'In-House Pro Bono' focus of ACC-MI program March 9

The Association of Corporate Counsel-Michigan Chapter (ACC-MI) will present “Making a Difference: Creating or Enhancing Your In-House Pro Bono Programs” sponsored by Miller Canfield on Thursday, March 9, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. This program will be offered online and in person at the Detroit offices of Miller Canfield, 150 W. Jefferson, Ste. 2500.

Countless pro bono opportunities benefit from the unique skills of in-house counsel. However, sometimes finding the right fit can seem daunting. Addressing this issue will be corporate and law firm experts on establishing and managing an effective and successful in-house pro bono program.

Speakers will include:

• Jennifer Lawson, a program manager at the DTE Energy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy. In her role, she manages the foundation’s grantmaking in basic human needs and the environment. She also handles a broad and diverse range of special initiatives focused on advancing the foundation’s mission. Lawson has worked for more than ten years in the nonprofit sector and academia, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at local universities. She serves on the boards of the Michigan Association of United Ways and SPEC Associates.

• Kimberly Ray, chair of the pro bono committee at Ford Motor Company. She has also represented clients in immigration, family law, tenant defense, and name change petitions, along with clinical work in expungement, driver’s license restoration, estate planning, food stamps, and issues facing veterans. Ray has traveled to Washington, D.C., and works locally to advocate for legal services funding. She has held various positions within Ford and Ford Credit over the past twenty years.

• Wendy Richardson, a commercial litigator who has worked on numerous multimillion-dollar class actions and other complex matters. She has experience in election law and voting rights and is co-chair of Miller Canfield’s election law group. As the firm’s pro bono counsel, Richardson heads the firm’s pro bono program, which has garnered national recognition for taking on high-profile, high-impact cases and was shortlisted as one of the nation’s best pro bono programs by the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America.

To register for this program, visit www.acc.com/chapters-networks/chapters/michigan and click on “events.”