Partner, Neilson Law Group P.C.
C. Thomas Ludden is the head of the Appellate Practice group at Lipson Neilson P.C. He has appeared before the United States Supreme Court, the Michigan Supreme Court, the Sixth and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal and the Michigan Court of Appeals. Mr. Ludden is a 1990 graduate of the University of Michigan (J.D./M.B.A) and a 1986 graduate of Dickinson College (B.A.) where he majored in Latin, Ancient Greek and Economics.
David Scott has a Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University and has taught American government courses at a number of Illinois colleges and universities. In retirement he was the president of the Illinois State Historical Society and attended Federalist Society meetings in St. Louis.
Legal Scholar and Solo Practitioner
Jack received his B.A. in History from the University of Virginia in 1977, graduating with Highest Distinction. After graduating Yale Law School in 1980, he served active duty in the U.S. Army's JAG Corps, rising to the rank of Major, where he represented the United States in more than 250 cases.
He practiced for a decade as an Associate for Bradley Arant in Birmingham, Alabama. He proudly served the State of Alabama in the Office of the Attorney General, both as Deputy and Assistant Attorney General, handling complex civil and criminal litigation cases for the people of Alabama. In 2000, he won the "Best Brief Award" from the National Association of Attorneys General for his brief in a case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, James Alexander v. Martha Sandoval – a case he won. He was Special Assistant to the Inspector General for the Corporation for National and Community Service, Visiting Legal Fellow for the Center for Judicial and Legal Studies for the Heritage Foundation, Of Counsel at Strickland Brockington Lewis, a solo practitioner, and General Counsel for Indigo Energy.
Most recently, he "re-upped" for military service, volunteering his legal services to the Georgia State Defense Force where twice each month he provided legal services for National Guardsmen who were being deployed. He wore his military uniform for the last time in October 2024.
Jack Park passed away on March 16, 2026.
Professor of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh
Chris W. Bonneau is Professor of Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh, where he has been since 2002. His research is primarily in the areas of judicial selection (specifically, judicial elections) and judicial decisionmaking. Professor Bonneau’s work has been supported by the National Science Foundation and he has published numerous articles, including in the American Journal of Political Science and Journal of Politics. He is also the coauthor of three books: Strategic Behavior and Policy Choice on the U.S. Supreme Court (2005), In Defense of Judicial Elections (2009), and the award-winning Voters’ Verdicts: Citizens, Campaigns, and Institutions in State Supreme Court Elections (2015).
Professor Bonneau teaches undergraduate classes in constitutional law, judicial politics, and research methods, as well as graduate classes in judicial politics and research design.
Michigan State Representative, 37th House District
State Representative Vicki Barnett is serving her second term in the Michigan House. She represents the 37th House District, which includes the cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills.
Before coming to the House, Barnett served on the Farmington Hills City Council from 1995 to 2003 and as Mayor of Farmington Hills from 2003 to 2007. As mayor, Barnett worked with state and federal officials to improve police, fire and emergency communications and crafted legislation to encourage economic redevelopment in metropolitan areas.
Barnett is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, receiving her master’s in business administration in 1991. A former investment consultant, Barnett also served as the president of the Michigan Municipal League, chair of the Data Advisory Council for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and as a board member of the National League of Cities.
Barnett and her husband, Mark, live in Farmington Hills. They have two grown children, Samantha and Jordan.
Member, Devaney Jacob Wilson, PLLC
Dennis is a former Board Member of the National Labor Relations Board and Commissioner of the U.S.International Trade Commission. He served as a presidential appointee under four U.S. presidents. His labor and employment practice focuses on traditional labor law, including representation of clients with respect to matters arising under the National Labor Relations Act. He also represents employers in defense of discrimination claims and with respect to collective bargaining agreement negotiation and administration. He counsels employers on all FMLA, ADA, FLSA, ELCRA and other state and federal employment laws, assists in formulating personnel policies, and with respect to litigation before courts, administrative agencies and arbitration tribunals.
