In September 1998 the State Bar of Michigan created the Open Justice Commission co-chaired by Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court and Judge Harold Hood of the Michigan Court of Appeals. The jurisdiction and mission of the State Bar of Michigan Open Justice Commission is to:

• raise both public and professional awareness of open justice issues and the impact of race, ethnic origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability on the fair delivery of justice in our state;
• reduce or eliminate such bias or invidious discrimination within the courts or legal profession;
• increase public confidence in the fairness of the legal process and the equal application of law for all citizens.

The Commission seeks to highlight its charge by use of a distinctive logo that will appear on all documents issued under its name. We ask all interested individuals to submit for consideration a graphic design for this logo that embodies the mission and principles of the Commission as described above.

Submissions will be judged by a panel of Open Justice Commissioners. The design of the winning logo will be prominently displayed and acknowledged by the Commission and the State Bar of Michigan. An honorarium of $200 will be awarded to the winning design.

Entries should be submitted on standard 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper and be suitable for use on both letterhead and larger documents. Open Justice Commission members and committee members and their families are precluded from participating in this contest.

A copy of this announcement can be received by calling 1-877-247-8233 x 6335 or at the State Bar of Michigan Web Page http//www.michbar.org