The application window is now open for lawyers to make their mark on the State Bar of Michigan by joining a committee or work group. Lawyers who wish to apply for either an appointment to a committee or a work group assignment during the 2020-21 bar year, which starts October 1, 2020, should fill out the volunteer application online at https://vapp.michbar.org.
Volunteering with the State Bar provides an opportunity to protect the public, better the legal profession, and network with other lawyers from across the state. There’s no need to drive to Lansing to participate as all committee and work group meetings can be attended remotely.
Committee opportunities include:
Professional Standards
• Character and Fitness: Review applicant files flagged for further evaluation by participating in formal evidentiary hearings and making written recommendations; present files during formal hearings to the standing committee as State Bar counsel. Note: This application is for the Standing Committee, which operates separately from the District Committees.
• Client Protection Fund: Review claims and recommend reimbursement of clients from whom lawyers have stolen money.
• Judicial Qualifications: Evaluate candidates for appointment to judicial vacancies and report in confidence to the authority requesting its assistance.
• Lawyers and Judges Assistance: Advise SBM staff in working with law students, attorneys, and judges experiencing mental health or substance use issues.
• Professional Ethics: Prepare written ethics opinions, articles, and other resources to provide guidance to Michigan lawyers regarding professional conduct; recommend amendments to the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC); review and make recommendations on proposed amendments to the MRPC; and recommend and support programs and education related to professional ethics.
• Unauthorized Practice of Law: Propose and support outreach programs to educate the public and the legal professional about the unauthorized practice of law (UPL); review and make recommendations concerning alleged UPL matters.
Public Policy
• Access to Justice Policy: Analyze and make recommendations for positions on proposed legislation, court rules, and other policies for the effective delivery of high-quality legal services in Michigan, equal and fair to all. Make recommendations regarding collateral civil consequences of criminal convictions and issues of adequate representation for adults and juveniles in the criminal justice system.
• American Indian Law: Facilitate and encourage the relationship between the sovereign tribal courts, state courts, and federal courts and the promotion of positive relationships between the lawyers of Michigan and the American Indian community.
• Civil Procedure and Courts: Review proposed court rules and statutes related to civil practice in the courts and make recommendations concerning improvements in the administration, organization, and operation of Michigan state courts.
• Criminal Jurisprudence and Practice: Review proposed court rules and statutes related to criminal procedure and practice in state courts and make recommendations concerning improvements in the operation of criminal law and procedure to promote the fair and efficient administration of criminal justice.
• Justice Initiatives: Implement programs to benefit underserved populations including the poor, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQA people, juveniles, domestic violence survivors, and those with special needs; implement pro bono programs; work to increase resources for civil legal aid programs.
• United States Courts: Collaborate with both the federal judiciary and practitioners regarding proposed federal rule amendments and seek to enhance the quality and efficiency of the federal courts and promote the public’s understanding of the role and functions of the federal court system. The committee also serves as a liaison between the Eastern and Western District Courts and makes recommendations concerning the administration, organization, and operation of the courts.
Communications and Member Services
• Awards: Recruit and review nominations, and select recipients for major SBM awards.
• Michigan Bar Journal: Provide editorial guidance concerning the Michigan Bar Journal, including overseeing the development of theme issues and reviewing unsolicited articles.
• Public Education and Outreach: Create ways to improve the general public’s understanding of the legal system.
• Social Media & Website: Help develop content for and promotion of the State Bar’s online presence.
Implementation and Innovation
• Affordable Legal Services: Recommend innovative practices to provide low-cost legal services and evaluate efforts to expand access to affordable legal services for persons of modest means.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Develop tools, strategies, and programs to improve and support diversity and inclusion in the legal profession in Michigan.
• Online Legal Resource & Referral Center: Advise staff on development of Online Legal Resource and Referral Center and Lawyer Referral Service program.
Additionally, short-term, intense work groups focused on specific tasks form throughout the year whenever there’s a need.
Anyone interested in joining a committee or work group should fill out the volunteer application at https://vapp.michbar.org. Applications close on July 30 and appointments will be announced in mid-September.
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Three-County & Full Pass also available
