State Bar's third annual spring pro bono workshop scheduled for May 25

"Nurturing Pro Bono: An interactive workshop for Michigan's pro bono coordinators" will be presented from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, at the State Bar of Michigan's Michael Franck Building in Lansing. The State Bar's Pro Bono Initiative presents this third annual spring workshop free of charge to those who register in advance. This year's event is a "hands-on" workshop for non-profit directors, pro bono managers and coordinators, and their staff. This is a must-attend event for anyone involved with pro bono work, including large and small firms, non-profit legal service providers, and in-house corporate counsel. "The spring pro bono workshop is a great opportunity for pro bono coordinators to share and expand successful methods of matching clients with attorneys to help address the tremendous unmet legal needs of Michigan's poor," noted SBM President W. Anthony Jenkins. "More than a third of Michigan's population qualifies for free help from legal aid programs because they live below 200 percent of the federal poverty limit, but nearly 50 percent of those who qualify are turned away because of a lack of resources." State Bar Executive Director Janet Welch will be a guest speaker and will also provide her insights into the growing need for pro bono volunteers in Michigan, and will encourage participants to continue to learn and share best practices to meet legal needs. This year's workshop sessions will include topics such as "Fundraising for Pro Bono Programs," "The Nuts and Bolts of a Successful Pro Bono Program," and "How to Engage Large Firms with Pro Bono." Lunch will be provided. To register for the workshop visit www.michbar.org/programs/ProBonoPower.cfm. For additional information, contact Robert Mathis at rmathis@mail.michbar.org or (517) 346-6412. Published: Wed, May 4, 2011