2021 Pro Bono Workshop presented online May 25-26

After a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Bar of Michigan Justice Initiatives Committee is pleased to announce that the 2021 Pro Bono Workshop will be held virtually via Zoom Tuesday, and Wednesday, May 25-26. Beginning each day at 12:15 p.m. and ending at 3:45 p.m., the 2021 Pro Bono Workshop will cover several timely topics and provide opportunities for networking with members of Michigan’s access to justice community.

The schedule will consist of:

• Day One - May 25

The first day of the 2021 Pro Bono Workshop will be devoted to expungements and the new “Clean Slate” legislation that took effect on April 11, 2021.

12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.—Virtual Networking Lunch (lunch on your own.)
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.—Session One, “Update on Michigan Law & Policy”

“Day One - Session One” will provide an overview of Michigan’s new “Clean Slate” legislation; what offenses will be automatically set aside; why expungements of eligible criminal offenses can be life-changing for low-income clients; best practices for establishing an expungement pro bono program; and much more.

Panelists include: John Cooper, Safe & Just Michigan; Sarah Munro, Michigan Advocacy Program; Eli Savit, Washtenaw County prosecutor; and moderator John Sier, Kitch

2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.—Break
2:30 to 3:45 p.m.—Session Two,  “Ask the Experts!”

“Day One - Session Two” will include a panel of expungement “experts” who will take a deeper dive into the new legislation and the significant changes it provides to Michigan’s expungement process. Panelists will also be available to answer all expungement-related questions.

Panelists include: John Cooper, Safe & Just Michigan; John Pallas, Dept. of the Michigan Attorney General; and Anne Yantus, Bodman PLC

• Day Two - May 26

12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.—Virtual Networking Lunch (lunch on your own.)
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.—Session One, “Pro Bono Service Delivery Using Technology During COVID-19”

“Day Two - Session One” will discuss how new technologies have impacted the provision of pro bono legal services during the pandemic, and what to expect post-COVID and beyond.

Panelists include: Kaitlyn Elias, Kitch; Michelle Erickson, Lakeshore Legal Aid; Angela Tripp, Michigan Legal Help; and moderator Caroline Bermudez-Jomaa, Legal Aid & Defender Assoc.

2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.—Break
2:30 to 3:45 p.m.—Session Two, “Trauma Informed Practice During COVID-19”

“Day Two - Session Two” will discuss trauma informed practice and the delivery of legal services during COVID-19 and how the pandemic has affected/changed clients dealing with unemployment, social security and other public benefits, evictions, etc.

Panelists include: Ashley Lowe, Lakeshore Legal Aid; Alisa Parker, Legal Services of South Central Michigan,  Lisa Ruby, Michigan Advocacy Program, and moderator Khalilah Spencer, Honigman LLP

To register for the workshop, visit www.michbar.org/news/calendar and scroll down to May 25.