper Peninsula. But we sometimes forget to hear each other, especially today when people seem more divided than ever. My entire career, both as a social worker and as a lawyer, has been dedicated to advocating for, and improving the lives, of vulnerable community members. The new judge will be assigned the family court docket during the six-year term in office. Judge of Circuit Court 22nd Circuit Non-Incumbent Position Vote for not more than 1 Tracy E. Van den Bergh Nick Roumel Judge of Probate Court Incumbent Position Vote for not more than 1 Julia B. Owdziej Judge of Probate Court Judge of District Court 14A District Incumbent Position Vote for not more than 1 Anna Maria Frushour Judge of District Court There is nothing more stressful than a judge deciding when, where, and under what circumstances you will see your children. The halved peaches are on the grill, but there are cherries that need to be pitted. For example, when determining a custody case, there are 12 factors that a judge must consider to make sure that the finding is in the child’s best interest. Results for the November 2020 election in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County. $181,571 Total Expenditures. Van den Bergh: Depending on the legal issue, the law requires judges to consider certain factors before deciding a case. Every case will be handled efficiently and with compassion. He has been quoted, and his cases featured, in local media, Newsweek, the Economist, and ESPN, among others. However, I am most proud of my eight years at Legal Services where I was able to offer holistic support services to clients struggling with emergency legal issues. partnered with the League of Women Voters. Paid for by Conti for Judge, P.O. what is your general judicial philosophy? Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Roumel is nominated to a seat on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and worked from 2012 to 2018 as assistant general counsel in the House of Representatives Office of General Counsel. Roumel: We cannot ignore what is happening nationally. Mr. Roumel also has an active appellate practice, winning reversals in matters as diverse as pregnancy discrimination, unemployment compensation, the application of discrimination laws to religious schools, FMLA, False Claims Act retaliation, and the landlord-tenant security deposit act. My unique background has trained me to navigate the unique familial and interpersonal issues involved in family law cases, and will be critical in allowing me to reach the most just legal decision possible. We can partner with universities to study outcomes, and share those results publicly. What are the priority issues facing this court, and how would you address them if elected? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). Voters will decide if they want to elect Nick Roumel or Tracy E. Van Den Bergh to a six-year term to the circuit court. There's a lot of prep work yet to be done. County residents’ taxes variously fund multiple state, county, city, township, and university police forces, and seven courthouses. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. I will lend my voice and experience to these innovation efforts. 6 months ago. Most importantly, the voice of the child will be paramount in my court. Van den Bergh: I believe that the U.S. Constitution is a living document and I believe in equal access to justice. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. The new judge will be assigned the family court docket during the six-year term in office. I will have the same approach as a judge. From there he served the legal needs of Detroit's indigent population at Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services, until 1989 when he moved to University of Michigan Student Legal Services for 14 years. Consolidation of services is especially critical in this day of scarce governmental resources. The final judicial nominee the committee heard from Wednesday was Eleni Roumel, who works as deputy counsel to Vice President Mike Pence. Reiser: One of the priority issues facing circuit court is the need for specialty courts so that we can resolve the underlying issues that cause people to return to court. I am most thankful for helping thousands, throughout my career, to put their legal problems behind them with some measure of justice. ", "Does An Employee Have A Retaliation Claim Based On Protected Activity Of A Third Party? Nicholas Roumel is a trial lawyer with over 30 years' experience. 22nd Circuit Court judge (nonpartisan positions) ... Nick Roumel. From left to right: Amy Reiser, Nick Roumel and Tracy E. Van den Bergh. Van den Bergh and Roumel advance in Washtenaw County trial judge race Updated Aug 05, 2020; Posted Aug 05, 2020 From left to right: Amy Reiser, Nick Roumel and Tracy E. Van den Bergh. We must ensure that judges, staff, attorneys, and juries treat people fairly. Mr. Roumel is an avid cook, authoring "May it Please the Palate" for the Legal News throughout Michigan, and has written regularly for Michigan sports blog MGoBlog as "Counterpunt.". Vote the non-partisan ballot and elect Nick Roumel for Judge. Presently Mr. Roumel focuses on plaintiff's employment and civil rights litigation, as well as educational law matters, such as Title IX sex harassment, assault, and retaliation. It is a six-year term. I very much recommend Nick Roumel for circuit judge. I am running for an open seat on the Washtenaw Circuit Court in 2020. He is also licensed in his home state of Pennsylvania. The winner will hear civil and criminal cases for the Washtenaw County Trial Court. I helped organize a national housing conference, fought against school vouchers, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination. My experience will ensure that no matter what type of case, no issue will be new to me. