Grant money totaling $51,589 from the State Bar of Michigan's Access to Justice Fund has been awarded to various legal aid organizations statewide to help them cope with compelling unmet needs.

Trustees of the Michigan State Bar Foundation who manage the Access to Justice Development Campaign to support civil legal aid for low income citizens, made the first round of grants at a meeting September 12.

The grant money includes some of the first interest earnings from an endowment fund that was established for long-term significant return. Many other partners, such as legal aid organizations, nonprofit agencies, judges, local bar associations, corporations and donors interested in equal justice for all have joined the Bar and the Bar Foundation in this effort.

Recipients of the grant awards are: the Legal Aid and Defender Association in Detroit for the translation of legal education materials into Spanish and Arabic; the Immigration Assistance Project, Kalamazoo, for expanding the number of pro bono attorneys for poor immigrants living in southwest Michigan; Legal Services of Northern Michigan for the design of a computer system to improve communication between clients and pro bono lawyers; and Legal Aid of Central Michigan in Lansing for assistance to set up the Access to Justice Center in the new Ingham County Courthouse.

Michigan State Bar Foundation President, Margaret J. Nichols, an Ann Arbor attorney said "the $51,589 awarded will fund projects to improve outreach and civil legal services to poor Michigan residents who face such problems as loss of housing, domestic violence, access to health care, and consumer scams. Every donation to the Access to Justice Fund helps with these important needs."

Immediate Past President of the State Bar of Michigan, Thomas J. Ryan, emphasized the Bar's commitment to equal access to the justice system for all people, including those who cannot afford an attorney. " The State Bar of Michigan established the Access to Justice Campaign in recognition of the great need for civil legal assistance for the poor. Studies show that current funding levels can meet no more than 20 percent of the civil legal aid for the poor. Through their donations of money and pro bono assistance, Michigan lawyers demonstrate the legal profession's deep concern for justice and fairness for everyone in Michigan. For years to come, the Campaign will provide additional funds to those organizations that help people when there is nowhere else to turn."

The Michigan State Bar Foundation was established in 1947 in recognition of the legal profession's responsibilities to the public and has awarded $42 million in grants in its history. For more information, visit the Foundation's web site at www.msbf.org. To donate to the Access to Justice Fund or for more information about the Access to Justice Campaign, visit the State Bar's web site at www.michbar.org.