Transformational Change Conference Follow-Up

from Deierdre L. Weir

I would like to thank all of you who participated in the February 19th plenary session with Dr. Brenda Pridgen. In terms of steps for the future, the management staff and I will be meeting March 27 to begin to discuss both the management conference and the February 19 session. We will use the information obtained and learned from the sessions to begin to plot a strategy and vision for moving us forward.

To ensure that we have as much information as possible, at the end of the plenary session, four groups were given a particular 'issue' to discuss and formulate recommendations. It would be most appreciated if the scribe/secretary for those four groups would send me a copy of their 'issue,' as well as their recommendations. I would like to incorporate those thoughts/ideas in our forward planning.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the conferences or steps planned for the future, please feel free to contact me directly at extension 6341 or dweir@ladadetroit.org

Federal Chief on Hand for McCree Award

Federal Chief Defender Miriam L. Siefer (third left) was on hand recently at the Federal Bar Association's meeting where it presented the 2007 Wade McCree Award for the Advancement of Social Justice to Fr. Norman P. Thomas (left), pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Detroit. U.S. District Court Judge Arthur J. Tarnow is between Fr. Thomas and Siefer. At right is Kevin Boyle, professor of history at Ohio State University and author of "Arch of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights and Murder in the Jazz Age," and keynote speaker at the bar meeting.

Photo by John Meiu

Legal Aid Will Help Ex-Offenders Get Started

Legal Aid and Defender recently signed agreements with the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative to provide legal information and assistance to ex-offenders re-entering communities in Oakland and Wayne counties.

The goal of the MPRI is to create safer neighborhoods and better citizens by giving returning ex-offenders the critical information and guidance that they need to prepare themselves to become productive and valuable members of our society.

Legal Aid and Defender will provide in both counties legal services to MPRI clients in the areas of identification restoration, child custody, fatherhood responsibility, and other areas that provide legal expertise as identified by MPRI. The organization has provided similar services through MPRI in Macomb County for the past year.

"Our initial grants for these efforts are small," says Civil Law Chief Joan Glanton Howard. "But we have our foot in the door and are hopeful that we will expand the effort in the next round of funding for MPRI."

For more information click here.

Managers Learn 8 Domains of Leading Change

If there's one thing every member of the Management Group took away from the Transformational Change Conference Feb. 8-9 it was the eight domains of leading change. These were the fulcrum of Dr. Brenda Pridgen's message as she led the group through an intense day-and-a-half of sessions about how to manage and lead an organization through an ever-changing future.


Mark Montgomery and Shirley Whitsitt

For the curious, the eight domains are: 1. increase urgency. 2. build a guiding team. 3. get the vision right. 4. communicate for buy-in. 5. empower action. 6. create short-term wins. 7. don't let up. 8. make change stick.


For more information on the conference, contact your manager or chief.

Welcome to Our New Blog

by Deierdre Weir, Executive Director

There's been so much going on recently at Legal Aid and Defender that we have definitely needed a way to improve communications between and among law groups and defender offices, and among all of us as individuals. This need became even more apparent at our recent Leadership Conference and Staff Plenary Conference. At both events, we heard from ourselves that the organization needed better communications and we heard from Dr. Brenda Pridgeon that you can never communicate too much. "Communicate lavishly," she said.

A blog seemed the quickest way to respond to this need. A blog is easy and fast, and can be updated daily if needed. It will also allow individuals to comment on individual posted items or have their own items posted. Guidelines for posting appear elsewhere on the blog. I only ask that we exercise good taste, restraint and civility. This will give everyone an opportunity to be heard on any subject pertaining to Legal Aid and Defender.

So let's have at it, and happy blogging!

Get Your Surveys In!

Earlier this week each employee received a brief survey regarding safety and security issues at our new 613 Abbott location. If you have not done so already, please return yours as soon as possible.

Group Continues to Prepare for Big Move

The Facilities Planning Committee met again yesterday to review the status of various projects related to Legal Aid and Defender's upgoing move from the Penobscot Building to 613 Abbott scehduled for November 2007.

Many concerns are being taken up by the group including technology, furnishings and equpment, parking, safety and security, and the phycial relocation of the organization.

Employees interested in participating in the committee can contact Deierdre Weir at dweir@ladadetroit.org

SEARCHING FOR MOTHER OF THE YEAR!

PRE-MOTHER’S DAY AWARD LUNCHEON

Please tell us in one page or less why your “Special Mom”, Mother, Grandmother, God parent, Step parent, Aunt, Sister, Cousin, Mentor, or Mother Figure should be Mother of the Year! Submit your entry form with a non-refundable registration fee of $10.00.

