Making a Difference: Creating or Enhancing Your In-House Pro Bono Programs

Jennifer Lawson, Program Manager, DTE Energy Foundation

Jennifer Lawson is a program manager at the DTE Energy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy. In her role, she manages the Foundation's grantmaking in basic human needs and the environment. She also handles a broad and diverse range of special initiatives focused on advancing the Foundation’s mission. Jennifer has worked for more than ten years in the nonprofit sector and academia, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at local universities. She serves on the boards of the Michigan Association of United Ways and SPEC Associates.

Kim Ray, Pro Bono Committee Chair, Ford

Kim Ray chairs the pro bono committee at Ford Motor Company. She has also represented clients in immigration, family law, tenant defense, and name change petitions, along with clinical work in expungement, driver’s license restoration, estate planning, food stamps, and issues facing veterans. She has traveled to Washington DC, and works locally to advocate for legal services funding. She has held various positions within Ford and Ford Credit over the past twenty years.

Wendy Richards, Principal and Pro Bono Counsel, Miller Canfield

Wendy Richards is a commercial litigator who has worked on numerous multimillion-dollar class actions and other complex matters. She has extensive experience in election law and voting rights and is co-chair of Miller Canfield’s election law group. As the firm's Pro Bono Counsel, she heads the firm’s pro bono program, which has garnered national recognition for taking on high-profile, high-impact cases and was shortlisted as one of the nation's best pro bono programs by the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America.