Going into the National Trial Advocacy Competition and We the People as a volunteer judge, I was prepared to help students learn more about our courts and our democratic processes. However, as so often happens with volunteering, I walked away with an invaluable lesson myself and a reminder, once again, of what it truly means to be a lawyer.

Watching those students reminded me of my own beginnings. I could see their nerves but could also sense the fierce determination driving them. I watched some of the nation’s best future litigators show their mastery at the mock trial on steroids that is the National Trial Advocacy Competition, hosted by the State Bar of Michigan’s Young Lawyers Section in Detroit last fall. At the state finals for the We the People civics competition in January, I watched high school students transform into legislative and constitutional experts through the Michigan Center for Civic Education’s annual event.

As soon as the events began, I no longer felt like I was volunteering. I was as engaged as they were. They weren’t just gaining experience by practicing rules of evidence or displaying their Constitutional scholarship, they were living, breathing examples of the rule of law in our country — now and in the future.

I left those events knowing I had contributed something meaningful. I also left with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear reminder that being an attorney is not merely a career, but a form of public service — one that must be modeled, not just taught.

It is a lesson that our profession needs to embrace now more than ever.

For established attorneys, volunteering offers perspective. It pulls us out of our routines and reminds us that the law is not an abstract system — it is lived, argued, amended, and struck down by real people. Whether mentoring students, judging competitions, or speaking to groups, we are reminded that our experience has value beyond our own practices.

For new and future lawyers, the impact is even more profound because they need mentorship now, more than ever. They lived through, and continue to live through, the Covid era and its effects. They missed regular in-person Motion Calls. They missed appearing in front of that grumpy judge who demands punctuality and preparedness — and the embarrassment that followed when they were scolded in front of a courtroom fully of colleagues if they didn’t meet those expectations. These are the very lived experiences that helped mold many of us into the seasoned attorneys we are today. It is incumbent upon us to share those experiences and lessons learned with young and future lawyers through mentorship. We can provide mentorship in many ways, including providing one-on-one guidance, speaking to groups, and judging competitions. When new and future lawyers see experienced attorneys volunteer their time — not for recognition or compensation, but because it matters — they learn something no textbook can teach. They see, in real time, that success in the legal profession includes responsibility to others.

EDUCATING THE PUBLIC

Today, our responsibility to serve extends beyond mentoring and professional development. It includes educating the public about the rule of law itself.

As attorneys we take for granted that the rule of law means that no one is above the law, that legal principles — not people, no matter how powerful or influential — govern outcomes of the courts. It’s easy to forget just how fragile the rule of law can be, and that it doesn’t happen on its own. To survive, it requires us, but also the trust and understanding of the public.

Many people encounter the legal system only at moments of crisis — either their own or witnessing it via the news in troubling or uncertain times. If their only exposure to the law is negative or confusing, confidence in the system erodes.

That is why public legal education is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

As attorneys, we are uniquely positioned to explain how the system works, why it works the way it does, and what protections it is designed to provide. When we volunteer to educate students and community members, we help demystify the law. We replace suspicion with understanding and cynicism with context. And in doing so, we strengthen not only public trust, but democracy itself.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We’ve got billable hours, work and home demands, not to mention our own health and well-being to deal with. It’s easy to sit back and think that perhaps our help isn’t needed. We have our roles and responsibilities, and it’s easy to assume that surely someone else is stepping up to help where it is needed. Of course, many of us already volunteer in some way (and thank you for your service and commitment!), but the fact is that more help is desperately needed. As president of the State Bar of Michigan, I have had the opportunity to step out of my routine circle of friends, events, and volunteering. At every turn, I have been shocked to see how few of my colleagues have answered the call when volunteers are needed. Here’s the other fact: Volunteering isn’t hard. Often it is just a few hours of your time that can make a world of difference.

I urge all attorneys to step up and live our values to support the rule of law in tangible ways. Here is a look at a few opportunities:

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

The Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar — commonly referred to simply as YLS — is a powerhouse of outreach, events and activities. They host the National Trial Advocacy Competition in the fall and always need volunteers. Plus, they host a holiday party offering giveaways and legal guidance to families in Detroit as well as various other section events designed to help new lawyers connect with each other and seasoned attorneys to allow for ongoing professional development and casual mentorship. There also is the opportunity to get more involved with YLS specifically. YLS now includes Michigan attorneys for 10 years after they are admitted to the Bar. Some of you are likely already members of YLS and just don’t realize it. Get involved; you won’t regret it. Learn more at connect.michbar.org/yls.

PRACTICE AREA SECTIONS

The State Bar of Michigan offers 43 practice area sections for members to stay up to date on legal issues, network, and advance issues of jurisprudence. These volunteer opportunities are central to our work as attorneys as officers of the court. Working with a State Bar of Michigan section provides you with the opportunity to provide input on proposed rules and legislation impacting your practice area. Sections also take a leadership role in continuing legal education and often produce journals and events to keep members up to date on legal developments in their field. They also are the breeding grounds for lifelong friendships, job opportunities, and mentorship. Just being involved in a section can serve as a constant reminder that as an attorney, you’re part of something bigger than your own practice. Learn more at michbar.org/Sections

FACE OF JUSTICE

The State Bar of Michigan’s Face of Justice program, featured in last month’s Michigan Bar Journal, is another opportunity to have a direct and personal impact on the next generation of lawyers, judges, paralegals, police officers, and more. Volunteering is easy and often takes just a few hours. Volunteers from throughout the legal profession meet with high school and law school students who are filled with questions and eager to learn more about our real-world experiences. Volunteers meet one-on-one or in small groups of students for speed mentoring sessions. The events typically last just a few hours and are hosted throughout the year. For attorneys, it’s a chance to demystify the profession and pass on their own experiences and lessons. Email program director Gregory Conyers at gconyers@michbar.org for more information.

MOCK TRIALS

The Michigan Center for Civic Engagement is a State Bar of Michigan partner that provides mock trial opportunities to students. Mock trial is an immersive courtroom experience and a wonderful opportunity to recruit young people into the legal profession. There are opportunities to volunteer a little or a lot, and the mock trial season continues through May. For volunteers, it is an opportunity to help students learn advocacy skills while reinforcing professionalism, fairness, and respect for the judicial process. For students, these interactions are formative — and often unforgettable. Learn more at mimocktrial.tabroom.com.

WE THE PEOPLE

The Michigan Center for Civic Education also hosts the annual We the People competition, which essentially functions as mock legislative hearings. Students testify before panels of volunteer attorneys, educators, and civic leaders to present their interpretation of the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, to advocate on a particular issue. After the students present, volunteer judges then discuss the issue more in depth regarding the content, history, and applicability of the Constitutional relevancy. The season runs from November to January. Learn more at miciviced.org/programs/we-the-people.

YOUR TURN

As attorneys, we are custodians of the rule of law. That role carries privileges, but it also carries responsibilities — to educate, to model, and to serve. When we volunteer, we honor those responsibilities in the most direct way possible.

Getting involved does not require a dramatic commitment or a complete overhaul of one’s schedule. It starts with a single yes to judge a round, speak to a class, mentor a student, or explain the system to someone encountering it for the first time.

The example opportunities I provided are just a few of many: Local bar associations, local courts, and local schools also offer additional ways for you to get involved to both support your community and the legal profession. I encourage you to consider how you might get involved — for the first time, once again, or in a new way. Volunteering is a tangible reminder of what drew you to the law and why you dedicated your life to it — and you might just inspire someone else to do the same.