Change Begins with Community Action

It’s easy to assume societal needs are being taken care of by an organization or someone in a position of power—but that’s not always the case. “Change begins with community action,” says Malcolm Phelan, a Michigan Law student who has spent the last decade working across politics, nonprofits, and tech to better understand the real-life challenges people face and how we can do better. 

The pursuit of a deeper understanding of our institutions led Phelan to Michigan Law. After learning about the critical issues being decided by the Michigan Supreme Court, he built a team of more than 30 law students, ultimately raising $50,000 and sending one million texts to voters to increase awareness about the candidates and the importance of the court. This initiative was supported by Justice for All-Michigan, a political initiative set up to support justices with a demonstrated commitment to a fair and effective justice system.

While clerking for the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel, Phelan visited the Michigan Supreme Court and learned about former Chief Justice Bridget McCormack’s work on court reform. She focused on lowering barriers to justice, especially for low-income Michiganders, through initiatives like the Justice For All Commission.

“Her work inspired me, and I organized a two-day workshop on predatory debt collection in Michigan under the guidance of Michigan Law professors and U-M Poverty Solutions,” he says.

Raising a total of $6,000, the workshop brought together students, faculty, and state and national groups, including the Michigan Poverty Law Program, Detroit Justice Center, Legal Services Corporation, Pew Foundation, and Aspen Institute. This workshop led to legislative advocacy efforts, legal research projects, and broader anti-poverty initiatives that continue today. 

At Michigan Law, Phelan found a community that empowers him to make a real impact.