A coalition of presidents of the State Bar of Michigan have come together to urge Michigan attorneys to donate to the Access to Justice Campaign, which aims to ensure that all Michiganders have access to fair legal representation.  

Approximately 1.7 million low-income Michigan residents are eligible for legal aid, and the Access to Justice Campaign provides critical assistance to support civil legal aid services to families facing issues such as threats of eviction, foreclosure, loss of income, and domestic violence. Donations play a pivotal role in providing free legal services, representation, self-help centers, legal clinics, pro bono services, and educational legal aid. 

According to its 2024 Grantee Annual Reports, the Access for Justice Campaign provided advice and representation on 48,064 total cases, helping 103,150 individuals. The report also boasts that positive outcomes were achieved in 97.02% of the cases involving representation, with Michigan attorneys giving approximately $1.23 million to the ATJ Campaign.  

A total of 30 presidents of the State Bar of Michigan, including current President Lisa J. Hamameh, highlighted the importance of the Access to Justice Campaign and called on all Michigan attorneys to support it in a joint letter issued on Tuesday, December 2.  

“Legal aid organizations across our state provide essential services to those facing eviction, domestic violence, loss of income, and other critical legal challenges — often without the means to afford representation. By supporting civil legal aid, you help ensure that justice is not a privilege, but a right — available to every person, regardless of income or circumstance,” the letter reads.  

Contributions can be made at https://atjfund.org/how-to-give. For additional information about the campaign, visit www.atjfund.org. All donations will be allocated to support civil legal aid for low-income individuals. 

‘AI Obstacles and Opportunities’ discussed online

The Solo & Small Firm Section of the State Bar of Michigan will present a “Lunch & Learn Seminar—AI Obstacles and Opportunities” online Friday, December 19, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the practice of law—streamlining workflows, transforming client expectations, and introducing new ethical and regulatory challenges. 

During this online program, guest speaker, Patrick Barry, University of Michigan Law School professor and author, will discuss both the risks and rewards of integrating AI into a legal practice.  

To register for the online Lunch & Learn, visit https://connect.michbar.org/solo/home.

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