Michigan's Trial lawyers plan to raise half a million dollars for the State Bar's Access to Justice Fund within the next year. The executive board of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, MTLA approved a recommendation last month to ask its 2,000 plus members to support the Fund which provides civil legal services to low-income people.

"MTLA lawyers are passionate about representing injured and vulnerable people and are in a unique position to understand the challenges that poor people face in the civil justice system," said Norman Tucker, MTLA president. "Our members have a natural affinity for this cause, and we want to demonstrate our commitment to Access to Justice."

To date, MTLA members have contributed almost $180,000 to the ATJ Fund. Tucker's own Southfield firm of Sommers, Schwartz, Silver and Schwartz is one of several that have given generously to Access to Justice. Other firms that have led the way are: Pitt, Dowty, McGehee and Mirer of Royal Oak; Thomas, Garvey, Garvey and Sciotti of Macomb and Weiner and Cox of Southfield. Individual members like George Googasian, David Haron and Paul Rosen have also made large gifts.

State Bar President Bruce Neckers applauded the MTLA commitment. " The MTLA has made a wonderful contribution to the Access to Justice Fund. They join more than 2000 of their fellow Michigan lawyers who have donated more than $2,000,000 to this important effort. It is encouraging that MTLA members have made such a generous commitment to support a fair system that is available to all, especially those who can't afford to hire a lawyer. Special thanks to Mike Pitt and Jesse Reiter who will lead the MTLA appeal," Neckers said.

For more information on the Access to Justice Campaign, please contact Candace Crowley at 1-800-968-1442. For information about the Trial Lawyers Association, please contact Jane Bailey at 517- 321-3073.