The Credit Union Perspective By: John Normandeau, President/CEO BestSource Credit Union It's Time to Get Financially Fit! "He is as creative as he is tenacious, both in the courtroom and at the bargaining table." — Detroit Medical Center CEO Mike Duggan years he handled complex commercial and class-action litigation. "After eight years in Lansing and Rochester, I was glad to come home to our neighbor- hood," he said. While in Rochester, Gov. Granhom called on him again to mediate a complex dispute, this time between the Detroit Medical Center and the Wayne State University Medical School. "It involved the financing and con- trol of their joint physicians' residen- cy program, and a wrong outcome could have been financially devas- tating to the city of Detroit:' Fink intoned. "But we settled the whole thing in two-and-a-half weeks." His efforts drew praise from Granholm and Mike Duggan, CEO of the Detroit Medical Center. "David's intelligence, persistence and determi- nation allowed the parties to reach a resolution many thought was impos- sible," said Duggan. "He is as creative as he is tenacious, both in the court- room and at the bargaining table." When Granholm left office in January, she received a spate of nega- tive "performance reviews" on her two terms from news media outlets and columnists. In her defense, Fink points out that she governed in "very difficult times; but she balanced the budget each year for eight years, and helped diversity Michigan's economy by bringing in some employment from overseas firms and new busi- ness from organizations like the U.S. film industry." He added, "History will be kinder to her than some of her constituents!' Granholm even left Fink with a leg- acy, appointing him to the Michigan State Officers Compensation Commission for a term expiring in 2014. The commission sets the sala- ries for all state officers, including state Supreme Court justices. At his new firm, Fink is assisted by Jewish attorney Darryl Bressack of Huntington Woods, a University of Michigan Law School graduate with five years of experience; Fink's, wife, Amy, who serves as his office man- ager; and some contract employees. The firm is already involved in some complex class-action cases, and he beams when he talks about them, leading a visitor to believe that the more complex the case, the bet- ter. He's the lead attorney in a class- action suit on behalf of thousands of owners of General Motors vehicles with On Star driver assistance sys- tems. They contend the change from analog to digital numbers, without instructions to drivers, rendered the system useless. "And GM wants $15 per vehicle to do the fix," says Fink. He's also the lead attorney in an anti-trust case against the Whirlpool Corp., which claims the company conspired to fix the price of compres- sors on refrigerators and freezers. "David just understands the practi- calities of every case he's involved in," said Eugene Driker of Detroit, who has known Fink for 20 years. "He's energetic, creative, well prepared and always displays good common sense." As a member of the Wayne State Board of Governors, Driker was closely involved with Fink in the DMC-Wayne State discussions. "We've both participated in cases where the other has been a mediator, and we've been on the opposite sides in the courtroom. He's a real professional!' High-Tech Facing off now against larger law firms doesn't seem to faze Fink."With the many technological resources we have today, there's no reason why small law firms can't take on larger firms',' he said. "I'm confident we have the abil- ity to litigate in the courtroom against anyone. And we can respond more quickly to clients' needs because we don't have the bureaucracy of larger firms. We don't even have cabinets with file drawers here; everything is electronic. "I now have more technology in my pocket than large firms used to have in their entire office." Fink mainly uses a laptop; a Smart Phone, with which he can check court filings, do law research, and take pho- tos of sites involved in lawsuits; and an Ipad, with which he can pull up all of his files and, while in court, access the transcripts of depositions by wit- nesses. "These innovations allow us to focus directly on the needs of the cli- ent," he said. Pi John Normandeau, CEO Just like you go to the doctor for a yearly check-up, it's important to get a financial check-up too. At BestSource we are committed to improving your financial life. That means that we can help you evaluate your portfolio of financial products and help you determine next steps to achieve financial well-being. Review your checking account statement - Banks are restructuring their checking accounts and adding fees. Take a look at your statement next month and see if you have any new fees. If so, it might be time for a change. Time to start a budget - The dreaded "B" word that no one likes; however, establishing a budget is a great way for you to find out really where your money is going, not where you think it's going. What does your deposit portfolio look like? - Do you have an established emergency fund? Do you have enough money to retire? How are you saving for your child's college education? This is a great time for a free consultation with our financial advisor. He can review your deposit products, look at your financial goals and help put together a financial plan that makes sense for you. What rate are you paying on your loans elsewhere? - Depending on what your rates are, you might have an option to refinance an auto loan or consolidate credit card debt and save big dollars. At BestSource Credit Union our mission is to improve our members' financial lives. If you would like someone to down and review any of these areas with you stop by a branch or give us a call at 800.666.4500 to see how we can help you achieve your goals. For more information, visit www.bestsourcecu.org . IBEST SOURCE Improving Members' Financial Lives CREDIT g UN ION Office Suites For Lease Downtown Royal Oak 411P11111"::- L 14.0•00141 „ orilinowAs , . 40_11,4 _ 111 iirklavk it411.1!!!., ..r0211111.111111111#0/1 *,,, Full service office space available for attorneys and other professionals. Offices are 10' 6" x 12' up to 15 110" x 11'9" with additional space in common area offices for clerical staff. Many amenities available. For more info and amenity details, visit: www.tinyurl.com/spaceforlease Call: 248,3999700 Email: 415SWestStLLC@gmail.com If you are not wearing it... sell it!... or BORROW on it! You can't enjoy jewelry if it's sitting in your safe deposit box. Sell or borrow on it for immediate cash. We deal in jewelry, watches, diamonds and coins. A Service to Private Owners, Banks & Estates Contact Larry Allan 33700 Woodward Ave. • Between 14 Mite S. Lincoln * 248-46444-8565 April 14 a 2011 57