The Access to Justice (ATJ) Campaign saw an incredible 32% increase in donations from the legal community in 2019, for a total of $1.2 million raised. The legal aid programs supported by the ATJ Campaign are grateful for the law firms, corporate legal departments and individual lawyers who gave to the campaign. A full list of names was published in the October Michigan Bar Journal and the 2019 ATJ Campaign Annual Report. Every dollar donated to the Access to Justice Campaign goes directly to ensuring access to justice for Michiganders in need.
It will be crucial to build on the success of the 2019 ATJ Campaign this year and for years to come. Legal aid programs are working tirelessly, as the need for free civil legal help exponentially increases amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Threatened evictions, increased domestic violence, and widespread unemployment issues are only a few examples of the unique scenarios faced by those living in poverty during our current times.
In 2019, over 1.9 million people were eligible for civil legal aid in Michigan, meaning they live below 125% of the federal poverty level ($32,750 for a family of four). We expect that this year, the number of people who have qualified for legal aid has increased. The demand for civil legal aid far outweighs the available resources.
In late summer, the Access to Justice Campaign hosted its first Thank You event to celebrate the 2019 success of the campaign and to reflect on how access to an attorney changes lives for those living in poverty. The virtual event, which was originally slated to be held in person at Ford World Headquarters, featured speeches from Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, Justice Brian Zahra, Bradley Gayton, MSBF Board President Edward Pappas, and State Bar of Michigan President Dennis Barnes.
Pappas, president of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, thanked donors and shared how legal aid programs are preparing for both an increase in the need for help and in the number of people who qualify for help. "The support received in 2019 has made a significant difference in legal aid's ability to help families through this pandemic and to address inequities in access to justice."
There is still work to be done. With strong backing from major law firms, banks, and corporations, the legal community can increase legal aid's ability to help families through this pandemic and address inequities in access to justice.
During October national pro bono month, Michigan lawyers are encouraged to examine how they can increase access to justice for those who need it most, whether by giving money or their time.
The State Bar of Michigan's A Lawyer Helps program recently published its 2020 Pro Bono Honor Roll, celebrating lawyers who support access to justice by providing pro bono legal services to low-income individuals and families throughout Michigan.
For additional information about how to support civil legal aid to the poor through the ATJ Campaign, visit www.atjfund.org or contact Laura Musachio at laura@msbf.org. For additional information on pro bono opportunities visit www.michbar.org/alawyerhelps/home or contact Rob Mathis at rmathis@michbar.org.
Published: Tue, Oct 27, 2020