Dennis also counsels clients on international trade issues. In 2001, as a Commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission, Dennis participated in perhaps the most significant “Section 201” safeguards case ever brought before the Commission. He has also been involved in anti-dumping and countervailing duty proceedings, as well as with respect to U.S. unfair trade cases. Dennis was actively involved in many of the significant international trade initiatives of the last several decades, including creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), bilateral free trade agreements, U.S.-Japan trade relations, and WTO Accession and economic sanctions reform. Dennis also provides advice to employers with respect to executive branch trade issues and before the U.S. Congress.
Dennis is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maryland. He has served as a visiting professor at several prestigious law schools. Dennis has practiced law for 33 years, 21 of which were in private practice in Washington D.C. and the Detroit area.
Senior Research Associate, National Institute for Labor Relations Research
Stan Greer serves as senior research associate for the National Institute for Labor Relations Research. Mr. Greer holds a bachelor’s degree (1983) from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree (1986) from the University of Pittsburgh.
Member, Kienbaum Opperwall Hardy & Pelton, PLC
Mr. Pelton is a founding member of the firm, and serves as its managing member. He has represented employers in litigation and concerning traditional labor matters for 25 years. He has tried, arbitrated, and mediated cases throughout the country. He has also enjoyed representing clients on election law issues and previously served on the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. Mr. Pelton is currently a member of the Michigan Board of Law Examiners having been appointed by the Governor on nomination by the Michigan Supreme Court.
Mr. Pelton has been identified by Chambers USA as a leader in the employment field in Michigan. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the employment and labor field.
At Syracuse University College of Law, Mr. Pelton served as an Executive Editor of the Law Review. He has conducted many workshops and client seminars on employment and labor law topics, has lectured on wage and hour issues for the prestigious National Employment Law Institute, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Wayne State University Law School. He is a contributing author of Employment Law in Michigan: An Employer's Guide and State of the Law in Michigan: Employment and Labor Law, both published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Mr. Pelton served as a Commissioner of the State Bar of Michigan, appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court, and serves on the Federalist Society's Labor and Employment Practice Group National Executive Committee.
Michigan State Representative, 65th House District
State Rep. Mike Shirkey was first elected to the Michigan House in November 2010. He represents the 65th District, which includes Springport, Tompkins, Rives, Blackman, Henrietta, Leoni, Waterloo, Grass Lake, Norvell, Columbia and Liberty townships in Jackson County. The district also includes Cambridge Township in Lenawee County and the City of Eaton Rapids along with Hamlin and Brookfield townships in Eaton County.
Shirkey earned a bachelor's degree from General Motors Institute (GMI) in 1978, and a master of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1979.
Mike is the founder and owner of Orbitform, a leading engineering company that manufactures forming, fastening, joining and assembly equipment for a wide range of industries and applications. The company provides world-class prototype engineering services for assembly of parts and specialized forming and fastening. Mike also worked for General Motors in various management and engineering roles for 13 years.
Mike served on the Columbia Central School Board in the 1980s and '90s. Shirkey also is the past board chair of Allegiance Health System and is a current board member.
Asstant Research Scientist, Institute for Research on Labor, Emp, and the Economy
Roland Zullo, PhD, is a labor relations professor and privatization expert at the University of Michigan.
Michigan State Representative, 37th House District
State Representative Vicki Barnett is serving her second term in the Michigan House. She represents the 37th House District, which includes the cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills.
Before coming to the House, Barnett served on the Farmington Hills City Council from 1995 to 2003 and as Mayor of Farmington Hills from 2003 to 2007. As mayor, Barnett worked with state and federal officials to improve police, fire and emergency communications and crafted legislation to encourage economic redevelopment in metropolitan areas.
Barnett is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, receiving her master’s in business administration in 1991. A former investment consultant, Barnett also served as the president of the Michigan Municipal League, chair of the Data Advisory Council for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and as a board member of the National League of Cities.
Barnett and her husband, Mark, live in Farmington Hills. They have two grown children, Samantha and Jordan.
Member, Devaney Jacob Wilson, PLLC
Dennis is a former Board Member of the National Labor Relations Board and Commissioner of the U.S.International Trade Commission. He served as a presidential appointee under four U.S. presidents. His labor and employment practice focuses on traditional labor law, including representation of clients with respect to matters arising under the National Labor Relations Act. He also represents employers in defense of discrimination claims and with respect to collective bargaining agreement negotiation and administration. He counsels employers on all FMLA, ADA, FLSA, ELCRA and other state and federal employment laws, assists in formulating personnel policies, and with respect to litigation before courts, administrative agencies and arbitration tribunals.
