The State Bar of Michigan has hired Lesa S. Smith as its Access to Justice (ATJ) Fund development coordinator. Smith will be responsible for generating continued charitable ATJ support from Michigan's lawyers, law firms, foundations and corporations.

The ATJ Fund offers charitable financial support to nearly 40 civil legal-aid service organizations in the state that provide legal advice and assistance to low-income families. The fund was established in 1998 by a voluntary collaboration between the State Bar of Michigan, the Michigan State Bar Foundation, and Legal Services Association of Michigan.

Under the leadership of Candace Crowley, manager of the ATJ program, Smith will collaborate with the ATJ task force, the ATJ statewide campaign committee, and the State Bar Foundation on the development of strategic fundraising activities to further increase the fund's growing $1 million endowment. In addition, she will work in partnership with the state's legal-aid service programs to develop and coordinate their own fundraising efforts with the ATJ campaign.

Smith was previously the assistant director of development for Michigan State University's College of Engineering. Prior to working for Michigan State University, Smith was the director of membership services for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. Smith is a 1992 graduate of Spring Arbor College and resides in Perry.