Too often, key court decisions involving the rights of all of Michigan’s citizens are based on narrow legal briefs that focus only on the interests of the litigants. The Mackinac Center’s Legal Studies project addresses this deficiency by providing the courts with amicus curiae — or “friend of the court” — briefs that explore the broader constitutional, statutory and public policy considerations at stake in these cases. In addition, the Legal Studies Project produces legal analysis of state and national policy issues in order to better inform policymakers, the media and the public.