State constitution is topic of breakfast seriesOct. 23, 2009 KALAMAZOO--The possible overhaul of the state's constitution will be the topic on Oct. 30 when John W. Allen, a partner at Varnum LLP, will be the next featured speaker in the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Series at Western Michigan University. Allen's presentation, "Coming Soon to a Ballot Near You--the Michigan Constitutional Convention: Opportunity in Restructure or Pandora's Box?" is in the Dean's Conference Room in Schneider Hall, home of the WMU Haworth College of Business. The event begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (269) 387-5050. Parking is available in the Fetzer Center parking lot. John W. Allen specializes in business and commercial litigation and is a board-certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. With more than 30 years experience handling legal issues, Allen has written and co-written dozens of articles and books and speaks frequently to business and law groups. He teaches courses in law and trial practices to other lawyers and often serves as an expert witness. Allen received his law degree in 1972 from the University of Michigan Law School and a bachelor's degree in 1969 from the University of Michigan. Allen has bar admissions in all state, federal and circuit courts in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Florida and Minnesota, in addition to the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals. He is listed in "The Best Lawyers in America." Allen's professional activities include chair of the State Bar of Michigan Ethics Committee from 1998-2001, American Bar Association Ethics 2000 Advisory Committee and treasurer of the board for the Federal Bar Association, West Michigan. The Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series is underwritten by Keystone Community Bank. The series provides an opportunity for the local community to hear prominent business leaders, WMU faculty, alumni and friends of the Haworth College of Business discuss current business issues and corporate strategies as well as key information regarding the continuing progress of the business college. Media contact: Valorie Juergens, (269) 387-5964, valorie.juergens@wmich.edu WMU News |
