Alane & Chartier, PLC

The Detroit Free Press has published an article after interviewing Mary Chartier about the Michigan Supreme Court’s agreement to hear People v McQueen.  See the article and read Mary’s comments here:  http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012203290580

The Michigan Supreme Court granted leave today in People v McQueen, the case that essentially shut down all Michigan medical marijuana dispensaries last summer. Alane & Chartier, along with co-counsel Matthew Newburg, represent Mr. McQueen and Mr. Taylor. The case asks the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn the Court of Appeals ruling, which would right a huge injustice and allow Michigan dispensaries to reopen and resume making medical marijuana available to qualified patients. Briefing will occur over the summer, and the case will likely be argued sometime this fall.

Less than five percent of applications to the Michigan Supreme Court are granted. Mary Chartier and Matt Newburg’s outstanding brief is to credit for this tremendous feat!

The Detroit News broke the news in this article:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120328/POLITICS02/203280400/Michigan-Supreme-Court-will-make-decision-dispute-over-marijuana-shops?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Mary Chartier enjoyed attending and presenting at the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan’s Advanced Criminal Defense Practice Conference last week.  Mary gave a presentation on hearsay and its interplay with the Confrontation Clause, and she also sat on the medical marijuana panel and discussed the ever-changing area of medical marijuana litigation.

Mary Chartier won a hard-fought jury acquittal on three out of three felonly charges against her client in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.  Charged with money laundering and two conspiracy drug charges, her client was facing dozens of years in prison.  Thanks to Ms. Chartier’s outstanding litigation skills and passionate advocacy, the jury rejected the prosecution’s claims and acquitted.  Congratulations, Mary!

The Michigan Court of Appeals has granted Natalie Alane’s application for leave to appeal a spousal support matter out of Ingham Circuit Court.  In the case, the ex-wife was awarded spousal support that was only to continue if she did not cohabit with an unrelated male.  After cohabiting with an unrelated male and admitting to same, the trial court permitted her spousal support to continue.  Because of the procedural posture, Ms. Alane’s client had to petition the Court of Appeals to hear the case.  That request has been granted.  Stay tuned for the final result!

Both Mary Chartier and Natalie Alane were selected to speak at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s highly regarded Family Law Institute in Plymouth, Michigan.  Combining their respective expertise in criminal and family law, the partners presented a high-spirited session on the intersection of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act and custody and parenting time issues.  Over 300 attorneys attended, and both presenters received rave reviews!

After a peer nomination and committee selection process, Natalie Alane was chosen by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of Michigan’s top Women in the Law!  Ms. Alane was honored at an awards ceremony in Troy, Michigan, attended by colleagues, friends, and family.  She was featured in the September issue of Michigan Lawyers Weekly for this tremendous honor.

Alane & Chartier, P.L.C. has completed our relocation to 403 Seymour Avenue, just a few blocks from our prior building.  We are on the corner of Seymour and Shiawassee, just west of Capitol Avenue and still close to LCC.  We have a lovely Victorian building built in 1898, with great amenities such as free parking! 

We look forward to seeing you in our new location soon!  Our phone, fax, and emails all remain the same.