As president of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, I have the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of some of the legal profession’s most unsung heroes: legal aid attorneys.
While most of the legal community, including me, may not regularly encounter veterans navigating complex benefits claims, survivors of domestic violence seeking safety, or families on the brink of losing their homes, legal aid attorneys do — every single day. They are the steady hands guiding clients through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, ensuring that legal challenges do not become life-altering crises. Their work is not only compassionate — it is essential to preserving livelihoods, dignity, and the rule of law for those who are not equipped to face the system alone.
Today, legal aid organizations across Michigan are facing the threat of federal funding cuts. If those cuts come to fruition, our low-income neighbors in Michigan will bear the burden unless we as Michigan lawyers step in to fill the gap. When access to justice is denied, the rule of law begins to erode.
As members of the legal profession, we need to respond. Our oath — to never reject the cause of the defenseless or oppressed — must be more than words. This is a call to action.
How can you respond? Support the Access to Justice Campaign.
The ATJ Campaign is a statewide, collaborative fundraising effort administered by the Michigan State Bar Foundation (MSBF) and operated in partnership with the State Bar of Michigan (SBM), to raise money to support the 14 regional and statewide civil legal aid programs across the state. One hundred percent of donations are distributed to support civil legal aid.
In 2024 alone, legal aid programs supported through the Campaign helped 103,150 people, including 40,431 children. This Michigan legal community made this possible. Last year, the Campaign raised approximately $1.23 million and increased per-attorney giving.
The need is urgent — and your action is needed now to ensure that:
- Families facing wrongful evictions remain in their homes
- Survivors of domestic violence are not forced to live in fear
- Veterans and elders retain access to critical benefits
- Barriers to employment are removed
Today, I urge you to give the Access to Justice campaign. I urge you to protect the rule of law and stand with the most vulnerable Michiganders. Let us demonstrate that justice is a promise that Michigan’s legal community is committed to keeping.