Dennis also counsels clients on international trade issues. In 2001, as a Commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission, Dennis participated in perhaps the most significant “Section 201” safeguards case ever brought before the Commission. He has also been involved in anti-dumping and countervailing duty proceedings, as well as with respect to U.S. unfair trade cases. Dennis was actively involved in many of the significant international trade initiatives of the last several decades, including creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), bilateral free trade agreements, U.S.-Japan trade relations, and WTO Accession and economic sanctions reform. Dennis also provides advice to employers with respect to executive branch trade issues and before the U.S. Congress.
Dennis is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maryland. He has served as a visiting professor at several prestigious law schools. Dennis has practiced law for 33 years, 21 of which were in private practice in Washington D.C. and the Detroit area.
Senior Research Associate, National Institute for Labor Relations Research
Stan Greer serves as senior research associate for the National Institute for Labor Relations Research. Mr. Greer holds a bachelor’s degree (1983) from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree (1986) from the University of Pittsburgh.
Member, Kienbaum Opperwall Hardy & Pelton, PLC
Mr. Pelton is a founding member of the firm, and serves as its managing member. He has represented employers in litigation and concerning traditional labor matters for 25 years. He has tried, arbitrated, and mediated cases throughout the country. He has also enjoyed representing clients on election law issues and previously served on the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. Mr. Pelton is currently a member of the Michigan Board of Law Examiners having been appointed by the Governor on nomination by the Michigan Supreme Court.
Mr. Pelton has been identified by Chambers USA as a leader in the employment field in Michigan. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the employment and labor field.
At Syracuse University College of Law, Mr. Pelton served as an Executive Editor of the Law Review. He has conducted many workshops and client seminars on employment and labor law topics, has lectured on wage and hour issues for the prestigious National Employment Law Institute, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Wayne State University Law School. He is a contributing author of Employment Law in Michigan: An Employer's Guide and State of the Law in Michigan: Employment and Labor Law, both published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Mr. Pelton served as a Commissioner of the State Bar of Michigan, appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court, and serves on the Federalist Society's Labor and Employment Practice Group National Executive Committee.
Michigan State Representative, 65th House District
State Rep. Mike Shirkey was first elected to the Michigan House in November 2010. He represents the 65th District, which includes Springport, Tompkins, Rives, Blackman, Henrietta, Leoni, Waterloo, Grass Lake, Norvell, Columbia and Liberty townships in Jackson County. The district also includes Cambridge Township in Lenawee County and the City of Eaton Rapids along with Hamlin and Brookfield townships in Eaton County.
Shirkey earned a bachelor's degree from General Motors Institute (GMI) in 1978, and a master of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1979.
Mike is the founder and owner of Orbitform, a leading engineering company that manufactures forming, fastening, joining and assembly equipment for a wide range of industries and applications. The company provides world-class prototype engineering services for assembly of parts and specialized forming and fastening. Mike also worked for General Motors in various management and engineering roles for 13 years.
Mike served on the Columbia Central School Board in the 1980s and '90s. Shirkey also is the past board chair of Allegiance Health System and is a current board member.
Asstant Research Scientist, Institute for Research on Labor, Emp, and the Economy
Roland Zullo, PhD, is a labor relations professor and privatization expert at the University of Michigan.
Investigative Counsel, U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce
Kent Talbert is a Washington, DC-based attorney with over 25 years’ experience in providing advice on education law and policy in Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, and the private sector. His practice includes legal and policy advice to colleges and universities, for-profit schools, accrediting agencies, the pre-K-12 sector, charter school organizations, trade associations, and education-focused companies, as well as service as an expert witness. He currently serves as Investigative Counsel, U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Prior to establishing his firm, Mr. Talbert practiced at Talbert & Eitel, PLLC from 2010-2012. From 2006-2009 he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Education, advising the Secretary of Education on a broad range of legal and policy matters, including the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the drafting and implementation of regulations under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and major education law cases pending before the Supreme Court of the United States and other appellate and trial courts. During his tenure as General Counsel, Mr. Talbert served as the Chief Regulatory Officer for the Department, overseeing all documents for publication in the Federal Register.
