After undergoing a devastating breast cancer diagnosis, a mastectomy, and chemotherapy while trying to juggle the responsibilities of a single mom, the Michigan attorney was struggling. She needed help.

Our colleagues, once alerted to her situation, responded in force, with 74 members of our Bar donating transportation for her kids, takeout meals from restaurants, gift cards for grocery stores, and more through the State Bar of Michigan’s SOLACE program.

SOLACE assists members of the legal community who are in crisis — and it is just one of the many ways the State Bar of Michigan serves its purpose and accomplishes its mission.

The State Bar of Michigan was established by the Legislature in 1935 as an organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice and the delivery of legal services. Our mission today is to promote the professionalism of lawyers; advocate for an open, fair, and accessible justice system; and provide services to members to help them best serve their clients.

Unless you’re an active volunteer or seasoned participant in State Bar sections, committees, events or activities, you may not know the full breadth of the value of the State Bar of Michigan. Admittedly, I was involved in State Bar leadership for many years before I began to get a true picture of the important services the State Bar provides to its members.

Did you know that the State Bar of Michigan employs more than 70 employees? This includes the standard accounting, human resources, and IT departments — but also provides three staff wholly dedicated reviewing and summarizing recent court opinions for the daily eJournal, five employees supporting the Lawyer Referral Service, and four who support the mental health and wellbeing of those in the legal profession, and much more.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways the State Bar of Michigan plays a crucial role in supporting its members:

LICENSING AND REGULATION

At its core, the State Bar of Michigan is responsible for helping to maintain the standards of legal practice in Michigan. It works closely with the Michigan Supreme Court to administer:

• Licensing: SBM works closely with the Board of Law Examiners to support their work by investigating the character and fitness of prospective Michigan attorneys and by administering annual license renewal.
• Ethics: Through the work of the Professional Standards Committee and Judicial Standards Committee, SBM provides attorneys and judges with the information they need to know and understand their ethical responsibilities in often complex situations. Opinions are In addition, SBM operates an Ethics Helpline, which can be reached by calling (877) 558-4760, to provide guidance to lawyers and judges about specific situations.
• Unauthorized practice of Law: The State Bar of Michigan is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of the unauthorized practice of law in Michigan, producing communication to help protect the public and uphold the standards of the profession.
• Certificates of Good Standing and Confirmation of Status: A Certificate of Good Standing is official State Bar of Michigan documentation that you are a licensed attorney in Michigan. Certificates of Good Standing are available to active, voluntarily inactive, or emeritus members of the State Bar of Michigan who are not resigned or suspended and who are not subject to pending disciplinary proceedings in Michigan or another jurisdiction. Learn more at michbar.org/programs/cogs.

These functions help ensure that Michigan attorneys maintain the skills, knowledge, and professional integrity expected by clients, the courts, and the public.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT

Helping attorneys be practice ready is a top priority of the State Bar of Michigan’s Strategic Plan. As part of that work, the State Bar of Michigan provides:

• Practice Management Resource Center: The PMRC offers a variety of information to help attorneys from education, technology tips, checklists, and draft forms. Learn more at michbar.org/PMRC
• Well-being resources: The Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program (LJAP) offers confidential help to legal professionals, law school students, and their families. Services include free consultations, referrals to providers, and professional training. Their work helps attorneys dealing with substance use, mental health challenges, and stress — but even more so is helping our profession to begin to truly embrace wellbeing and understand mental health is an important component of professional competency. Learn more at michbar.org/LJAP
• SOLACE: As described in the example earlier, the SOLACE program helps any member of the legal community or their family when they experience a sudden, catastrophic, illness, injury, or event. The program is simple: When there is a need a call for assistance is sent to attorneys who have joined the SOLACE Network. Those who are able and willing to help are put in touch with the member in need. Learn more at michbar.org/SOLACE
• Professionalism and Civility: The Special Committee on Professionalism and Civility offers a speakers bureau as a resource for lawyers, judges, firms, and organizations to help promote the highest standards of personal conduct. Learn more at michbar.org/professionalism.
• Career Center: The SBM Career Center connects talent with opportunities through a searchable database of job postings. Employers and job seekers can utilize this tool at jobs.michbar.org
• Lawyer Referral Service: The State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyer Referral Service has been helping people find the right attorney for more than 40 years. Participation is easy and it is a great way to be directly connected to future potential clients. Sign up at lrs.michbar.org/Account-Login.

