Tova Perlmutter, Executive Director, has over 20 years experience in administration, communications, fundraising and public education for nonprofit organizations. She obtained professional certification as a Senior Human Resources Professional while working to promote fair employment practices at a major corporation. She has been responsible for designing and monitoring many projects aimed at empowering people and attracting press coverage to social justice efforts. Tova also has conducted doctoral research on ethnic and racial politics in American cities.

Tova’s work for Sugar Law includes building collaborations and partnerships with allies in the struggle for justice, maximizing Sugar Law’s public visibility in order to maximize its impact, managing daily operations, and raising funds to ensure the Center’s ability to continue the fight. email Tova

John Philo, Sugar Law’s Legal Director, is responsible for litigation, legal research, delivery of training, and supervision of all staff and interns working on legal tasks. John is an attorney with over 18 years of experience representing and advocating for workers and other disenfranchised people. John has represented employment, personal injury and product liability plaintiffs as well as refugees seeking asylum; supervised Detroit City Council’s legal research team; drafted municipal ordinances including Detroit’s six ordinances on living wage and privatization; and published multiple articles on individual and group rights under the US legal system.

John has also completed a master’s of law thesis on “Health and Safety Rights and Transnational Liability.” This research and writing specifically addresses the use of international human rights instruments in holding corporations accountable for harm to employees and other citizens. email John

Tony Paris, Lead Attorney, is a 2007 graduate of Wayne State University Law School. Tony started at Sugar Law Center as an intern, and was hired upon graduating. He has worked on Michigan ACORN’s living-wage campaign, as a law clerk at Legal Aid and Defender of Detroit in the consumer law field, and with Community Legal Resources in Detroit.

Tony attended East Dearborn’s Fordson High School and majored in Math and Political Science at Adrian College. At Wayne State, Tony was president of the Wayne Labor and Employment Law Association, Secretary of the Public Interest Law Association, and a member of the National Lawyers Guild. email Tony

Patrina Griffin, Office Manager, has been with Sugar Law from the start. Trina’s responsibilities encompass all of our legal and administrative work. She has an Associate degree in Legal Assistance from the Detroit College of Business (aka Davenport University), where she is a continuing member of the alumni association. email Trina

James Hunter, Stronger Michigan Communities Project Coordinator, has been a labor activist for over 35 years.  He is the former Political Director for the Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO.  He was an Employment Specialist for the Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO C.O.T.E. (Collaborative on Offender Training and Employment), has held numerous Michigan AFSCME Local Union and Council 25 elective positions, and is a retiree from the City of Detroit Department of Elections.  James attended Wayne State University, majoring in History and English.  He has worked with various labor and political groups to promote civic and political awareness, and has lobbied many elected officials on behalf of community and labor issues. email James

Stephanie R. Vaught, Legal Analyst, is a 2007 graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  While at Cooley, Stephanie was on the Dean’s List and earned a Leadership Achievement Award for her significant involvement with the community and mentoring Cooley students. Stephanie has worked as a legislative intern for the Lansing chapter of the ACLU;  a law clerk for a personal injury law firm;  and a legal extern for the City of Lansing Office of City Attorney.

Upon graduating from Cooley Law School, Stephanie worked in discovery for a major corporation. She also started a blog and a business where she works as a freelance legal writer assisting attorneys with their legal research and writing matters. email Stephanie

========================

We remain grateful for the dedication and skills of our former colleagues, without whose efforts the Center would not be where it is today.

Susanne Meredith, Staff Attorney, has moved on to a position with the AFL-CIO as a Research Analyst.

Julie Hurwitz, after two stints as the Executive Director of Sugar Law, is back in private practice. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors

Mark Fancher, Senior Staff Attorney, moved on in late 2005 to a position at the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan

Thomas W. Stephens, Of Counsel Staff Attorney, moved to full-time private practice in fall 2005.

Cheryl Graunstadt, Development Director, left the Center in spring 2006 and continues her service as an elected member of the Westland City Council.

Gary Gant, Paralegal, is currently working on police misconduct and other civil rights cases with Julie Hurwitz, former SLC Executive Director, as well as working as a freelance paralegal.

Sheila Harris, Administrative Assistant, is providing expert office management assistance and enjoying the flexibility of working for a variety of companies

Shanell Lyons, File Clerk, completed her college certificate and is working in retail while looking for a professional office position.

Tonya Myers, Attorney Fellow, is now the President and Founder of Vision Legal Services PLLC, a law firm specializing in small business, nonprofit organizations, and estate planning.

Nancy O’Neale, Development Director, moved on from the Law Center in 2004 to fulfill other dreams.