Amicus - Spring 2015 by MSU Law

M I C H I G A N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y CO L L E G E O F L AW

SPRING 2015

MSU Law Clinics: From Law Students to Lawyers 1

IN THIS ISSUE EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tina Kashat Casoli MANAGING EDITOR Colleen Gehoski Steinman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tina Kashat Casoli Talbot Eckweiler Kelly Kussmaul Sara Long Sheila Pursglove Ann Marie Scholten Colleen Gehoski Steinman PHOTOGRAPHY Joshua Ladd Christopher Mullins Alexis E. Santi Ann Marie Scholton DESIGN Brenda J. Sanborn BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lou Anna K. Simon, President Linda M. Orlans, ’87, Chair Frederick D. Dilley, ’75, Vice Chair Raymond R. Behan, ’60 Elaine Fieldman, ’76 Clifton E. Haley, ’61, President Emeritus Charles A. Janssen Maurice G. Jenkins, ’81 Charles E. Langton, ’87 Douglas Laycock Cary S. McGehee, ’89 Hon. David W. McKeague Richard D. McLellan Colleen M. McNamara Mayer (Mike) Morganroth, ’54 Michael G. Morris, ’81 Bryan T. Newland, ’07 James M. Nicholson Donald Nystrom, ’00 Stacy L. Erwin Oakes, ’01 David L. Porteous Jennifer Poteat, ’04 G. Scott Romney TRUSTEES EMERITI Hon. Marianne O. Battani, ’72 Joseph J. Buttigieg III, ’75 Richard W. Heiss, ’63, President Emeritus (posthumous) Edwin W. Jakeway, ’61 Hon. Norman L. Lippitt, ’60 John D. O’Hair, ’54 Peter J. Palmer, ’68 Kenneth J. Robinson John F. Schaefer, ’69 David J. Sparrow, ’51 (posthumous) Hon. Richard F. Suhrheinrich, ’63, President Emeritus ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD Howard Victor, ’77, President Bryan Melvin, III ’77, President-Elect Octavio Duran, Jr, ’11, Vice President Ronald Estes, ’05, Treasurer Jeffery Sattler, ’08, Secretary Brian Hall, ’07, Parliamentarian PARLIAMENTARIAN BOARD Anthony Becknek, ’11 Daniel Bliss, ’87 Ugo Buzzi, ’08 Sherri Marie Carr, ’07 Mario Cascante, ’10 John Conniff, ’11 Jerome Crawford, ’12 Mallory Field, ’11 Kimberly Gehling, ’11 James Geroux, ’70 Colleen Kelley Gomos, ’07 Beverly Helm, ’80 Aaron Lloyd, ’10 Brian T. Lynch, ’05 David Ottenwess, ’86

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12-15

Passing of President Emeritus Richard W. Heiss Campaign Empower Extraordinary Alumni Profile—Julie Friend Class Action MSU Law Clinics

16 MSU Law Nationwide—Peter Carayiannis 17 Professor Kennedy Retiring 18 Faculty News 18 What They're Saying 19 Student News 20-21 Scholarship News

SPARTANS WILL. Student Profile

Amicus is published by Michigan State University College of Law, Law College Building, 648 N. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824-1300. Reproduction or use, in whole or in part, by any means and without the express written consent of the publisher, is prohibited. Manuscripts, artwork, and photographs are submitted at the sender’s risk; please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope requesting return of material. The magazine and its associated parties and agencies assume no responsibility for unsolicited materials and reserve the right to accept or reject any editorial material. Submission of letters implies the right to reproduce same in magazine. Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of this magazine or the Law College. No article herein shall constitute an endorsement by this magazine, the Law College, or the persons and organizations associated with it. Michigan State University College of Law programs, activities, and facilities shall be available to all without regard to race, color, genetic information, gender identity, religion, national origin, political persuasion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age, or familial status. Neither Michigan State University nor the State of Michigan is liable for any financial obligation incurred by Michigan State University College of Law. The Law College is an independent institution that is not financially supported by MSU or the State.

