SBM Blog

SBM Seeks Applications for Pro Bono Honor Roll

The State Bar of Michigan invites individual attorneys, law firms and corporations to apply for the 2019 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll (Honor Roll) by March 20.

SBM is launching the Honor Roll this year to offer individual attorneys and solo practitioners recognition for their qualifying pro bono service for the first time, in addition to recognition provided to law firms and corporations. The Honor Roll will recognize Michigan attorneys who have provided 30 or more hours of pro bono legal services in the previous calendar year. Individual attorneys, law firms and corporations will be recognized at one of three recognition levels for providing 30, 50 or 100+ hours of pro bono services in the 2018 calendar year. The State Bar will publicize the Honor Roll through postings on the web, in the Michigan Bar Journal and via other printed and electronic methods.

Individual attorneys and designated staff members, on behalf of their affiliated law firms and corporations, are encouraged to complete and submit an Honor Roll online application. The application is available on the State Bar of Michigan A Lawyer Helps website. The 2019 Honor Roll will be published in late April.

Attorneys who do not want to be publicly recognized for their pro bono services are still encouraged to report their pro bono service hours to the State Bar by submitting an application. The pro bono service information submitted will not be shared or publicized unless attorneys authorize the State Bar to include their names on the published version of the Honor Roll.

The provision of pro bono legal services to low-income people plays an essential role in providing access to justice for those in need. In 2014 alone, Michigan attorneys provided more than 32,000 hours of free legal help for low-income clients, making a significant impact toward increased access to justice.

For more information about the A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll, the application process and how you can find pro bono volunteer opportunities, contact SBM Pro Bono Service & Justice Initiatives Counsel Robert Mathis at [email protected].

SBM ADR Section to Host How to Prepare for Mediation Teleseminar

The State Bar of Michigan Alternative Dispute Resolution Section will host a teleseminar about how best to prepare to mediate and arbitrate from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2.

The teleseminar will feature a panel discussion focused on advice and anecdotes from senior, experienced practitioners on best practices, techniques, common mistakes to avoid and how best to prepare that will be moderated by Michael S. Leib, a mediator with Leib ADR in West Bloomfield. Panelists include Earlene Baggett-Hayes, founder and owner of the Law and Mediation Center in Pontiac, and Zena Zumeta, president of the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor. The panel discussion will be aimed at mediators, but will be beneficial to advocates as well.

The teleseminar costs $10 for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Family Law, Young Lawyers and Probate & Estate Planning Section members and law students, and $40 for other registrants. To register online or download a copy of the mail-in registration form, visit http://connect.michbar.org/adr. Dial-in instructions will be provided on participants’ registration confirmations. For additional information about the seminar, contact Michael Leib at (248) 563-2500 or [email protected].

On Balance Podcast: Michigan’s Rule Changes for Limited Scope Representation

The latest episode of the State Bar of Michigan’s On Balance podcast features Judge Michelle Rick and attorney Kim Jones, who discuss the problems faced by people with unmet civil legal needs due to an inability to secure legal representation. Guest host Darin Day talks with them about rule changes for limited scope representation in Michigan that aim to decrease the justice gap. They describe the new rules and provide examples of how Michigan attorneys can provide these types of limited legal services to clients. They also encourage lawyers to check out the Limited Scope Tool Kit.  

On Balance, on the Legal Talk Network, delivers useful and entertaining ideas on managing life as a lawyer. To subscribe to On Balance in iTunes, follow two easy steps: 1. Using your mobile device, click on this link, or enter this link in your browser: http://ow.ly/HOOZ30hZOy1. 2. Click the purple "Subscribe" button that shows up right under the name of the podcast. To access On Balance in Google Play, follow these three steps: 1. Using your mobile device, click this link, or enter this link in your browser: http://ow.ly/GDas30hYSEy. 2. Click the subscribe button (located just beneath the On Balance logo). 3. Click the subscribe button that appears in the pop-up.