Hello, LAWM friends!


It's a busy, busy, busy June! Here's what we've got:

  • We represented "Sharon" to make sure she didn't lose her home when she faced an eviction due to the landlord's record-keeping error.
  • Our "2023 Impact" report is a by-the-numbers look at some of the results we achieved for clients last year.
  • We're so happy that a great team of summer interns has joined us!
  • Eviction diversion funds in Michigan are running out; learn more
  • Pro Bono Corner!

A Young Family Keeps Their Home

“Sharon” is a mom caring for young kids. She lives on very low income and qualifies for housing assistance, which enabled her to move into a new rental home. A problem arose when the rental house failed an inspection, because this affected when Sharon's housing assistance would kick in. This led to confusion in the landlord’s financial record-keeping, and the landlord sued to evict Sharon for not paying rent. Sharon thought she did everything she needed to do—including paying rent. She came to us fearing that she and her kids could lose their home.


We investigated and assembled financial records showing that Sharon was right: her rent was fully paid, and there was no reason to evict her. We negotiated with the landlord’s attorney, and all parties agreed to stop the eviction. Sharon saved her home.     

Our Impact in 2023

Welcome, Summer Interns!

We're delighted to have all our our summer interns with us: Charlie, Dayna, Kaleigh, Molly, and Kevin!

Funds for Eviction Diversion are Running Out

Listen to our director, Pam Hoekwater, along with Ashley Lowe of Lakeshore Legal Aid, explain how funding may run out for highly effective eviction diversion programs in Michigan courts.


Pro Bono Corner:

Clean Slates, Trainings, and Honors Rolls...oh my

Hollywood may have The Avengers, but we have The Expungers! LAWM expungement advocates, including a team of volunteer attorneys from the Whirlpool Corporation, joined Present Pillars and other Benton Harbor community advocates for a Clean Slate expungement fair on June 19, serving dozens of local residents.


Speaking of volunteer attorneys, this month we wrapped up our three-session "BBQ Series" attorney training program. Thanks to all the volunteers who joined us to learn about family law, probating an estate, and consumer debt collection in Michigan. And special thanks to our friends at the Grand Rapids Bar Association for being our BBQ hosts and partners.

Finally, the State Bar of Michigan released its annual Pro Bono Honor Roll, highlighting 900+ Michigan attorneys who volunteered their time in 2023. Dozens of these attorneys volunteered through our Pro Bono Program. And to them we say: THANK YOU!!!

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Grand Rapids

(Kent, Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm

& Osceola Counties)

25 Division Ave S, Ste 300

Grand Rapids, MI 49503


Muskegon

(Lake, Mason, Muskegon,

Newaygo & Oceana Counties)

450 Morris Ave, Ste 104

Muskegon, MI 49440

Kalamazoo

(Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph

& Van Buren Counties)

141 E. Michigan Ave, Ste 400

Kalamazoo, MI 49007


Holland

(Allegan & Ottawa Counties)

115 Clover Ave, Ste 101

Holland, MI 49423

St. Joseph

(Berrien County)

901 Port St

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Our supporting funders include: