Michigan lawyers are advised that the following elections will be held in June 2019:
- A statewide election for a non-judicial member of the Judicial Tenure Commission
- Elections for the members of the Representative Assembly in 39 judicial circuits
- Elections for members of the Board of Commissioners in five commissioner districts
- Elections for members of the Young Lawyers Section Executive Council in three districts
Electronic ballots will be distributed no later than June 1, 2019, and lawyers without an email address on file will receive a ballot in the mail. Ballots must be received postmarked or completed online no later than June 15, 2019.
If you have questions, contact Marge Bossenbery, mbossenbery@michbar.org or Carrie Sharlow, csharlow@michbar.org.
The State Bar Election Notice for the 2019 elections, including nominating petitions, can be found in the March Michigan Bar Journal, beginning on page 54. Petitions found in the Bar Journal may be used to submit your name for one of the leadership roles at the State Bar of Michigan or Judicial Tenure Commission. Nominating petitions must be submitted no later than April 30, 2019.
The State Bar of Michigan Modest Means program faces a critical shortage of attorney panel members for family law referrals, particularly in divorce and child custody matters. Since the inception of the program one year ago, more than 600 modest means applications have been received and approved. The program, which operates through the SBM Lawyer Referral Service, is aimed at bridging the access to justice gap for the “missing middle”—people who don’t qualify for legal aid but cannot afford the market rate for legal services. Those in households with income less than 250% of the federal poverty level are eligible for services in the program. For those clients with incomes under 200% of the poverty level, your legal services will count toward the State Bar’s Voluntary Pro Bono Standard, and all panel members are exempted from the usual 10% remittance fee to the Lawyer Referral Service. Practice areas are limited to domestic/family law and Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but other practice areas will be added soon. More information on becoming a Modest Means panel member.
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2019
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Date: Thursday, April 25, 2019
You won't want to miss the opportunity to get the latest developments in case law, invaluable technology, and practice management tips at the Upper Michigan Legal institute, taking place this year during the Lilac Festival on June 14 and 15 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
Nominations are being accepted for two State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly awards. The Michael Franck Award is given annually to an attorney who has made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of the legal profession. The Unsung Hero Award is presented to a lawyer who has exhibited the highest standards of practice and commitment for the benefit of others.
The latest episode of the State Bar of Michigan’s On Balance podcast features Judge Michelle Rick and attorney Kim Jones, who discuss the problems faced by people with unmet civil legal needs due to an inability to secure legal representation. Guest host Darin Day talks with them about rule changes for limited scope representation in Michigan that aim to decrease the justice gap. They describe the new rules and provide examples of how Michigan attorneys can provide these types of limited legal services to clients. They also encourage lawyers to check out the Limited Scope Tool Kit.