If selected, your special Mom or Mother Figure will be invited to the Detroit Yacht Club for lunch with three of her special guests, and become part of a special Mother’s Day tribute that will include a certificate and award for “Mother of the Year”, (4) AMC Gold Movie Passes good anytime and a featured photo in The Detroit Legal News. The theme this year is, “The Mixing Bowl; Mixing Motherhood and Careers” featuring special guests panelists.

Contact Tanya Cleveland at tcleveland@ladadetroit.org or 313-965-9419 extension 1-6340.

Submitted By

Name___________________________________________________Relationship___________________
Address__________________________________City____________State___Zipcode_______________
Telephone Number ( ) _________________________Alternate Number________________________

I nominate_________________________________________________________________for Mother of the Year because ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continue on additional sheet of paper
$10.00 Application Fee Deadline Date April 15, 2007

All Checks Payable to: Legal Aid and Defender Association 645 Griswold Street, Suite 3466

Detroit, Michigan 48226
Debit/Credit Cards Also Accepted
Master Card Credit Card Number____________________________________________Exp._______________
Visa Authorized Signature______________________________________________________________
American Express Verification Code ________ (Last 3 Digits on Back of Card) Amount $_______________________
Souvenir Photo $12.00 Each
Luncheon Tickets $40.00 Each

For additional information contact Tanya Cleveland or Evetta Adams at (313) 965-9419 Ext. 16341 or 16342 or Fax (313) 965-9694

Committee Members Sought

There are several openings on the facilities planning committee. If you are interested please contact our executive director, Deierdre Weir at dweir@ladadetroit.org . This is your chance to get involved with the upcoming move and have a say in how we get the job done.

Fall 2007 Target for Move

Detroit-based Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc., one of the nation’s oldest and largest providers of legal services to low income citizens, has announced its purchase of a six-story 78,000 sq. ft. building located at 613 Abbott in downtown Detroit.

The building will become Legal Aid and Defender’s new headquarters when it takes occupancy in October 2007, housing most of its 180 attorneys and support staff who provide a wide range of civil legal services as well as represent defendants in criminal matters in state and federal courts. The organization serves some 20,000 clients annually.

The property also includes twp parking lots with 74-spaces adjacent to the building and a 6500 sq. ft. single story annex building.

Currently Legal Aid and Defender occupies six floors of the Penobscot Building at 645 Griswold St. in downtown Detroit. The organization also has offices in Clinton Township and Pontiac serving clients in Macomb and Oakland counties, and an office on the campus of Wayne State University. The organization serves clients in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties and the city of Detroit.

Located on the western edge of downtown on the corner of Abbott and Third Street, the building was purchased from the Walbridge Aldinger Company, a prominent Detroit construction firm that currently occupies all but two floors of the building.

Deierdre L. Weir, executive director of Legal Aid and Defender, stressed that the decision to relocate was based on the organization’s strategy to build long-term financial security, the desire to own its own headquarters and to accommodate growth.

“We have grown significantly in recent years and have outgrown our space in the Penobscot Building,” said Deierdre L. Weir, executive director of Legal Aid and Defender.

“About two years ago, with our continuing growth, it became apparent that it made more economic sense to own our own building, rather than continue leasing space,” Weir added.

That’s when the organization began looking at properties for sale in the downtown area suitable for the organization, said Weir.

“We wanted to stay downtown because the courts and other services are here, and we looked at several options before the Walbridge property became available,” she said. The location is ideal for Legal Aid and Defender for several reasons, according to Weir.

“The most critical advantage is that it will turn a large annual rent payment into a mortgage payment and this will create growing equity, eventual ownership of a major downtown property, and free up funds to serve more clients,” said Weir.

The new location is more convenient for clients and staff, according to Weir. On-site parking will be easy for clients, visitors and staff, and affordable metered parking is available on adjacent streets she said.

“Having our own building in a highly visible location will be easier for clients to find, and it will give the organization a higher profile in the community,” said Weir.

The building will also consolidate all employees in a central location rather than have them scattered on six different floors of an office tower, she added.

“The 613 Abbott building will be operationally more cost-efficient because our different law groups and departments can share common meeting rooms, reception areas and technology,” said Weir.

The move will also benefit legal services in Macomb and Oakland counties, and western Wayne County, all part of the organization’s service area, according to Weir. “The efficiencies created by being in our own building will add capacity that can be used to improve service to clients in Macomb and Oakland counties,” she said.