9/16/02

The State Bar of Michigan's Board of Commissioners has revised the organization's committee structure effective October 1, 2002. At its July meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved 25 standing committees and 5 special committees and sub-entities from the more than 50 that existed previously. In related action, the board amended Bylaw Article VI to simplify the bylaw provisions concerning these committees.

The move to consolidate and restructure the committees is in line with the State Bar of Michigan 2001 Strategic Plan that envisions a focused, effective and flexible committee structure to meet member needs. A committee summit was held in February to gather member input about the change.

The President of the State Bar of Michigan Bruce W. Neckers underlined the importance of this effort. "Our committee structure needed a thorough overhaul and the board and several committee chairs worked very hard to reduce the number of committees and to make sure that the remaining groups connect in a real way to our strategic plan. I would like to thank the board and the committee chairs for their very hard work on this project."

Committees exist to help build effective programs for lawyers and the public. The following committees were retained: Access to Justice For All Task Force; American Indian Law; Awards; Bar Leadership Liaison; Character & Fitness; Civil Procedure & Courts; Client Protection Fund; Criminal Jurisprudence & Practice; Ethics, Professional & Judicial; General Membership Meetings; Judicial Qualifications; Jury Instructions, Standard Criminal; Law and the Media; Law School Deans; Lawyers and Judges Assistance; Legal Aid; Legal Education and Professional Standards; Libraries, Legal Research and Legal Publications; Membership Services; Past President's Advisory Council; Pro Bono Involvement of the State Bar of Michigan; Public Outreach; Publications and Website Advisory Committee; Unauthorized Practice of the Law; United States Courts. Special Committees that were retained are: 21st Century Courts; Domestic Violence; E-Filing Task Force; Grievance; and the Open Justice Commission.

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