The Michigan Advocacy Program’s Board of Directors recently announced that, following a national search, it chose long-time MAP staff member Shannon Lucas as executive director, starting her tenure on July 1.
She succeeds Ann Routt, retiring after nearly 40 years of service.
Lucas has been MAP’s Director of Advocacy since 2018, leading strategic planning, policy development, and advocacy for MAP’s Legal Services Corporation-funded offices.
She has been integral to many important projects and initiatives, including the creation and maintenance of a new office focused on unemployment and expungement advocacy, the building of MAP’s pro bono program, and the establishment of Eviction Diversion Programs across South Central Michigan.
Prior to becoming Director of Advocacy, Lucas served as managing attorney for the Monroe field office of Legal Services of South Central Michigan for 18 years, serving Monroe and Lenawee Counties.
She started her legal career as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Bureau of Southern Michigan, now Legal Aid of Western Michigan.
Lucas has presented on issues of advocacy and management at national and regional conferences, including with the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, Management and Information Exchange, the Committee on Regional Training, and the Michigan Poverty Law Program.
She is a member of the State Planning Body, the Legal Services Association of Michigan, the NLADA Litigation Leaders Training Committee, and the Michigan Unemployment Modernization Taskforce. In addition, she is past board president and current board member of Catherine Cobb Safe House in Lenawee County.
Lorray Brown will continue as the sole executive director of Michigan State Advocacy Services (MSAS).
She succeeds Ann Routt, retiring after nearly 40 years of service.
Lucas has been MAP’s Director of Advocacy since 2018, leading strategic planning, policy development, and advocacy for MAP’s Legal Services Corporation-funded offices.
She has been integral to many important projects and initiatives, including the creation and maintenance of a new office focused on unemployment and expungement advocacy, the building of MAP’s pro bono program, and the establishment of Eviction Diversion Programs across South Central Michigan.
Prior to becoming Director of Advocacy, Lucas served as managing attorney for the Monroe field office of Legal Services of South Central Michigan for 18 years, serving Monroe and Lenawee Counties.
She started her legal career as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Bureau of Southern Michigan, now Legal Aid of Western Michigan.
Lucas has presented on issues of advocacy and management at national and regional conferences, including with the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, Management and Information Exchange, the Committee on Regional Training, and the Michigan Poverty Law Program.
She is a member of the State Planning Body, the Legal Services Association of Michigan, the NLADA Litigation Leaders Training Committee, and the Michigan Unemployment Modernization Taskforce. In addition, she is past board president and current board member of Catherine Cobb Safe House in Lenawee County.
Lorray Brown will continue as the sole executive director of Michigan State Advocacy Services (MSAS).
