An important part of the legal work we do is providing opportunities for pro bono attorney partners to understand the depth of the value of their service to nonprofits and to the communities they serve.
One way we carry this out is by partnering with law schools to host law student externs. MCR's Legal Team demonstrates how young lawyers can activate their skillsets in a manner that may not be as obvious—by helping community organizations navigate complex legal issues so they can focus on their crucial programming.
This winter, we've been privileged to host Emily Grose, a law student from Stanford Law School, as a legal extern. Emily will work with MCR's Legal Team full-time through March 2025. She has already begun working with our team during legal consultations, and participated in our January legal compliance clinic. Emily is also assisting the legal team in doing research and development of legal educational materials for our team to share with clients. She sat with us to tell us some of her story and share her perspective on our work.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
I’m a third-year law student at Stanford University. I moved to Washington, D.C. after college and worked as a paralegal for a legal aid organization, where I really enjoyed the analytical and interpersonal aspects of legal work. In law school, I took a transactional legal writing class and realized that I loved working with contracts.
Through that course and a series of others, including one where we worked directly with local startup companies, I found my passion for transactional law. I’m currently in Michigan for my externship and will be working for a law firm in Ann Arbor after I graduate, focusing on emerging companies and venture capital law.
WHAT DREW YOU TO MCR?
I’ve really enjoyed opportunities to practice real-world skills during law school, including volunteer work with pro bono programs. I was eager for more opportunities to learn about transactional law outside the classroom, and MCR offers its legal externs the opportunity to do just that.
I’ve loved learning about nonprofit law from experienced practitioners while working for an organization that is deeply connected to the local community.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE, WHICH SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU PICK?
The ability to not be cold! Normally I would say the ability to fly, but I’m from California and this is my first winter in Michigan so some of my priorities have changed.
WHAT DO YOU THINK LAW STUDENTS GET FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES AT MCR?
MCR offers a rare opportunity for law students to gain hands-on experience with transactional legal services work. Externs get to learn about the extensive network of nonprofits in Michigan and forge relationships with their leaders, which I've found to be inspiring and meaningful.
We also get to engage with MCR’s Resource Navigation and development teams, who are incredibly knowledgeable about the business, funding, and community challenges that nonprofits face.
Pictured: Emily Grose attends our Legal Compliance clinic in January 2025.
HOW CAN ATTORNEYS HAVE AN IMPACT AND BE ENGAGED IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR?
Many clients come to MCR because they want to make sure they are following all the legal requirements of operating a nonprofit, but those rules are complex and intimidating.
Pro bono attorneys make a real difference in helping clients feel at ease and ensuring that the organization will have the governance and legal structures in place to continue fulfilling their mission for years to come. The interconnected emotional and practical functions of pro bono legal work seem to make it especially meaningful for all involved.
Organizations like MCR offer fantastic opportunities for attorneys to engage with the nonprofit sector. One of the highlights of my time at MCR has been shadowing a legal compliance clinic, where law firm and in-house pro bono attorneys met with nonprofit leaders to walk through a comprehensive checklist of legal compliance questions.
BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCES, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO AN ATTORNEY WHO ASKED YOU ABOUT DOING PRO BONO WORK?
I would absolutely recommend doing pro bono work to the extent they are able.
Attorneys who engage in pro bono work with local nonprofits can form connections with and learn from community members who are driven, creative, and unwavering in their commitment to serving others. The process of assisting these organizations is often as fulfilling for the person providing legal services as it is helpful for the recipient.
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If you are an attorney and interested in pro bono work that supports community organizations, you can find more information and opportunities to connect with us by reaching out to our Director of Legal Programs mkrasner@mi-community.org.