“You meet the best people when you volunteer,” Michigan Solicitor General Ann Sherman said at a recent State Bar of Michigan event.
That statement rings true when I think of the people I have met while volunteering to serve in the two SBM sections most related to my practice: the Criminal Law and Appellate Practice sections. Through my involvement with these sections, I have met brilliant people from across the state and formed incredible friendships.
If you aren’t already a member of a section dedicated to your area of practice or interest, I urge you to take the first step and sign up. It’s as easy as logging into your account at michbar.org and choosing the sections that you want to join.
The SBM Criminal Law Section serves three primary purposes:
- Studying the criminal law and procedures of the state of Michigan and making recommendations to the State Bar of Michigan; the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of Michigan government; and the general public concerning alterations, innovations, and improvements to promote justice and the efficient administration of justice, diversity of the profession, and protection of the public and the rights of each individual;
- Promoting means of reducing the volume of crime in the state; and
- Promoting, in cooperation with other sections or committees of the State Bar of Michigan, the effective institutional and non-institutional correction and rehabilitation of individuals convicted of violating criminal laws of the state.
If you are a criminal law practitioner but aren’t yet a member of the Criminal Law Section, I invite you to join and help the section fulfill its purposes.
Your membership in the Criminal Law Section gives you access to the Shonkwhiler Sentinel, an exclusive newsletter for members. Membership also gives you reduced admission to educational events where you can earn continuing legal education credits and social events where you can get to know section members from across the state.
While the first step is signing up and enjoying the benefits of membership in a section, there is more that you can do to get involved. State Bar sections, including the Criminal Law Section, are always looking for hardworking individuals to become council members — councils serve as the governing bodies for SBM sections. Serving on a council can be time-consuming, but it is a great way to connect with other leaders in your practice area.
Many sections also need members to volunteer to serve on their committees. Committee membership is a good option if you want to volunteer but don’t know if you have enough time to devote to being a council member. The Criminal Law Section has five standing committees: Diversity; Legislation, Court Rules, and Jury Instructions; Nominating; Scholarship; and Social. I invite you to reach out to Sofia Nelson, the 2023-2024 chair of the Criminal Law Section, if you are interested in being appointed to one of our committees.
Truly, by getting involved and volunteering with a section, you will meet the best people. I hope you consider membership in the Criminal Law Section or another section related to your practice area or interests. If you are already a section member, I hope you consider taking your membership to the next level by volunteering for a section council or committee.