Career Experience

The Ford Law Group, PLC
Lansing, MI
2005–Present
Attorney at Law

•  Areas of Practice: General/Civil Litigation, Probate, Domestic Relations, Child Custody, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Wills & Trust, Worker's Compensation, Employment Relations, Landlord/Tenant, and Real Estate.

The Abood Law Firm
East Lansing, MI
2003-2005
Attorney at Law

•  Areas of Practice: General/Civil Litigation, Probate, Domestic Relations, Child Custody, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Wills & Trust, Worker's Compensation, Employment Relations, Landlord/Tenant, and Real Estate.

Private Law Practice
Lansing, MI
1989-2003
Attorney at Law

•  Areas of Practice: General/Civil Litigation, Probate, Domestic Relations, Child Custody, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Wills & Trust, Worker's Compensation, Employment Relations, Landlord/Tenant, and Real Estate.

MI Department of Transportation
Lansing, MI
1992-2002
Equal Opportunity Executive

•  Monitored Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.
•  Participated in federal contracts.
•  Monitored the hiring process of over 4000 employees statewide.
•  Supervised 40 employees. Retired.

Lansing City Council
Lansing, MI
1990-1994
Lansing City Council Member

•  Developed and approved legislation for the City of Lansing

MI Department of Transportation
Lansing, MI
1985-1992
Equal Opportunity Director

•  Monitored the hiring process of over 4000 employees statewide.
•  Supervised Sexual Harassment and Disability Programs.
•  Monitored Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.

Sixty Plus Law Center
Lansing, MI
1987-1987
Legal Intern

•  Provided legal service for the elderly, 60 years of age or older, under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

MI Department of Transportation
Lansing, MI
1978-1985
Human Resources Manager

•  Section manager for Classification, Selections, Compensation and Benefits, Recruitment, and assisted in labor relation duties for MDOT.

MI Department of Transportation
Lansing, MI
1977-Summer
Student Assistant

•  Assistant to Personnel Director

MI Department of Transportation
Lansing, MI
1972-1976
Property Technician/Draftsman

•  Responsible for drafting property owned by MDOT.

Education

Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Lansing, MI
1985-1987

•  Juris Doctor Degree.

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
1981-1982

•  Masters Degree - Labor and Industrial Relations.

Northwood University
Midland, MI
1976-1978

•  Bachelors Degree-Business Administration

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI
1972-1974

•  Associates Degree-General

J.W. Sexton High School
Lansing, MI
1969-1972

•  Diploma-College Preparatory

Memberships

Member State Bar of Michigan-P42287

Member Ingham County Bar Association

Former President Black Law Student Association-Cooley Law School

Former Student Senator Cooley Law School

Former Board Member Alumni School of Labor and Industrial Relations-MSU

Former Board Member Boys and Girls Club of Lansing

Honors

1997 Inducted in the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame

1993 Outstanding Alumnus Award- Lansing Community College

1993 Distinguished Alumni Award- Northwood University

1992 Partners in Progress Community Service Award for State & Local Government.

1990 Outstanding Young Men of America

1990 Who's Who in American Government

1990 Distinguished Alumni Award- J.W. Sexton High School

1985-1987 Thomas M. Cooley Law School : Most Distinguished Graduating Senior Award. Most Distinguished Student Service Award. American Jurisprudence Award for Best Collective Bargaining Grade. Dean's List. Distinguished Service Award for 60 Plus Law Center Internship