A Message FROM THE DEAN Welcome to the new Amicus. I hope that you enjoy the newly designed Amicus. Our goal is to keep you connected to your fellow alumni, current faculty, staff, students, and MSU College of Law. We’ve taken your comments to heart and expanded the areas that you especially enjoy reading. Profiles of alumni continue to be a highlight of the publication. Another big change you’re going to see is a third issue, so you don’t have to wait so long between issues. MSU Law has a reputation of working to anticipate changes in the legal industry and prepare our students for the law profession of tomorrow. We want that same dynamic energy reflected in our publications. And it’s not just our publications that are changing. Beginning in the fall, Kenneth Grady, a leading expert on the legal industry and delivering legal services, will teach Legal Service Delivery, part of the expansion of our nationally recognized legal innovation and technology curriculum. As a Lean Law Evangelist for Seyfarth Shaw and former CEO of SeyfarthLean Consulting, Ken brings two decades of experience leading corporate lean innovation and transformation. He is a recognized thought leader on trends impacting the legal profession and an engaging, dynamic teacher. Along with this new course, MSU Law will offer an exceptional array of innovation and technology courses next year, including Quantitative Analysis for Lawyers, Legal Analytics, Design Thinking for Lawyers, E-Discovery, Entrepreneurial Lawyering, and Litigation {Data, Theory, Practice & Process}. No wonder some 3L students have taken to Twitter to say they almost wish they could stay another year. This is why we innovate at MSU Law – to prepare our students better than any others to lead our evolving profession. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Warm Regards,

Joan W. Howarth Dean, Michigan State University College of Law

MSU Law Mourns the Passing of DCL PRESIDENT EMERITUS RICHARD W. HEISS Michigan State University College of Law Dean Joan W. Howarth shared that President Emeritus Richard W. Heiss died January 23, 2015. Heiss was a 1963 graduate of Detroit College of Law and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1972. He served as president of DCL from 1983 to 1994 and was instrumental in the DCL-MSU affiliation. “We worked together exceedingly well,” said Hon. Richard F. Suhrheinrich, ’63, also an emeritus board president. “We had the same mindset and wanted the same things for the law college.” Recently, they collaborated on a book of memoirs from former trustees, particularly those who were part of the transition from DCL to MSU Law. “I am personally very grateful for Dick’s warmth and lifelong commitment to our law school,” Dean Howarth said. President Emeritus Heiss also earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 1952 and completed the Stanford Executive Program in 1979. He served five years in the U.S. Army, including three years in Germany. After his military services, he joined the Manufacturers National Bank in 1957 as assistant trust officer and remained until he retired in 1992. He married Nancy J. Blum on July 21, 1952, who survives him. He is also survived by two sons, five grandchildren, seven greatgrandchildren and two brothers.

Supporting the COLLEGE OF LAW Campaign Empower Extraordinary continues moving forward in support of MSU College of Law. With a goal of $23 million, MSU LAW HAS RAISED MORE THAN $14.5 MILLION. “2014 was a great year for philanthropy,” said Tina Kashat Casoli, director of the Office of Advancement. “The public launch of the campaign last fall created momentum and interest from our alumni and friends. More than 1,500 donors made a gift to MSU Law last year and more than 4,000 donors have supported the campaign to date.” Donors are willing to invest in MSU Law at many levels and for many programs. The Detroit College of Law Plaza and Legacy Scholarship alone has generated interest and raised more than $1 million. The college plans to break ground for the plaza later this year. All alumni and donors will be invited to the dedication when completed, honoring the roots and heritage of DCL. Scholarship support for our students continues to be a priority. Student debt averages about $95,000. MSU Law provides on average $20,000 per student in scholarship support for about 74 percent of the incoming class. Many significant gifts made in 2014 include the Foster Swift Collins & Smith five-year term professorship. Lou Kasischke, ’67, made a $60,000 gift in support of the Detroit College of Law Plaza and Legacy Scholarship. The Kresge Foundation pledged $150,000 in support of the Detroit Food Law Clinic.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT GIFTS OR PLEDGES WERE MADE IN THE LAST QUARTER. THEY INCLUDE: DETROIT COLLEGE OF LAW PLAZA DONORS MRS. CLAUDIA V. BABIARZ, ’84 THE HON. SHARON T. FINCH, ’68 PRES. EMERITUS RICHARD F. SUHRHEINRICH, ’63 AND MRS. BEVERLY J. SUHRHEINRICH MR. AND MRS. DAVID C. STONE, ‘76

