For Mike Starling, serving on the Shore Legal Access board has been about giving back—using his legal experience to help build something lasting for the community. In this recent interview, Mike reflects on his six years with Shore Legal Access, highlighting the organization’s growth, strong leadership, and expanding impact on the Eastern Shore.

I am a big believer in the mission, and I was eager to use my legal background to do something to help build the community.

Can you share a highlight of your time on the board?

The highlight for me has been the ascendancy of Meredith Girard as executive director, and watching the organization grow under her stewardship. It has been wonderful seeing the organization transform into the go-to place for legal needs on the Eastern Shore and seeing it step into being everything it can be.

What strategic initiatives are you most proud of during your time on the board?

I served on the finance committee for six years, and I am really proud of the work we did to grow the operating budget so that we could become a more professionally staffed organization with benefits. We needed to make these changes to that we could retain quality talent and better serve the community. Size does help get things done, and it needed to grow to meet the needs of the community. 

The name change was another strategic milestone that made the organization much more accessible.

If there was one piece of advice you could share for future board members, what would it be?

Pay attention, be active.

What does the future of Shore Legal Access look like?

Even more deep engagement with the community, expanding services, and meeting needs that haven’t even been identified yet.

We’re grateful for Mike’s dedication and leadership over the years. As he steps off the board, we thank him for his service and wish him all the best in what’s ahead.

Interested in joining the board? Find out what our desired qualifications are and review the nomination process here.