Wayne State University

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Letter from Wayne Law Alumnus Michael Pitt regarding Mark Weiss Day at Comerica Park

Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty and Friends:

The sixth annual Mark Weiss Day at Comerica Park is Friday, June 5, 2009. This year, the talented Detroit Tigers take on the Los Angeles Angels. The picnic starts at 5:30 p.m. and the game begins at 7:05 p.m.

We have 100 tickets which will be sold on a first come/first serve basis. Barry Waldman has made arrangements with Cass Community Social Services for their clients to use donated tickets for this event. If you buy tickets, but can’t use them, Barry will make sure your tickets are used to get community friends to the ballpark to join in the fun.

The actual cost for the food and ticket to the game with the Los Angeles Angels is $39. We are requesting a minimum of $100 for each adult and $39 for each child 16 and under. 

I encourage you to consider making a contribution to the fund. In deciding what you should do, please consider the following:
• The scholarship was established as a joint project of Wayne Law and the Michigan Association for Justice, formerly known as the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association. Mark, who graduated from the school in 1969, devoted his considerable skills to fighting for the rights of the poor and powerless, and protecting the civil rights of all litigants.
 • A goal was set six years ago to raise $250,000 to provide scholarships for students and recent graduates who share the same dream as Mark - a commitment to provide legal aid to the underserved in the community. We have raised more than $265,000 in the last six years. Tens of thousands of dollars of scholarship money has been paid to 13 law students and recent graduates.
• More than 200 lawyers, judges, friends, family members have generously contributed to the memorial fund.
 
Joelle Gornoe, the first Mark Weiss Scholarship recipient (2004) told me recently:
“The Mark Weiss Scholarship gave me the help I needed to continue and successfully complete Law School. It was such a sizeable award that it allowed me to leave Law School with fewer loans. The Mark Weiss Scholarship also allowed me to achieve my career objective to work in public interest law. I am currently in private practice and I do lot of pro bono work for families with children who have disabilities.”

If you cannot attend the game, but wish to make a contribution to the Mark Weiss Memorial Scholarship Fund, send your check directly to Wayne State University Law School: Mark Weiss Scholarship Fund, Wayne State University Law School, attention: Mary Hollens, senior director of Development and Alumni Relations.

If you wish to attend the game, call Pat Giroux at (248) 398-9800 or e-mail her at pgiroux@pittlawpc.com as soon as possible and she will reserve tickets for you and your group. You may also call one of our ticket sellers at:

 
Kenneth Mogill
office: (248) 814-9470
cell:     (586) 295-7749
Marjory Cohen
office: (313) 962-7210
 
Jon Posner
office: (313) 962-7210
cell:     (248) 514-1010
Barry Waldman
office: (313) 965-3464
cell:    (248) 752-5794
Jane Bailey
office: (517) 321-3073
cell:     (517) 282-6006
Michael Pitt
office: (248) 398-9800
cell:     (248) 613-4012
           

We can mail your tickets to you, or you can pick the tickets up at my office or make arrangements with your ticket seller, or you may pick up the ticket at the Mark Weiss Memorial table from 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. on game day outside the Elwood Bar & Grill, which is located at 300 East Adams Avenue, across from the southeast (outfield) entrance to the stadium. You can either send your check to me or your ticket seller in advance with your reservation or submit your check at the time you redeem your tickets.

This will be a wonderful opportunity for the friends of Mark to catch up, reminisce and participate in one of Mark's favorite pastimes, and to continue his legacy through the support of progressive law students.

As always, thanks for your support.
 
Very truly yours,
Michael L. Pitt