The State Bar of Michigan is honoring the effort and dedication of pro bono lawyers who work with legal aid agencies to serve the poor, by listing their names on the Bar's web site.

Jonathan Rowe, chairperson of the Pro Bono Involvement Committee (PBIC) said these attorneys had long offered to help those most in need without charge. About 1.5 million people in Michigan are eligible for legal aid services because they live in poverty.

"The PBIC is proud to recognize those attorneys who worked closely with legal aid agencies last year to help such programs stretch their budgets and deliver services more effectively. Everyone benefits through such collaborative efforts because the private practice attorney is backed by legal aid agencies ensuring that clients served on a pro bono basis have been thoroughly screened," Rowe said.