Pro Bono

KCBA Pro Bono Opportunities

SBM Malpractice Insurance

Interested in assisting in a KCBA Pro Bono Oppourtunity?

The State Bar of Michigan’s (SBM) Justice Initiatives Committee offers a Malpractice Insurance for Pro Bono Program. The Program extends professional liability malpractice insurance coverage to individual attorneys that take pro bono cases and receive prior approval by SBM staff. Malpractice insurance coverage is only extended for clients with incomes that do not exceed 200% of the current federal poverty guidelines and liquid assets that do not exceed $5,000. (Please see the Federal Poverty Guidelines Chart HERE.)

Currently, the Program offers malpractice insurance coverage through the CIMA Liability Protection Program for Legal Services Professionals and Public Defenders and provides up to $1,000,000 of coverage for each claim and $1,000,000 aggregate for professional liability and up to $100,000 of coverage for each claim and $300,000 aggregate for personal injury liability. For malpractice coverage for patent law related work, there is a $10,000 deductible. This is a claims-made policy and coverage is conditioned upon immediate notification of any potential claim to SBM staff.

PROCESS AND TIME FRAMES:

• To request malpractice insurance coverage through the Program, simply complete and submit the appropriate application for each pro bono client prior to beginning work on the case.

• If you are requesting malpractice insurance coverage for an upcoming legal clinic or similar event where multiple prospective clients are expected to attend, contact SBM's Justice Initiatives Counsel, Robert Mathis.

• Within five business days of receipt of a request for coverage, one day if the request is an emergency, SBM staff will make every effort to provide a letter of coverage outlining the details of the malpractice insurance coverage being provided.

• More details about the Program are provided on the application for coverage.

TO GET STARTED:

• To apply for malpractice insurance coverage through the Program, complete and submit the appropriate application.