Steve is the founding Director of Michigan Law’s Unemployment Insurance Clinic (UIC) that was established with an University of Michigan Third Century Initiative grant. The UIC is the first in of its kind clinic to marshal 1st year law students to represent unemployed workers in their claim for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Steve and his students in the UIC represent about 350 unemployed workers a year and are responsible for moving about $1 million per year in benefits into needy households and communities. Steve’s 30+ year career as a poverty lawyer has involved both individual and systemic advocacy to make public benefit programs accessible to those who need them most. Most recently Steve’s focus is building a healthy and fair Unemployment Insurance system for Michigan workers.