On March 23, State Bar of Michigan Past President George A. Googasian, of The Googasian Firm, PC in Bloomfield Hills, joined the growing number of supporters of the Access to Justice (ATJ) Campaign by making a $25,000 gift to the ATJ Fund.

By accepting this contribution, the ATJ Fund passed the $1 million dollar mark in cash, pledges and planned gifts. The short-term goal of the Campaign is to raise $2 million in cash and pledges by the end of calendar year 2000.

Googasian noted that his gift was to be placed in the endowment fund for the legal needs of low-income people throughout the state. "The Bar's first priority is to build the endowment," said State Bar President Alfred M. Butzbaugh. "George's understanding that we must support poor people throughout the state speaks to his continuing leadership in this profession."

In discussing his contribution, Googasian referred to the often-quoted thoughts of the State Bar of Michigan's first president, Roberts P. Hudson: "No organization of lawyers can long survive which does not have as its primary object the protection of the public." "This is how we demonstrate it," Googasian added.