Nora Ryan Named Program Director of Michigan Legal Help | |
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This month, Nora Ryan was named the permanent Program Director of Michigan Legal Help, which provides legal information to millions of self-represented litigants across Michigan each year. Following the departure of Angela Tripp this past March, Nora stepped into the role of Interim Director, leading a transition that allowed MLH to meet its daily demands and maintain its operations effectively and efficiently.
During her tenure as Interim Director, Nora continued to demonstrate exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to MLH's mission, managing a dedicated team of staff, overseeing multiple special projects with numerous partners, and coordinating a complex data migration process. In addition to the many statewide committees on which she already served, Nora became the Vice-Chair of the Justice for All Commission in March of this year.
Nora began her career at MLH as a Staff Attorney in 2021 before transitioning to Supervising Attorney, where she contributed to tremendous growth of the MLH Self-Help Center program. Prior to MLH, Nora clerked for the Honorable Laurie J. Michelson at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, litigated in state and federal court, and served as a Skadden Fellow at Impact for Equity in Chicago.
Please join us in welcoming Nora to her new role!
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Inspiration on the Track: Celebrating Ellen Sugrue Hyman's Paralympic Triumphs | |
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With this summer’s Paralympic Games, we are highlighting MEJI’s Ellen Sugrue Hyman’s incredible achievements. Ellen was born with cerebral palsy and began competing in disabled sports when she was 13, quickly falling in love with discus throw.
Ellen competed in the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, winning the gold medal in the discus throw. She also competed in the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona. Ellen is a lawyer, disability advocate, and the project lead for MEJI’s Nursing Home Transparency and Accountability Project, and brings a winning spirit to everything she does!
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A few fun facts about Ellen's experience at the 1996 Paralympic Games
- Ellen left for the Paralympics just days after taking the Illinois Bar Exam. (She passed the bar exam, too.)
- Her event was so late in the games that they had a meeting about packing to go home before she competed.
- The athletes had a ribbon attached to their credentials that allowed them to get Coca-Cola products from the vending machines through the Village at no charge.
- It was pouring rain during Ellen’s event so she wasn’t able to throw as far as she had hoped!
- Ellen had worked so hard for so long for the gold medal that she carried it everywhere and slept with it for weeks after the event.
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LSSCM Office Gets a Touch of Art
Last month, LSSCM's Battle Creek office was part of Color the Creek, a weeklong festival held every August in Battle Creek. During the festival, local, regional, and national artists produce large-scale murals throughout neighborhoods across Battle Creek, in addition to hosting several community and cultural events.
During this year's festival, LSSCM's office received a beautiful mural of Lady Justice on its exterior wall.
For more information on Color the Creek, visit colorthecreek.com.
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FLS Staff Attend Farmworker Appreciation Day
Last month, FLS staff members attended Farmworker Appreciation Day in Grant, MI, hosted by the Sparta Area Migrant Resource Council. At this year’s event, volunteers distributed door prizes, backpacks with school supplies, groceries, and clothes to 150 families, totaling over 654 individuals! Guests enjoyed resource information, health screenings, games, prizes, music, and refreshments at agency booths. The Kent District Library bookmobile also issued library cards, adding to the fun.
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MAP Staff Enjoy a Day at Potter Park Zoo
Last month, staff gathered at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing for our annual program picnic. Staff, family, and friends enjoyed a beautiful day filled with great company, delicious food, and lots of fun!
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MAP Staff Attend MIE Conference in Atlanta
Last month, MAP staff members attended a national conference organized by Management Information Exchange (MIE) in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference provided staff with valuable insights and offered extensive opportunities for networking with peers from other legal aid programs across the country.
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MAP Bids Farewell to FLS Summer Interns
Thank you to our incredible interns this summer at FLS. Your hard work in educating workers about their rights, spotting key issues, writing impactful memos, creating informative flyers, and bringing fresh, creative ideas has made a significant difference. We couldn't have done it without you!
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Interested in Legal Aid Work?
Here are some ways you can make a difference!
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Join Our Team
We are seeking new team members who share our passion for providing access to justice to those who need it most. Visit our employment page for full postings.
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Volunteer
MAP welcomes volunteer attorneys in each of our counties and programs. To volunteer, please complete our Pro Bono Attorney Registration Form.
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Give
Through your contributions, we can provide safety and security to thousands of Michigan families. Visit the link below to make a non-attorney donation, or click here to make an attorney donation.
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Please help us spread the word about these upcoming community events and resources! | |
Seeking Volunteer Attorneys for New Ingham County Family Law Assistance Clinics
The Ingham County Family Law Assistance Clinic takes place at the 30th Circuit Court on the last Wednesday of every month through December from 1-4 PM
We are seeking volunteer attorneys to provide brief advice in family law matters at our new Family Law Assistance Clinic in Ingham County.
Sign up here
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2024 Washtenaw Family Law Assistance Clinics
The Washtenaw Family Law Assistance Clinic takes place at the 22nd Circuit Court on the last Wednesday of every month from 12-3 PM
Join us for free legal advice for low-income, unrepresented individuals on issues such as divorce, child custody, personal protection orders (PPO), and more.
Clinic is first-come, first-served until full.
Find more information here
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FLS Featured in U-M Article Highlighting Farmworker Living Conditions
Last month, Farmworker Legal Services was featured in a University of Michigan article shedding light on the harsh realities faced by seasonal and migrant farmworkers across Michigan. The study, part of the Michigan Farmworker Project, revealed alarming living conditions, including crowded housing, unsanitary facilities, and inadequate amenities.
Read here
This research was also recently highlighted in an article by the Toledo Blade.
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