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. Nick Roumel - A Voice For Justice Nobody Won In Washtenaw County’s primary election, 111,000 of you cast ballots, but only 80,000 voted for a circuit court judge. Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters, Attorney, Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services, serving the indigent population of Detroit in a high-volume federally funded legal aid program, 1985 to 1989, Senior Attorney, University of Michigan's Student Legal Services, 1989 to 2003, Partner, Fett, Roumel, & Fields, 2003 to 2004, Private Practice, Law Office of Nicholas Roumel (& Associates), 1989 to 2010, U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, Michigan “Super Lawyer” in employment law (top 5% of practitioners), "Immigration Consequences of Criminal Proceedings", "Think Your Client's Protected By That H.Y.T.A. As an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, I have an ethical obligation to seek justice, not just for the victim but also to ensure that the case is handled appropriately and within the limits provided by law. Van den Bergh won 28,515 votes and Roumel got 27,524, indicating it would be a tight race in November. I have volunteered with seniors, teens in crisis, disabled adults, and at-risk students. I have assisted victims of domestic violence; people facing foreclosures, evictions, and utility shutoffs; first offenders seeking a second chance; and victims of discrimination at school and work. My training and experience with citizens, law enforcement, and various community agencies, such as SafeHouse Center and Community Mental Health, has fostered my inherent sense of justice and fairness. I will be ethical and honest. Districts 3, 4 and 5 border the city of Ann Arbor. I am a frequent guest lecturer from elementary through law school. All rights reserved (About Us). Here is how each candidate responded to the questions. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. Sunday March 15th, from 2-4 pm at York, 1928 Packard St., Ann Arbor RSVP on Facebook! We should question our methods, and if they don’t make sense, work together for reform. Mr. Roumel has published and presented on matters as diverse as the immigration consequences of criminal convictions, disclosure and consequences of criminal records, and educational matters such as bullying, Title IX and teen suicide. I have won appeals in pregnancy and disability discrimination, employment retaliation, unemployment compensation, landlord-tenant, criminal defense, and police misconduct. The common thread in these cases is that they require a judge who can compassionately manage families and individuals in crisis while still remaining objective and impartial. As an MSW, I am qualified to supervise social work interns who can provide referrals and supportive services at no cost. What have you achieved in your law practice that brings you the most pride? I believe that people have more in common than we sometimes realize. My litigation background has also taught me that needlessly prolonged litigation is not an ideal way to solve problems. I am counsel for many labor unions, from skilled trades to professional educators. 752 likes. I served on the ACLU and NAACP Lawyers’ Committees, and was twice elected to the Ann Arbor School Board. My extensive family court expertise in high-conflict cases--particularly those involving domestic violence, addiction, and mental health elements--has earned me more judicial endorsements than any other candidate. I am especially proud to have been designated a Michigan “Super Lawyer,” reserved for the top 5% of attorneys, selected by peers and opposing counsel. I will run my caseload effectively, and I will take the time to listen to the facts of every case. What are your goals should you be elected and how will you work to accomplish them? We must be vigilant against bias, and streamline cases to make them less cumbersome. Often the victims of crime are poor, suffer from drug addiction, have some type of mental illness, suffer from past trauma or have a disability. MLive Media Group has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information and other voting resources to readers ahead of 2020 elections. The voter guide can be accessed at vote411.org. I have represented many survivors of sexual assault, including those victimized by Larry Nassar and MSU. If elected, I would work with my colleagues on the circuit court bench to implement specialty courts and expand services available to those involved in the court system. A good judge utilizes skills and experience to resolve problems based on the parties’ goals. On the Aug. 4 ballot is Amy Reiser, Nick Roumel and Tracy E. Van den Bergh, who are seeking the seat being vacated by Judge David Swartz. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered an endorsement. Reiser: My education provided several opportunities to gain experience both in the court system and providing for others. Van den Bergh: My goal is to further equal access to justice using a number of devices. Van den Bergh … The benefits of settling cases has been recognized by Abraham Lincoln, Clarence Darrow, and even Jesus (Luke 12:57-59). I will do that by trying to be a different kind of judge. Our courts must demonstrate this not only through our actions, but by a relentless focus on transparency so that the people we serve have confidence in what we do. Since 1999, I have served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. I have tried over 100 cases to verdict before juries, judges, and arbitrators. Subscribe now. As a judge, I will be respectful of all litigants that come before me. (2) My background in social work and law uniquely qualifies me to administer programs that focus on solving problems for people, rather than simply processing cases. Roumel: There is a science and art to deciding cases. I will increase protections for domestic violence survivors during hearings