A State Bar member in southwest Michigan has donated $100,000 to the Access to Justice Endowment Fund. The gift, which was made through his dues statement, is the largest so far from an individual.

The donor, a semi-retired University of Michigan law graduate, who's motivated by a strong desire to reduce injustice, wishes to remain anonymous. He asked that his gift be used so that Kalamazoo residents will have better access to health-related legal services.

"Lawyers have a responsibility to effectively assert the rights of their clients while respecting the need of everyone to feel worthwhile. A win-win approach benefits everyone, especially those who find themselves on the low end of the totem pole. I hope that the gift will not only provide additional resources to fund access to the civil justice system, but also increase the sensitivity of the system to the special circumstances of those with limited resources" he said.

State Bar President Bruce Neckers expressed his excitement about the gift that was prompted, in part, by a post card appeal to lawyers in some areas of the state. They were urged to use the dues statement to support the ATJ Fund.

"This lawyer wants us to respect his privacy, but he has told us that he wants to motivate others to follow his lead," Neckers said. "I can't think of a stronger way to challenge lawyers to support this program, and I really hope lawyers will listen to his request."

The Access to Justice Fund helps provide civil legal services to low income people. For more information about the Fund please visit the State Bar's web site at www.michbar.org or call the Development staff at 1-800-968-1442.