Now is an Exciting Time to Join MAACS

The Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS) is accepting applications to join the assigned counsel roster.  This is a competitive process and MAACS encourages applications from conscientious appellate lawyers with diverse experiences and backgrounds, especially those who are committed to representing indigent clients and contributing to the reform of Michigan’s indigent defense system.  For further information, please visit

In exceptional cases, qualifying applicants may be invited to join the roster immediately, as there is an urgent need for court-appointed counsel to represent approximately 100 “juvenile lifers” who must be resentenced under Montgomery v Louisiana, 136 S Ct 718 (2016), and MCL 769.25a.  Other promising applicants may be invited to join the roster after attending an orientation and training this fall.

Now is an exciting time to join the roster.  Since its merger with the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) in 2014, MAACS has implemented a number of important reforms, including:

A Regional Pilot Project, which has consolidated assignment lists by region to promote greater administrative efficiency and the adoption of standardized attorney fees of $75 per hour in most cases.  Given the overwhelming support of this pilot among roster attorneys and circuit courts alike, MAACS anticipates widespread expansion within one year.

The Appellate Investigation Project, which relies on federal grant funding to provide roster attorneys with investigative services and litigation support in assigned appellate cases statewide.

A subsidized legal research package, which includes a comprehensive Westlaw subscription and complete web access to SADO/CDRC resources.  Valued at over $3,000, this package is available to roster attorneys for $250 per year.

Improved access to resources and training, including frequent targeted seminars and the annual Appellate Writing Workshop, an intense three-day training focusing on client-centered writing and appellate advocacy.

Further information on these and other MAACS operations can be found at the MAACS page on www.SADO.org, or by clicking http://www.sado.org/Page/80/MAACS-Resources-Overview.  View the application to join the roster here http://www.sado.org/content/pub/10668_Roster-Application-.pdf.