Updated: October 1, 2025

This Privacy Policy applies to licensed Michigan attorneys as well as other users of the State Bar of Michigan website. It discloses the information gathering and privacy practices as well as how information is used and shared.

SBM maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect users’ information. Internally, access to information is restricted to State Bar employees who need access in order to provide services. Third parties who provide support services are required to conform to our standards.

By using our website, you consent to our collection and use of this information. Any changes to these standards and practices will be posted to this website.

The SBM website includes links to external webpages and websites that are beyond our control. SBM is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of those sites. While some information on the SBM website is about legal issues, it is not legal advice. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the law and our use in some instances of information provided by outside sources, we make no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content on the SBM website or any other website.

Cookies: Cookies may be used to customize information for website users. A cookie is a small text file that does not personally identify a user, although it does identify a user’s computer. Cookies do not pose a threat, and they do not contain viruses. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but users can update this preference in their web browsers.

Online Payments and Event Registration: Customers placing an order from the SBM Store or registering for an event must provide their name, email address, and mailing address as well as a credit card number/expiration date and CVC code, when applicable. This information is used to process and send order(s), bill credit cards, and contact customers about their orders when necessary.

Promotions, Online Surveys, & Announcements: Those who choose to participate in an online survey, subscribe to an email list, enter a contest, or use one of our other promotional features may be asked for their name, address, P Number, email address, practice areas, or other pertinent information. Any personal information gathered for these purposes will not be used for any other purposes without consent.

SBM MemberSHIP INFORMATION

To meet obligations under statute and court rule, SBM collects and maintains specific public and nonpublic information about licensed Michigan attorneys (SBM members). The Michigan Supreme Court determines what information must be collected for regulatory purposes.

Public Information: SBM member’s name, P number, status (active, inactive, emeritus, etc.), address of record, email address of record, bar admission date, and SBM section and committee memberships are matters of public record and are subject to disclosure. If the disclosure of a member’s address poses a safety or security concern, members can request a limited directory listing here.

If additional directory profile information (such as employer, title, telephone number, photograph) is voluntarily provided, these will be made publicly available on member’s directory profile and are subject to disclosure.

SBM members may choose to have their address of record be a mail-only address (e.g., P.O. Box); however, SBM must still have a physical address on file to comply with Rule 2 of the Michigan Supreme Court Rules Concerning SBM.

SBM members may choose not to have their email address published in their SBM member directory profile. Please note that if an email address is not included in a directory profile, it could limit access to some features such as access to the discussion feature of SBM Connect.

SBM may disclose members’ physical address and email address in response to specific requests from the legal community and Preferred Partners. Members may opt out of receiving legal community and Preferred Partner communications during annual license renewal or by logging in to the online Member Area at any time.

Non-Public Information: SBM members are required by the Michigan Supreme Court to provide the State Bar of Michigan with certain information relevant to the effective regulation of the legal profession, such as birth date, admission date in other jurisdictions, method of admission, county of admission, law school and year of graduation, lawyer trust account information, other jurisdictions where they are licensed, and if they carry malpractice insurance. This information is not public and is not disclosed to third parties, absent the member’s approval, permission of the Supreme Court, a court order, or a valid subpoena.

In addition, all attorneys must declare if they are in private practice and, if so, complete mandatory interim administrator planning.

The Michigan Supreme Court also requires SBM members to annually provide information about any criminal convictions and/or disciplinary action taken against them in other jurisdictions. The State Bar does not retain this information; it is sent directly to the Attorney Grievance Commission and Attorney Discipline Board.

To facilitate better communication and to aid in member practices the State Bar periodically asks for voluntary information such as practice type and firm size. No individual information collected for this purpose is publicly disclosed.

Electronic Voting: To vote in State Bar elections, SBM members must have an unshared email address on file. Members can update their contact information in the SBM online Member Area.

E-File: To facilitate e-service and e-notification functionality, SBM collaborates with the State Court Administrative Office to add an additional email field specifically for use in MiFILE and some courts’ case management systems. Many courts in Michigan receive a data feed of attorney information from SBM, which includes members’ SBM-registered email addresses. This field, labeled as the members’ secondary email address for MiFILE emails, also shared with the courts and MiFILE, which will send notifications to both members’ primary and secondary email addresses.

If you have questions or comments regarding the State Bar of Michigan’s Privacy Policy, please contact Lawyer Services at 1-888-726-3678.