4/20/06

Law Day 2006 will begin bright and early for Lansing-area attorneys who will be giving free legal advice as a public service to the people of Michigan. These attorneys will be answering a toll-free hotline Monday, May 1 from 7 to 11 a.m.

By dialing 1-800-968-0044 ext. 254, Michigan residents can speak to an attorney who will listen to their problems and give expert advice.

“Law Day was established almost 50 years ago by President Eisenhower to remind us that the law is the basis of our individual rights in a free, democratic society,” said Thomas Cranmer, president of the State Bar of Michigan. “Attorneys in our Young Lawyers Section have agreed to offer free, confidential legal advice as a way to honor our profession.”

Cranmer also praised Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) for providing the phone bank facility. "Legal Services staff are on the front lines responding to client calls every day, " he added.

Krista Nordberg, the managing attorney of LSSCM's Lansing office said the "Bar's support for legal services and efforts like this help to expand resources to low- and moderate-income families."

This year the State Bar is also teaming with Citadel Broadcasting’s Michigan Talk Network (MTN) to sponsor the Law Day phone bank. It will be featured on MTN’s The Big Show, hosted by Dave Scott and broadcast weekday mornings in 11 Michigan markets.

“The legal system, like the legislature, affects many aspects in our daily lives,” said Tim Hygh, MTN’s general manager. “In keeping with The Big Show’s focus on state government, we want to give our listeners an opportunity to get advice on a wide range of issues.”

Also in conjunction with Law Day, the Michigan Lawyers Auxiliary and the State Bar will host an Awards Luncheon at the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing at 11:30 a.m. The Luncheon will honor 6th, 7th and 8th grade winners of the statewide essay contest on the theme "Liberty under law: separate branches, balanced powers." Marilyn Kelly, justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, is the featured speaker. Other highlights include a tour of the Hall of Justice Learning Center at 10:30 a.m. and a tour of the Capitol at 2:45 p.m.

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