INDIGENOUS LAW TRUSTEE BRYAN T. NEWLAND, ‘07 KARRIE S. WICHTMAN, ‘09/ROSETTE, LLP

THE MUNRO FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP MR. ANDREW J. MUNRO, ‘79

TALSKY WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S CENTER LORI E. TALSKY, ‘96 AND ALAN S. ZEKELMAN

DETROIT FOOD LAW CLINIC DEWITT HOLBROOK MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

IN HONOR OF CHARLES TEN BRINK, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR LIBRARY AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND PROFESSOR OF LAW TRUSTEE JENNIFER POTEAT, ’04, CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR

Supporting the

“By diving completely into the work of our client, we get a genuine opportunity to really understand all the areas of law that govern food.”

KRESGE FOUNDATION GIFTS $150,000 FOR FOOD LAW CLINIC

— MSU Food Law Clinic Director Jayesh Patel

As part of the Kresge Foundation’s continuing support for Detroit’s revival, it has granted $150,000 to the MSU Food Law Clinic to help Detroit-area residents, farmers, and entrepreneurs navigate the labyrinth of regulations governing food. Adjunct clinical professor Jayesh Patel, partner at Talati & Patel and president/managing attorney at the legal services nonprofit Street Democracy, directs the Detroit-based clinic. “This semester we have the unique opportunity to work with Eastern Market, the largest open-air produce and food products market in southeast Michigan, to establish a growers’ cooperative that will allow small, local farms to work collectively to meet the food needs of institutions like schools and hospitals,” Patel said.

MSU 3L Joshua Ladd enjoys lettuce grown specifically for burgers.

Patel and his students will draft and file all necessary legal documents. “Next semester, we’ll tackle issues that arose from the first year’s operations,” Patel said. “It’s exciting to be able to offer students an opportunity to develop a complex enterprise from the ground up while working on issues at the cutting edge of food law.”

Jayesh Patel, director of the new MSU Food Law Clinic in Detroit, mapping funding sources and vehicles to various sections of the farm.

COLLEGE OF LAW

“DCL opened the door for me to have a meaningful and successful career.” — Lou Kasischke

Lou Kasischke, ’67, valued the rigor and challenges that were offered by an education from the Detroit College of Law, now Michigan State University College of Law. “DCL opened the door for me to have a meaningful and successful career,” Kasischke said. “The faculty and adjunct faculty taught me to set my goals high and to think differently as one day I would be helping solve people’s biggest problems. Law school took a totally different approach to learning.” As an undergraduate at MSU, Kasischke took a business law class his senior year which hooked him on the law. His MSU counselor suggested DCL since at that time it had the highest bar passage rates, and “the faculty put strong emphasis on practical readiness.” He developed a passion for learning while in law school and thrived on the way the faculty challenged him on the everyday life problems lawyers face, the dreaded dilemmas, and how to think clearly and analytically. DCL also taught him how to get along with others and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

ALUM PASSIONATE FOR DCL; Shows Thanks With Gift

A self-made man, Kasischke worked for more than 30 years as a specialist in both tax and corporate law with Dykema Gossett. Kasischke’s career has not been limited to law. As a businessman, he also worked as a venture capital advisor and chief executive officer. “Lou is a gracious and generous man,” MSU Law Dean Joan W. Howarth said. “We are glad to have him involved and supportive of this important project that recognizes MSU Law’s roots.” Kasischke has scaled about 40 of the world’s major mountains, including six of the seven summits, the highest mountains on each continent. He was also a survivor of the infamous 1996 Mount Everest disaster, and has recounted the event in his book, After the Wind. The book details the account of his climb to the top of Mount Everest on May 10, 1996, where eight climbers died. Kasischke tells the harrowing story of what went wrong, his personal story, and reveals the love story that saved his life. For more information about the book go to www.afterthewind.com.

