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ATJ
Campaign Raises Nearly $700,000 in 2002
3/18/03 The State Bar of Michigan's Access to Justice (ATJ) Campaign continued to maintain its momentum last year, raising nearly $700,000 in cash and pledges. This brings to over three million dollars the amount raised since 1998 to meet the needs of low-income people with civil legal problems in Michigan. Despite challenges like a weak economy and reduced staff levels at the Bar, the 2002 Campaign was the second most successful to date. Corporate gifts accounted for 62 percent of the total raised. The "Minority Outside Counsel Networking Conference" gift of $128,000 was the largest single gift ever made to the Campaign. The two-day conference was held in Detroit last October to highlight diversity issues and was the first organized by three major corporate sponsors - Comerica Incorporated, Ford Motor Company and General Motors. Grand Rapids-based Warner Norcross and Judd and, Detroit-based Miller Canfield were the largest law firm contributors in 2002 and the largest cumulative contributors to date. Reginald M. Turner, president of the State Bar of Michigan said the Bar was "very proud of the lawyers, judges and good corporate citizens who have made this success possible. Tom Gottschalk and Chris Johnson of General Motors, Dennis Ross of Ford Motor Company, and George Madison of Comerica deserve special credit for their innovative leadership. Thanks also to Bob Gilbert of Miller Canfield, who has been the pioneer and guiding light of our large firm campaign. I also want to thank trial lawyers like Bob Garvey, Michael and Peggy Pitt, and Norman Tucker, who have made significant personal contributions and inspired others to do so. This Access to Justice Campaign is on the right track and moving full steam ahead," Turner said. The Michigan State Bar Foundation, which receives the donations from the ATJ Campaign, distributed $422,325 in contributions designated by donors to specific programs last year. In addition, the Foundation also awarded $45,000 in a second round of grants from the ATJ Fund for five projects that improved outreach and civil legal services to the poor in Michigan. For more information about the Access to Justice Campaign, please visit the State Bar web site at www.michbar.org.
 Minority Outside Counsel Networking Conference organizers and supporters celebrate the presentation of a $128,000 gift to Access to Justice. From left to right: David B. Cade, Reginald M. Turner, Nancy J. Diehl, Justice Marilyn J. Kelly, Charlotte H. Johnson, Alison R. Nelson, George W. Madison, Dennis E. Ross and E. Christopher Johnson, Jr.
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