Our Mission
Established in 2010, the mission of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Project (MiUI, pronounced “my-u-eye”) is to engage law students to bring justice to those in need in their community. We do this by recruiting and training volunteer law students to provide free Unemployment Insurance (UI) advice and advocacy for area unemployed Michiganders.
Our Methods
MiUI partners with area law schools and students groups to recruit and train law students to become effective UI advocates. Under the supervision of an experienced attorney students provide Unemployment Insurance free advice and representation to unemployed Michiganders. We provide not only a practical experience opportunity for students to develop real world advocacy skills but also an opportunity for them to engage their community in significant and meaningful ways.
Free Community Services Offered By Students· Advice regarding the UI claims process · Advocacy with the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) at initial stages of the claims process · Representation at administrative hearings, the Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission, the Circuit Court, and the Michigan Court of Appeals · Policy analysis and advocacy on emerging issues affecting UI claimants in Michigan · Public education materials and workshops for the unemployed and those that work with them.
Our Partners
Michigan Immigration and Labor Law Association - a law student run organization at the University of Michigan Law School
Our Funders
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Our Board of Directors
Rick McHugh (President) National Employment Law Project, Senior Attorney
John VanDeventer (Vice President) University of Michigan Law School, Student
Diane Fears, JD (Secretary)
Wayne State University Law School, Director of Career Services and Student Pro Bono Program
Kara Moberg
Farmworker Legal Services, Staff Attorney
Nick Rine University of Michigan Law School, Clinical Professor
Cheryl Sanford Michigan State AFL-CIO Human Resources Development, Inc., Regional Manager
Anne Schroth University of Michigan Law School, Clinical Professor Erkeisha Terry United Way of Southeastern Michigan - Detroit, Community Labor Liaison
Carlos Bermudez UAW Legal Department, Associate General Counsel
Steve Gray General Manager and Supervising Attorney, Ann Arbor Office
Kristin Vanpraet Supervising Attorney, Detroit Office
Adrienne DeFord Supervising Attorney, Lansing Office
Amy Tilchen Attorney & Advocacy Director
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