Taking The Bench

Talented litigator accepts Oakland County
Circuit Court judgeship.

Peter Alter, president-elect of the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit, called. Judge Goldsmith "a
fantastic addition to the Oakland
ttorney Mark A.
County bench. He is extremely
Goldsmith was sworn in
patient, extremely bright, extremely
March 19 as a judge of
personable and extremely courteous
Oakland County Circuit
— a real mentsh.
Court, filling the vacancy created
"One of Mark's goals is excellence
Feb. 9 by the death of Judge Patrick
in government, and his appointment
Brennan.
certainly advances that goal," Alter
Before his appointment to the
said.
bench by Gov. Jennifer Granholm,
Judge Gdldsmith said his religious
Judge Goldsmith, 51, was a partner
affiliation has strongly influenced his
in the Detroit-based law firm
life.
Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and
"Judaism is more than a set of rit-
Cohn LLP, specializing in commer-
uals," he said. "It's a way of life that
cial litigation.
has informed the way I practice law,
Judge Goldsmith, a Detroit native
how I view myself as a citi-
who was a member of the
zen of the United States, a
first graduating class at Hillel
citizen of the world."
Day School of Metropolitan
Attorney Gary Torgow,
Detroit, continued his edu-
president of Southfield-
cation at Cass Technical
based Yeshiva Beth
High School and. the
Yehudah, called Judge
University of Michigan,
Goldsmith "a man steeped
where he graduated with
in values, compassion and
honors in economics. He
graduated cum laude from
Judge Goldsmith fairness."
Former Wayne County
Harvard University Law
Circuit Chief Judge Richard
School in 1977.
Kaufman was recently involved as an
A former president of
attorney with Mark Goldsmith in a
Congregation Beth Shalom and the
complicated business matter involv-
regional advisory board member for
ing mediation.
the Anti-Defamation League, Judge
"His innovative ideas were the rea-
Goldsmith chairs the Federal Bar
son why people who were complete-
Association's pro bono committee.
ly antagonistic toward one another
Judge Goldsmith lives in
were able to reach a settlement,"
Huntington Woods with his wife,
Kaufman said. "He brings a calm
Judy, and daughter, Molly, a fifth-
influence to otherwise frenetic cir-
grader at Hillel. His son, Jared, 25,
cumstances.
recently earned a master's degree in
"In all my contacts with Mark,
business administration and works in
both as a judge and as a fellow-
a Baltimore bank.
"This appointment will give me an lawyer, I have found him to be
bright, fair and compassionate,"
opportunity to devote my full ener-
Kaufman added. "You combine that
gies to public service," Judge
with his excellent work ethic, I
Goldsmith said. "Oakland County
believe he will make an excellent
Circuit Court is a very busy court
judge."
and gets a number of high-profile
Judge Goldsmith, who has never
cases. I'm very honored bythe gov-
),
run for a judicial post, must run in
ernor's appointment.
Michigan's Aug. 3 primary election
"Mark has been very active with
and, if elected in the Nov. 2 general
the Federal Bar Association, and he's
election, will serve out the final two
done an incredible job," said Judge
years of Judge Brennan's term. He
Bernard Friedman of the U.S.
then could run for a full four-year
District Court in Detroit. "Every -
term in 2006. ❑
time there's been a good program,
he's been involved in it."
Fellow Honigman Miller partner

DIANA LIEBERMAN
Staff Writer

*Annual Percentage Rate is effective as of March 22, 2004.
The interest rate of L65% is compounded quarterly. Penalty
for early withdrawal. Business or brokered accounts not eligible.
Rates subject to change without notice.

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