Through a $60,000 gift for the Detroit College of Law Plaza and Legacy Scholarship, Kasischke is helping honor the heritage and history of DCL.

Supporting the COLLEGE OF LAW “I’m grateful to Foster Swift for recognizing the importance of investing in our faculty.”

ALUMNI PROFILE

KEEPING

— Dean Howarth

Foster Swift Creates MSU Law FIVE YEAR PROFESSORSHIP OF LEGAL ETHICS The law firm Foster Swift Collins & Smith is providing financial support to create and name the Foster Swift Professor of Legal Ethics for a five-year term. This professorship will be held by Professor Renee Newman Knake, co-director of the Kelley Institute of Ethics and the Legal Profession. “It’s vital that our students be taught by the best legal minds so they are prepared to take on the challenges of the evolving legal profession,” Dean Joan Howarth said. The gift is part of Empower Extraordinary, the law college's capital campaign to raise $23 million including $5 million for recruiting and retaining talented faculty members. Professor Knake’s teaching and scholarship focus on the ethical and regulatory structures which govern the practice of law. She is particularly interested in ways lawyer regulation can be liberalized to expand access to justice for the public. “I’m very appreciative of this honor from Foster Swift,” Knake said. “Their contribution acknowledges the importance of legal ethics to the law school curriculum, a subject which is central to my teaching and scholarship here at the law college as well as my service to the profession.”

Julie Anne Friend, ’07

International TRAVELERS SAFE An MSU Law degree has helped Julie Anne Friend, ’07, create a whole new career path – for herself and others. Friend was appointed as a technical advisor to the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) in 2008 while working with the MSU Office of Study Abroad, one of only three such positions in the country. Her scholarship and advocacy on emergency planning and response have contributed to the development of professional standards in the field. The MSU U.S. State Department Travel Warning policy, one of the first of its kind, is considered a national benchmark. In 2013, she published the nation’s first written guidance on responding to a student death abroad. Friend now represents Northwestern University on the council, which provides information, resources, and analysis pertaining to international health, legal, safety, and security issues concerning non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based groups, and university students, faculty members, and researchers abroad. She was honored in November by OSAC, a division of The Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the U.S. Department of State, with its Technical Advisor Achievement Award in recognition of her national leadership in addressing security and safety issues affecting academics traveling in high-risk areas around the globe. Friend said the award permits a heightened understanding of the vast complement of international travel and sets the stage for better coordination between non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, and academia to keep travelers safe and mitigate risk. “The traditional assumption that university-sponsored travel is not high-risk still exists, but the truth is that most colleges and universities offer a wide variety of educational opportunities ranging from study abroad programs to service learning projects, research and (medical or veterinary students) providing health care,” she said. “Sometimes these activities occur in places of heightened risk."

Photo credit: Alexis E. Santi in Beersheba, Israel.

An expert in travel security risk management and emergency response training for higher education, non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations.

Director of global safety and security for Northwestern University, she is on call 24/7 as a first responder for international emergencies involving Northwestern students, faculty, and staff members.

CLASS

1960s

Moore

Lippitt

TRUSTEE EMERITUS NORMAN L. LIPPITT, ’60, of Birmingham-based Lippitt O’Keefe Gornbein was selected as a “2015 Leader in the Law,” from Michigan Lawyers Weekly, recognizing his honorable and distinguished career.

November 4, 2014, as state representative of the 36th District, which covers the townships of Shelby, Washington, Bruce, and the Village of Romeo, Michigan.