He has provided legal and strategic advice on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans With Disabilities Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("Clery Act"), Federal Student Aid program reviews, negotiated rulemaking, and accreditation.
Prior to his service as General Counsel, Mr. Talbert served as the Department's Deputy General Counsel for Departmental and Legislative Service from 2001-2006. Earlier in his career, Mr. Talbert served for over 12 years on House and Senate staff, both as Education Policy Counsel for the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as a professional staff member of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources (now Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) in the U.S. Senate.
Mr. Talbert is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia and South Carolina, the Alliance of Public Charter School Attorneys, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys where he serves on the Committee on Legal Education. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and all federal courts in South Carolina and Washington, DC.
Co-Founder and President, Defense of Freedom Institute
Bob is a co-founder and President of DFI. He previously served as Senior Counselor to the Secretary of Education from 2017 through 2020 and Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Education from 2005 until 2009.
During his most recent tenure at the Department, Bob served on the Secretary’s Leadership Team as a strategic and legal adviser on higher education, civil rights, and congressional oversight matters. As the Department’s Regulatory Reform Officer, he also supervised the implementation of the Secretary’s regulatory agenda and was an architect of the Secretary’s reforms concerning Title IX and the Higher Education Act. As Deputy General Counsel, Bob advised on a wide variety of regulatory, legislative, and oversight matters.
Prior to joining the Department in 2017, Bob was vice president for regulatory compliance matters for several postsecondary institutions and practiced education and employment law in Washington, D.C. Before coming to the Department in 2005, he practiced law in New Orleans, litigating commercial, employment, and bankruptcy cases in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.
Bob earned his A.B. in History from Georgetown University, studied British government and international politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and received his law degree from Tulane University Law School. His articles have been published by National Review, Real Clear Education, Washington Examiner, and other media outlets. Fox News has featured his work.
Bob is a member of the District of Columbia and Louisiana Bars and the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies.
United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
Michigan State Representative, 37th House District
State Representative Vicki Barnett is serving her second term in the Michigan House. She represents the 37th House District, which includes the cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills.
Before coming to the House, Barnett served on the Farmington Hills City Council from 1995 to 2003 and as Mayor of Farmington Hills from 2003 to 2007. As mayor, Barnett worked with state and federal officials to improve police, fire and emergency communications and crafted legislation to encourage economic redevelopment in metropolitan areas.
Barnett is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, receiving her master’s in business administration in 1991. A former investment consultant, Barnett also served as the president of the Michigan Municipal League, chair of the Data Advisory Council for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and as a board member of the National League of Cities.
Barnett and her husband, Mark, live in Farmington Hills. They have two grown children, Samantha and Jordan.
Member, Devaney Jacob Wilson, PLLC
Dennis is a former Board Member of the National Labor Relations Board and Commissioner of the U.S.International Trade Commission. He served as a presidential appointee under four U.S. presidents. His labor and employment practice focuses on traditional labor law, including representation of clients with respect to matters arising under the National Labor Relations Act. He also represents employers in defense of discrimination claims and with respect to collective bargaining agreement negotiation and administration. He counsels employers on all FMLA, ADA, FLSA, ELCRA and other state and federal employment laws, assists in formulating personnel policies, and with respect to litigation before courts, administrative agencies and arbitration tribunals.
Dennis also counsels clients on international trade issues. In 2001, as a Commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission, Dennis participated in perhaps the most significant “Section 201” safeguards case ever brought before the Commission. He has also been involved in anti-dumping and countervailing duty proceedings, as well as with respect to U.S. unfair trade cases. Dennis was actively involved in many of the significant international trade initiatives of the last several decades, including creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), bilateral free trade agreements, U.S.-Japan trade relations, and WTO Accession and economic sanctions reform. Dennis also provides advice to employers with respect to executive branch trade issues and before the U.S. Congress.
Dennis is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maryland. He has served as a visiting professor at several prestigious law schools. Dennis has practiced law for 33 years, 21 of which were in private practice in Washington D.C. and the Detroit area.
