Justice for All Commission Sets Out to Improve Court Access

January 26, 2021

The newly created Justice for All (JFA) Commission brings together leaders and advocates from across Michigan to work toward the goal of making our state’s civil justice system 100 percent accessible. By making the court system easier to navigate, and working toward other goals outlined in the Justice for All Task Force’s Strategic Plan, the commission aims to help more people solve civil legal problems.

“All Michigan residents must have equal access to our courts and to resources needed to navigate our justice system, regardless of who they are, what they earn, or where they come from,” Chief Justice Bridget McCormack said in announcing the Michigan Supreme Court’s adoption of Administrative Order 2021-1, which created the JFA Commission.

The leadership, direction, and administrative support for JFA Commission activities will be provided collaboratively by the State Court Administrative Office, the State Bar of Michigan, and the Michigan State Bar Foundation. SBM Executive Director Janet Welch serves on the commission’s executive team, along with State Court Administrator Tom Boyd and the executive director of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, Jennifer Bentley. A full list of appointees is available here.

JFA Commission member and SBM President Rob Buchanan said, “Since its founding in 1935, the State Bar of Michigan has been committed to serving the public, and there’s no better way to advance our calling than ensuring access to justice for everyone. I am delighted the State Bar is part of this extraordinary initiative. Our courtrooms can be daunting and impeding places, even now in the new age of Zoom access. Nobody should be denied resources or equality he or she needs and deserves for a fair outcome.”