and I plan to develop a child support specialty court to increase compliance with child support payments and stabilize employment for payers. This experience will transfer to the bench and makes me the most qualified candidate. COVID-19: Vaccine news and outbreak updates. One who gets down from the bench, sits at the table with you, and gets to work. Roumel: I’ve spent my entire career helping people have a voice. When we acknowledge that the Constitution includes broad themes that were meant to grow with an evolving society, we provide the judicial branch an opportunity to effect real change and better protect the weakest members of society. I also have a significant federal court practice - critical because Michigan this year adopted the federal court rules. My promise to you is that I will listen attentively, consider thoughtfully, and make ethical decisions for every case that comes into my courtroom. Nick Roumel for Washtenaw Circuit Judge, Ann Arbor, Michigan. I am the only candidate so named. © 2021 NachtLaw, P.C.. All Rights Reserved. I will look at each case individually. Time is valuable, and I know it is a stressful experience to come to court. Nick Roumel for Washtenaw Circuit Judge, Ann Arbor, Michigan. I will listen to both sides and give them an opportunity to be heard. ", "Michigan Public School Teachers Coping With Tenure Reform", "Asking For Facebook And Other Social Media Passwords In A Job Application", “When can Anonymous Internet Posters be Identified and Held Liable?”, Mr. Roumel has won over 40 trials, including nearly 20 jury trials, with a high verdict of $550,000 (Abdullah v. UPS), Hurtt v. ISI, 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, 2015, Gholston v. Wayne County Airport Authority, 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, 2014, Latowski v. Northwoods, 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, 2013, Hovanesian v. Nam, Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Court of Appeals, 1995, Grant v. Detroit Association of Women’s Clubs, Michigan Supreme Court, 1993, Clarke v. North Detroit General Hospital, Michigan Supreme Court, 1991, Michigan Association for Justice, Labor and Employment Section, Washtenaw County Bar Association, Chair, Labor and Employment Section, American Civil Liberties Union, Lawyer's Committee Co-Chair, Washtenaw County Bar Association , Former Member of Board of Directors. In addition, my staff will be trauma informed and trained. On a daily basis, I evaluate the facts of cases, apply the law, and make judgments on how to proceed. Nick Roumel is a trial lawyer with over 30 years experience in state and federal courts. Peacekeeping, restorative justice, and other forms of alternative dispute can also be valuable tools to help parties find their own justice. Each candidate was given a list of questions relevant to the office for which they are campaigning. I am dedicated to this community and I will be fair. By utilizing my MSW to supervise social work interns, clients received additional support services which made it easier, particularly for those with mental health needs, to resolve their legal problems. But attorney Nick Roumel says it’s frustrating that MSU officials have talked about changing the way the university treats victims of sexual abuse and then asks a judge … As we discuss police reform, we must also reimagine our judicial system. My greatest pride is giving these victims a voice. Nick Roumel Judge of Circuit Court (O) $179,027 Total Donations. Reiser: Often times the law provides specific factors to consider or rules of evidence to follow when deciding a case. But first, make sure your voice is heard on election day! He has an excellent record in jury and bench trials, administrative hearings, arbitrations, and appeals. Judges must not only uphold and apply the law, they are also required to perform all judicial duties fairly and impartially. He has been appointed for various matters by courts, to act as a receiver for a corporation, and to mediate other cases. I will support specialty courts and restorative justice programs as these address an individual’s underlying problems, reduce recidivism, stabilize families, and improve lives. I know from my experience, that coming to court can be an emotionally charged situation for many. Mr. Roumel has also successfully represented criminal defendants for over 20 years, with an excellent record of obtaining favorable verdicts and dismissals. ANN ARBOR, MI – Three legal minds are on the August primary ballot vying to be Washtenaw County’s next new trial court judge, but only two can progress to the November general election. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. (1) I will implement safeguards to ensure that all information relevant to a case is before the court so that litigants, whether represented by counsel, or in self-represented, are treated fairly to prevent erroneous outcomes. This means listening to the parties and making sure they have an opportunity to share their side of the story; including ensuring that self-represented litigants are heard by the Court. Courtrooms look much as they did 100 years ago. Roumel: Courts cannot decide cases in isolation. On the Aug. 4 ballot is Amy Reiser, Nick Roumel and Tracy E. Van den Bergh, who are seeking the seat being vacated by Judge David Swartz. Judge of Circuit Court Judge of Circuit Court 22nd Circuit Non-Incumbent Position Vote for not more than 1 Tracy E. Van den Bergh Nick Roumel Judge of Probate Court Incumbent Position Vote for not more than 1 Julia B. Owdziej Judge of Probate Court Judge of District Court 14A District Incumbent Position Vote for not more than 1 Anna Maria Frushour A principal at NachtLaw who lives in Ann Arbor, Roumel has endorsements from dozens of past and present elected officials, including both factions on Ann Arbor City Council, as well as five active and retired judges.