I see so many attorneys post their death settlements giddy with glee as I picture them with gold coins flowing through their fingers. I think it’s disgusting to clink wine glasses over the loss of life. Of course we want people to know we are great attorneys who handle big cases against big cities – so now you do.
We at Atnip Law, PLLC are great attorneys and handle big cases against big cities. Tada! But there’s something more important.
Janice Bauer. How many times do you hear about the person? Janice (67) was a phenomenal human being, she worked for SMART. Her church community loved her. She absolutely loved the City of Detroit, she loved her surviving brother and sisters, she was a huge Tigers fan. On the day she passed, she went to her favorite store in the Guardian building and when I interviewed the owner and security, they all said she was a light to others – a joy. He gave her an apple to go with her coffee. She loved her nieces and nephews. She carried a City of Detroit coin purse with her with the skyline wherever she went.
As expected, the City of Detroit put a great attorney on the other side, he fought fierce and fair – but also took a risk that maybe – just maybe – this case was more than just a big city death case. Maybe it was about Janice.
There’s a lot more to say which I’ll save for future reflection but for now we’re going to continue to emphasize the humanity in the victims and survivors we are honored to represent and give a voice to the void left behind.
With all of that – Atnip Law is awarding an annual scholarship in Janice Bauer’s name to be presented to two high school students starting in 2026 – details to follow. Although Janice never had children of her own, her legacy is going to provide a little lift to children into the future. I only wish that I had been able to meet Janice in life – I hear she was magical.
