Become a Contributor
Join Our Network of Contributors
Our volunteer contributors make the work of ICLE possible each year. We are always looking for new ideas, new perspectives, and new voices to bring to the Michigan legal community. If you have expertise or specialize in a particular area and are interested in joining our community of contributors, we would love to hear from you.
Benefits of Contributing
Volunteering for ICLE is a great way to give back to the legal community and to gain exposure for yourself and your firm. ICLE’s products and services are widely used by thousands of practitioners. Our website is visited by more than 2,000 people a week. Check out
this set of Top Tips in Ten Minutes to learn more about all of the benefits.
As a contributor, you are in an elite group of practitioners. You will be featured in print and online content, as applicable, as well as across ICLE’s website and in content marketing avenues such as Facebook. Your photo will also be included in our searchable contributor directory, along with a biography, a list of your current ICLE contributions, and a link to your law firm. Having an ICLE biography helps other lawyers find you and helps you stand out among your peers.
ICLE contributors receive training guides and valuable resources for refining writing and presentation skills, like this great video from expert Rick Lippert on
how to improve your performance on camera. Contributors also benefit from our staff of copyeditors, lawyers, and other professionals who are committed to helping you showcase your expertise.
Ways to Contribute
There are numerous ways to contribute, large and small, and a range of time commitments associated with each contribution. Keep in mind that smaller contributions, such as forms, How-To Kits, or Top Tips in Ten Minutes, have much shorter production cycles than books or seminars. If you have an idea for content, ICLE staff would be happy to talk with you.
Please note that ICLE content development plans depend on what is happening in the courts, the legislature and the practice of law as well as the needs of Michigan lawyers. For that reason, we cannot guarantee that your great idea for a presentation, chapter, or other new content will ultimately become an ICLE resource or provide an opportunity to contribute. However, we are committed to carefully evaluating every contributor and topic suggestion and make every reasonable effort to include proposed contributions in current or future content.
Contributor Qualifications
ICLE is looking for contributors with substantial expertise and practice experience in a particular subject area. We generally look for at least five years of experience but for some of our smaller or more specialized resources that may not be necessary. We welcome contributors with substantive expertise, great presentation skills, and prior writing/speaking experience. We rely on our contributors to help us create great resources for Michigan lawyers in a timely fashion. As a contributor, you will partner with ICLE—you bring the expertise, and we will do all we can to make the experience positive and make your talent shine.
What We Need Right Now
ICLE is actively seeking content in the following specific practice areas: Adoption, Paternity, Debtor-Creditor (including debtor side), Elder Law, Guardianships and Conservatorships, No-Fault, Negligence (dog bite actions), Real Property (Quiet Title actions), and Start-Ups.
Contact Us
When contacting us, it helps to include some information about your suggested topic, what type of contribution you think you might be interested in, and some background about your practice and your speaking/writing experience. Samples are also helpful to help us get a feel for your writing style and areas of expertise.
Contact:
Rebekah Page-Gourley
rebekahp@icle.org
877-229-4350