Firm Attorney Begins Ninth Year of Service as Oakland County Magistrate
2007 marks FHWN attorney Melinda A. Balian’s ninth year of service as an Oakland County Magistrate. Ms. Balian was appointed as a Magistrate in 1999 by the Judges of the 52-3rd District Court in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and thereafter confirmed by the Oakland County Commissioners. In 2000, Ms. Balian’s Magistrate duties were expanded to include the Oakland County Circuit Court for weekend and holiday arraignments. The 52-3rd District Court is one of the busiest District Courts in Oakland County, with Oakland County being one of the busiest court systems in the State of Michigan.
As a District Court Magistrate Ms. Balian is responsible for felony and misdemeanor arraignments, informal traffic hearings, small claims matters, and miscellaneous civil matters such as creditor’s examinations hearings. Ms. Balian also emphasizes community involvement as a magistrate, taking time from her duties to speak to the local community about the legal system as a whole, and specifically, the role of District Court Magistrates in Michigan courts.
In addition to her position as a Magistrate, Ms. Balian maintains an active private practice at FHWN. Ms. Balian focuses her practice on defense oriented employment law and business/commercial litigation. She has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies, as well as a number of small to mid-sized companies, in defending employment related lawsuits, arbitrations and administrative claims. Ms. Balian is a graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Detroit Mercy Law School.
As a District Court Magistrate Ms. Balian is responsible for felony and misdemeanor arraignments, informal traffic hearings, small claims matters, and miscellaneous civil matters such as creditor’s examinations hearings. Ms. Balian also emphasizes community involvement as a magistrate, taking time from her duties to speak to the local community about the legal system as a whole, and specifically, the role of District Court Magistrates in Michigan courts.
In addition to her position as a Magistrate, Ms. Balian maintains an active private practice at FHWN. Ms. Balian focuses her practice on defense oriented employment law and business/commercial litigation. She has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies, as well as a number of small to mid-sized companies, in defending employment related lawsuits, arbitrations and administrative claims. Ms. Balian is a graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Detroit Mercy Law School.