EMU Today

A collaboration between Washtenaw County and Eastern Michigan University, the Washtenaw County / Eastern Michigan University Legal Resource Center (LRC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit committed to providing individuals with legal matters in Michigan access to the legal system.

While legal clinics housed in law schools allowing students to get practical experience providing legal assistance in a specific area of the law have been an element of law school curriculum for many years, legal clinics focused on paralegals and housed in or collaborating with paralegal programs is a more recent focus of paralegal curriculum.

After a twenty-year career as a law school professor focused on experiential education grounded in community service, since joining EMU, Elizabeth Donovan has taught the Paralegal Program mandatory Legal Internship course. Through concrete experience, exchange of ideas, collaboration, and reflective observation, the course allows students to better understand course material; obtain insight into their interests, skills, strengths, and challenges; gain professional experience and connections; and serve the community.

Donovan explains: “Carefully crafted learning outcomes as well as time and space for students to critically consider their experiences, are two critical elements of the Legal Internship course. Students connect knowledge and skills learned at the LRC with knowledge and skills learned in Paralegal Program courses.”

Alumnus Gabrielle Anthony, Deputy Juvenile Register/Court Recorder for Livingston County notes “I understood that being mindful of my actions, decisions, and words was not only beneficial for my personal growth but also vital for maintaining a positive and productive work environment.”

Nicole Mackmiller, a Michigan-licensed attorney, serves as LRC manager and Site Supervisor for students. Although they cannot provide legal advice, Mackmiller and Paralegal Program students help individuals locate and complete forms and instructions and provide information on navigating the legal system.

Located in the Washtenaw County Courthouse, the LRC is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. when EMU is in session. Through in-person interactions, email correspondence, and telephone conversations, the LRC assists about 2,400 individuals each year, the majority of whom receive some form of state or federal assistance.

Alumnus Oleg Milhans, Deputy Trial Court Clerk at Washtenaw County Circuit Court, remarked “Engaging directly with the community and serving a few hundred patrons a month gave me a profound sense of accomplishment.”

Individuals who reach out to the LRC seek assistance with domestic matters, probate matters, and small claims, landlord-tenant, and name change matters. The LRC does not assist with appeals or criminal matters.

As Luke Yates, Community Program Development Manager, explains: “The goal of Engage@EMU is to cultivate partnerships between EMU and community organizations. EMU works with the LRC nonprofit organization and Washtenaw County to help people navigate the court system and ensure equal access to the justice system."

Alum Audrey Brown, a Legal Assistant for Cooper & Riesterer PLC in Brighton reflects: “I am motivated to uphold my professionalism to the highest standards and leverage my experience at the LRC to affect positive changes in both the legal system and the larger community.”