Senior Research Associate, National Institute for Labor Relations Research
Stan Greer serves as senior research associate for the National Institute for Labor Relations Research. Mr. Greer holds a bachelor’s degree (1983) from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree (1986) from the University of Pittsburgh.
Member, Kienbaum Opperwall Hardy & Pelton, PLC
Mr. Pelton is a founding member of the firm, and serves as its managing member. He has represented employers in litigation and concerning traditional labor matters for 25 years. He has tried, arbitrated, and mediated cases throughout the country. He has also enjoyed representing clients on election law issues and previously served on the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. Mr. Pelton is currently a member of the Michigan Board of Law Examiners having been appointed by the Governor on nomination by the Michigan Supreme Court.
Mr. Pelton has been identified by Chambers USA as a leader in the employment field in Michigan. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the employment and labor field.
At Syracuse University College of Law, Mr. Pelton served as an Executive Editor of the Law Review. He has conducted many workshops and client seminars on employment and labor law topics, has lectured on wage and hour issues for the prestigious National Employment Law Institute, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Wayne State University Law School. He is a contributing author of Employment Law in Michigan: An Employer's Guide and State of the Law in Michigan: Employment and Labor Law, both published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Mr. Pelton served as a Commissioner of the State Bar of Michigan, appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court, and serves on the Federalist Society's Labor and Employment Practice Group National Executive Committee.
Michigan State Representative, 65th House District
State Rep. Mike Shirkey was first elected to the Michigan House in November 2010. He represents the 65th District, which includes Springport, Tompkins, Rives, Blackman, Henrietta, Leoni, Waterloo, Grass Lake, Norvell, Columbia and Liberty townships in Jackson County. The district also includes Cambridge Township in Lenawee County and the City of Eaton Rapids along with Hamlin and Brookfield townships in Eaton County.
Shirkey earned a bachelor's degree from General Motors Institute (GMI) in 1978, and a master of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1979.
Mike is the founder and owner of Orbitform, a leading engineering company that manufactures forming, fastening, joining and assembly equipment for a wide range of industries and applications. The company provides world-class prototype engineering services for assembly of parts and specialized forming and fastening. Mike also worked for General Motors in various management and engineering roles for 13 years.
Mike served on the Columbia Central School Board in the 1980s and '90s. Shirkey also is the past board chair of Allegiance Health System and is a current board member.
Asstant Research Scientist, Institute for Research on Labor, Emp, and the Economy
Roland Zullo, PhD, is a labor relations professor and privatization expert at the University of Michigan.
Textualism and the Michigan Supreme Court
C. Thomas Ludden
In this white paper, the author analyzes selected Michigan Supreme Court cases interpreting the Michigan...
Emergency Manager Law
A Luncheon with Judge David McKeague
The Ohio Constitution of 1803, Jefferson's Danbury Letter, and Religion in Education
David W. Scott
That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to...
Georgia Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban on Assisted Suicide Advertisements
John J. Park
In Final Exit Network, Inc. v. Georgia,1 the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously2 concluded that Georgia’s...
A Survey of Empirical Evidence Concerning Judicial Elections
Chris W. Bonneau
The election of state judges is a controversial topic. Consider, for example, this quote from...
Right to Work: Right or Wrong for Michigan?
Vicki Barnett, Dennis Devaney, Stanley Greer, Eric J. Pelton, Mike Shirkey, Roland Zullo
The Michigan Lawyers Chapter hosted this panel on March 1, 2012, at Wayne State University Law School...
Right to Work: Right or Wrong for Michigan?
Vicki Barnett, Dennis Devaney, Stanley Greer, Eric J. Pelton, Mike Shirkey, Roland Zullo
The Michigan Lawyers Chapter hosted this panel on March 1, 2012, at Wayne State University Law School...
Right to Work: Right or Wrong for Michigan?
Michigan Lawyers Chapter
Detroit, MIThe Road to a National Curriculum: The Legal Aspects of the Common Core Standards, Race to the Top, and Conditional Waivers
Kent D. Talbert, Robert S. Eitel
Note from the Editor: This paper examines the U.S. Department of Education’s administration of the...