These initiatives are designed to support attorneys at all stages of their careers, from new graduates to seasoned professionals.

NETWORKING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING

With over 47,000 members, the State Bar of Michigan helps foster a strong legal community:

• Sections and Committees: Members can join over 40 practice-area-specific sections, such as Family Law, Criminal Law, or Environmental Law. These groups offer networking, continuing legal education, and legislative advocacy tailored to specific areas of law. Learn more at michbar.org/Sections
• Meetings and events: SBM hosts events where members can connect, learn, and share ideas including virtual support groups, tips and tools seminars, and lawyer trust accounts seminars. Check out the calendar at michbar.org to see upcoming events. You can also schedule a meeting at the SBM building. Learn more at michbar.org/programs/rooms
• Local and affinity bar association support: SBM collaborates with local bars throughout the state of Michigan so that attorneys have a variety of support options available to them.

MEMBER SERVICES AND BENEFITS

SBM offers a variety of benefits to make legal practice more manageable and cost-effective:

• Discount programs: Through its partnership program, Michigan attorneys are eligible for discounts for a variety of services including car rental, legal software, insurance, office supplies, practice management tools, and more. Learn more at michbar.org/Benefits.
• Member Directory: There are two online member directories available: ReliaGuide, which is more tailored to helping members of the public find an attorney, and the Classic Directory, often used by attorneys and judges checking the standing of a specific attorney. Both are available through the State Bar’s website at michbar.org. In addition, the State Bar sells a printed directory available in the SBM Store at michbar.org/MemberArea.
• Legal publications: The State Bar publishes the Michigan Bar Journal (michbar.org/Journal) 11 times a year to help keep members informed about legal trends, decisions, and practice updates. It also publishes the eJournal (michbar.org/eJournal) featuring summaries of appeals court decisions on business days.
• Legal Research tools: All members of the State Bar also have free access to vLex Fastcase, a comprehensive, nationwide law library including case law, statutes, regulations, court rules, constitutions, and law review articles. Access vLex Fastcase through the online member area at michbar.org/MemberArea.

ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC SERVICE

The SBM advocates for a fair and accessible legal system and encourages lawyers to give back through:

• Public policy: The State Bar of Michigan actively works for ongoing improvements to legal services in Michigan by assessing the impact of proposed legislation and administrative orders and taking public policy positions on issues as warranted.
• Pro bono initiatives: The State Bar of Michigan coordinates three pro bono programs focusing on patent, QDRO, and tax services and offers malpractice insurance for attorneys providing pro bono service. The State Bar also partners with many other organizations, including legal aid centers in Michigan, to connect lawyers with opportunities to provide free legal assistance to those in need.
• Access to Justice Campaign: Working in partnership with the Michigan State Bar Foundation, the State Bar promotes adequate funding for legal aid centers and works to address justice gaps and bring systemic reform whenever and wherever needed.
• Client Protection Fund management: In cases where a client has been victimized by a lawyer who violates ethical standards and misappropriates funds entrusted to them, the Client Protection Fund can provide reimbursement for losses.

These efforts ensure the legal system in Michigan serves everyone – not just those who can afford it and help promote public confidence in the administration of justice and integrity of the legal profession.

CONCLUSION

The State Bar of Michigan is far more than a regulatory body — it’s a comprehensive support system for Michigan attorneys. By offering professional development, resources, advocacy, and community, the SBM helps lawyers succeed in practice while promoting the values of integrity, competence, and service that are essential to the legal profession.

Whether you’re a solo practitioner, in-house counsel, public defender, or part of a large firm, the SBM’s programs and services are designed to help you thrive — and, ultimately, to help the people of Michigan benefit from a stronger, more effective legal system.