Legal Services Corporation to Host Detroit Forum Focused on Housing Stability
Contact
Maria Duvuvuei
Special Projects Manager
(202) 295-1542
DETROIT – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) will host a Detroit forum on July 15 highlighting ongoing efforts to expand access to civil legal services in Michigan, with a particular emphasis on local housing initiatives. The forum will take place at the DoubleTree Suites, 525 W. Lafayette Blvd., from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET. It will also be livestreamed on LSC’s YouTube page.
The event will feature a keynote address by Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, along with remarks from LSC Board Chair John G. Levi and Elizabeth (Beth) T. Clement, president and CEO of the National Center for State Courts and former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Janée Angelíque, a former client of Lakeshore Legal Aid and small business owner, will also share her personal experience and insights from receiving legal help to resolve a housing matter.
A panel of experts will spotlight successful eviction diversion efforts in Michigan. Michigan State Bar Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Bentley will moderate the discussion with speakers representing the different perspectives of legal services providers, the court system and landlords. The panelists include Pamela Hoekwater, executive director of Legal Aid of Western Michigan; Jessica Maas, managing attorney of Michigan Advocacy Program’s Lansing office; Ulices Rosa, eviction diversion facilitator at Michigan's 54-A District Court; and Ryan VanderMeer, co-founder of Urban Pharm property management firm.
A second panel will explore strategies for keeping family homes in their families across generations, featuring insights from a legal aid advocate and a funder. LSC President Ron Flagg will moderate the discussion between Lakeshore Legal Aid CEO Ashley Lowe and Darnell Adams, vice president and director of community initiatives at the Gilbert Family Foundation.
The final panel will make the case for corporate support of civil legal services. LSC Board Member Robert Grey will moderate the discussion featuring Jared Fleisher, vice president of the Rock Family of Companies; Kimberly Yourchock, senior counsel for General Motors; and Kim Ray, senior managing counsel at Ford Credit and chair of Ford Motor Company’s Pro Bono Committee. They will discuss legal aid’s value to American businesses and the importance of a justice system where consumers, employees and employers can access their rights and legal protections.
The forum is co-hosted by LSC’s grantees in the state: Lakeshore Legal Aid, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program and Michigan Indian Legal Services.
This event is open to the press. Inquiries should be sent to duvuvueim@lsc.gov.