Ice hockey clubs from five of the six Michigan law schools recently competed against each other at the historic Yost Arena on the University of Michigan campus in a charity benefit that raised $3,600 for the Access to Justice (ATJ) Fund. This event grew out of an annual charity game between Wayne State University Law School and University of Detroit Mercy Law School teams that took place for nearly two decades, with rotating charitable beneficiaries. For the second year in a row, Skate for Justice law student organizers recognized that the ATJ Fund was the most appropriate cause to support and expanded the tournament format this year to include other schools and raise its visibility. Participants included the University of Michigan Law School, Ave Maria School of Law, the University of Detroit Mercy Law School, Wayne State University Law School, and Michigan State University College of Law.

During half time, fans were encouraged to skate with the players and enter drawings for zamboni rides around the arena. The festivities began with speeches and a ceremonial dropping of the puck by State Bar of Michigan past president Regional Turner and State Bar Commissioners Kimberly Cahill and Nancy Diehl. The four-game tournament ended with an exciting championship game between Detroit Mercy and Michigan State University from which Detroit Mercy skated away victorious. Afterwards, tournament players and fans enjoyed a post tournament reception at the Arena Restaurant in Ann Arbor. Most importantly, organizers are pleased that the Skate repeated last year’s success and that the event prompts healthy law school rivalries in support of Access to Justice.

The ATJ Fund supports private giving to civil legal aid programs in Michigan with nearly $4.5 million raised in donations, pledges, and planned gifts. More than $2 million of that has been directed to endowment funds to ensure that legal aid is supported in perpetuity. This continued generosity assures that individuals and families have fair access to the justice system regardless of their ability to pay. ATJ donations are received and managed by the Michigan State Bar Foundation, with the net proceeds from this year's Skate for Justice benefiting the ATJ Operations Fund for use throughout the state.

For more information regarding the Access to Justice Fund, the unmet needs ofcivil legal services, and the non-profit programs that provide civil legal services,visit www.atjfund.org or call Lesa Smith at 800-968-1442.