Commission Members

The Commission consists of nine members, who serve without compensation.  The six lawyers and three non-lawyers are each appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court for a term of three-years.  A member may not serve more than two terms. 

 The Commission’s Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are appointed to one-year terms by the Michigan Supreme Court.  The Commission’s Secretary is elected by its members.


 

Latoya M. Willis

Chairperson

Mrs. Willis is the Lead Attorney of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Mortgage and Deed Fraud Unit where she specializes in the prosecution of criminal activity involving fraudulent real property transactions. She graduated from Western Michigan University in 1997, and earned her law degree from the University of Detroit-Mercy Law in 2002. She has worked with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office since 2000, where she began as an intern in the Forfeiture Unit. Since that time, she has practiced throughout the Office including within the Felony Exam Unit; Felony Trial Unit, and Special Victims Unit where she prosecuted crimes committed against elder and vulnerable adults. She was appointed to the Attorney Grievance Commission in January of 2017.

J. Paul Janes

Vice - Chairperson

J. Paul Janes focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, personal injury litigation, automobile no-fault law, and construction/work place injury claims. EDUCATION: Michigan State University (B.A. 1987); University of Detroit Law School (J.D. 1990; Senior Staff Member of the Law Review. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: • Grand Rapids Bar Association • Fellow, Justice Foundation of West Michigan • Grand Rapids Federal Bar Association • Michigan State Bar of Foundation • American Board of Trial Advocates • Attorney Grievance Commission, Board Member • Former State Bar of Michigan Lawyer and Judges Assistance Committee (Member) • The American Association for Justice • Michigan Association for Justice (Former Board Member) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: • Active in a variety of nonprofit, community, and political organizations.

Kathleen Hickey

Secretary

Ms. Hickey represents lenders in loan originations. Her practice encompasses secured transactions, loan workouts, and counseling lenders on lender liability and loan structure issues. Ms. Hickey’s practice also includes middle market lending, asset based loans, healthcare lending, educational institution and religious organization financing, international lending, captive insurance financing, private lending, real estate financing, multi-rate, multi-currency loans and facilities, agented and syndicated loan facilities, and letters of credit, direct bond purchases, and other liquidity facilities supporting tax exempt and industrial development bonds. Ms. Hickey has been selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a member of the 2017 class of Women in the Law. She is listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2022 under Banking and Finance Law, in Chambers USA 2021 under Banking & Finance, in IFLR1000 2020 under Banking and Finance, in Michigan Super Lawyers 2021 under The Top 50 Women attorneys in Michigan, and in Michigan Super Lawyers 2007-2021 under Banking. She is listed as a 2021 "Top Lawyer" for Banking & Financial Services by DBusiness magazine. She is AV Preeminent® Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Ms. Hickey is a member of Bodman’s Executive Committee, which manages the Firm’s day to day business affairs, and is co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She serves on the board of directors of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion and is a board member for VIP Mentoring and the Walsh College Foundation. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Detroit and American Bar Associations, and the Association for Corporate Growth. She is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Ms. Hickey began her legal career as a clerk for the Honorable Richard M. Maher of the Michigan Court of Appeals. She has lectured for the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education on commercial loan documentation matters.

Kendrah Robinson

Attorney Member

Kendrah Robinson has been a proud resident of Muskegon for over 13 years. She is a mother of three and married to a Proud Muskegon Big Red. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice and earned her Law Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law. Kendrah has taught Criminal Justice and Political Science classes at Grand Rapids Community College, and now serves the community of Muskegon County as a Senior Assistant Public Defender at the Muskegon Public Defenders Office. She fights daily in the 14th Circuit Court to protect the rights of Muskegon’s most at risk children and criminal defendants. She is active in numerous community and non-profit organizations including the Mediation and Restorative Services, Fruitport Public Schools, Child Abuse Council of Muskegon, The Women’s Division of Chamber of Commerce, the Black Women’s Lawyers of Michigan, her church where she’s the Youth Ministry leader and staff to the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan. Kendrah also mentors high school ladies in a group called “Aspiring Ladies of Law” throughout Muskegon County who are interested in going into the career of law. In her spare time Kendrah enjoys running and traveling.

Dr. Samy Wassef

Lay Person

Samy Wassef, MD is currently the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Substance Abuse Programs at Henry Ford Health-Jackson. He previously served on the hospital’s Ethics Committee, Pain Committee and Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Wassef is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is also a provider for the Health Professionals Recovery Program, Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program and Federal Aviation Administration. Dr. Wassef grew up and currently resides in the Metro Detroit area. He graduated from Cairo University Faculty of Medicine and completed his residency in psychiatry at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Michigan

Amani El-Edlebi

Lay Person

Amani El-Edlebi is a proud Arab American from Metro Detroit who graduated from Wayne State University with a dual graduate degree in Social Work (MSW) and Public Health (MPH). In her role at the Center of Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ), she is dedicated to supporting data collection, data evaluation, and the development of program databases. This crucial work provides communities and organizations with optimized evaluation, resources, and best practices to address mental health and substance use disorders within the criminal legal system. Beyond her technical contributions, Amani is deeply involved in policy change community groups. She focuses on advocating for legal and policy reforms in Michigan that adversely affect men’s ability to be actively involved with their children and families. Her advocacy work aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for fathers, reflecting her broader commitment to social justice and family integrity. Amani also works to publish her findings, contributing to the body of knowledge in her field. Her passion for her work aligns with a multidisciplinary commitment to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and protect the public. By integrating her expertise in social work and public health, Amani embodies a holistic approach to addressing complex societal issues, striving to make a meaningful impact in her community.

Kathryn Swedlow

Attorney Member

Ms. Swedlow is an attorney in the Criminal Defense Resource Center of the State Appellate Defender Office and previously worked in the federal court system. She is a past recipient the Criminal Defense Association of Michigan Justice for All Award. Swedlow earned her law degree from the City University of New York Law School at Queens College.

James Moritz

Lay Person

Mr. Moritz is a retired Ford Motor Company and Ford Credit executive with extensive expertise in global insurance leadership. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University.

Alexander Pahany

Attorney Member

Mr. Pahany is an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Huron County where he is the docket attorney for the 73B District Court and handles all manner of felony trials in the 52nd Circuit Court. Mr. Pahany has an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a graduate degree from the University of St. Thomas (Houston), and obtained his law degree from the Ave Maria School of Law. During law school, Mr. Pahany served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Daniel P. Ryan of the Third Circuit Court of Wayne County as well as an intern for the Elder Law and Advocacy Center in Redford, MI. Upon graduation, he went into private practice as a criminal defense attorney in Wayne County. Mr. Pahany also spent thirteen years in education, teaching in a children’s hospital and public schools in Houston, TX, and later a private school in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He currently serves as the president of the Huron County Bar Association. Mr. Pahany was appointed to the Attorney Grievance Commission in October 2023.