The Oakland County Circuit Court has appointed an Ombudsman to serve as a liaison between the judiciary and local attorneys for a six month trial period. Joel H. Serlin, an attorney with "a stellar reputation as a lawyer, mediator and arbitrator" will serve as the Ombuds. He will seek to address and facilitate issues and concerns raised by attorneys regarding active matters before the court.

The proposal for an Ombuds program originated about a year ago and found wide support from judges and the Oakland County Bar Association. According to the Bar Association, the purpose of the Ombuds program is to provide a discreet forum for the informal resolution of issues and matters in which there is no other established or preferred procedure to secure redress. The program will be confidential, neutral, informal and independent. (OCBA President's Message; Oakland Press Law Blog.)

Related Ombuds Blog posts: Texas State Bar Considers Ombuds Office; Job Posting: Maryland Courts; Court Ombuds Permitted to Serve as Paid Facilitator; New Ombuds Program Serves Jacksonville Bench and Bar; Is the Ninth Circuit Creating an Ombuds Program?; Law Society Equity Ombuds Assist Canadian Legal Professional.