1970s

2000s

McKeen & Associates announced the addition of attorney NORMAN H. ROSEN, ’71, as Of Counsel. Rosen has specialized in medical malpractice cases for more than 40 years. His expertise also includes birth trauma and wrongful death. During his career, he has obtained recoveries for his clients in excess of $200 million. Prior to joining McKeen & Associates, Rosen was a member of Erlich, Rosen, Bartnick & Cook in Southfield. The Birmingham resident is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, indicating he has reached the highest level of excellence, ethics, and integrity.

CAMERON MONTI, ’01, has joined the Chicago

DIANE FEMMININEO, ’79, recently retired as a referee of the Macomb County Circuit Court, Family Division, Juvenile.

KATHERINE A. CROWLEY, ’04, was recently

SCOTT D. MOORE, ’79, just finished his third

Cowan

term as mayor for the city of Birmingham, Michigan. Moore is an attorney, a certified mediator, and a former teacher. He was recognized in 2012 for Achievement in Leadership Excellence by the National League of Cities.

Lucido

Langton

1980s Attorney DENNIS G. COWAN, ’84 of Plunkett Cooney was among the featured speakers at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2015 Detroit Policy Conference in February. A partner in the firm’s Transactional Law and Banking Law practice groups, Cowan participated in a panel discussion, titled: “Connecting the Region – Transit Development in the ‘D’.” Cowan has extensive experience as a public official having served on the Royal Oak City Commission for 14 years, including four-consecutive terms as mayor. He dealt with new public transportation matters as an elected official.

Reister

Crowley

LISA LANGTON, ’88, was elected to the bench

THE HON. PETER J. LUCIDO, ’88, was elected

as 6th Circuit Court judge. She oversees 400 employees, manages a $68 million budget, and trains new judges that come into the division. Langton worked for 10 years in private practice before coming to the Circuit Court 16 years ago.

office of the law firm Howard & Howard as partner in the Business & Corporate Law and Taxation Practice Groups. He has a specialty in handling federal and state taxation, tax controversy, tax audits, corporate and business law, buy-sell agreements, shareholder agreements, employment law, separation and employment agreements, not-for-profit organizations, commercial lending and litigation, mergers and acquisitions, tax restructuring, and commercial real estate, medical cannabis law, and park district law.

named one of Michigan’s “Rising Stars” by Super Lawyers Magazine. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, the American Defense Trial Counsel, the Oakland County Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute. Crowley is also a partner in Collins Einhorn Farrell’s nationally recognized mass-tort defense group.

STEPHEN T. MAHAN, ’04, has joined Quinn Law Group, an intellectual property firm in Novi, Michigan. He secures protection for clients’ intellectual property by preparing and prosecuting patent applications and related efforts. His technical focus includes both automotive and non-automotive components and systems related to controls, electromechanical devices, manufacturing systems, and other technologies.

MATTHEW PAKULA, ’05, was elected to the board of directors for the Student Press Law Center (SPLC). The group works to educate high school and college journalists about the rights and responsibilities embodied in the First Amendment and supports members of student news media as they seek to cover important issues free from censorship. SPLC conducts workshops on media law developments across the country and provides free legal research and educational materials for student journalists and their teachers on its website.

speaker pro tempore of the Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan House Republican Caucus announced November 6, 2014. Leonard, a DeWitt Township Republican representing all of Clinton and most of Gratiot counties, will be second-in-line in leadership of the 63-47 majority.

JACOB P. WOOLBRIGHT, ’09, has become a shareholder at Howard & Howard Attorneys. Woolbright concentrates his practice on intellectual property law for clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. He focuses his practice on intellectual property procurement, technologyrelated transactions, and opinion preparation, with an emphasis on patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law.

2010s STACI R. DEREGNAUCOURT, ’11, of Quinn Law Group has been recognized by World Trademark Review for inclusion in its 2015 edition of WTR 1000 – World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, the only stand-alone ranking publication to focus exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners.

participated in an admissions ceremony held in Mount Clemens for law school graduates with ties to Macomb County who passed the July bar examination.

Friend Leonard

COLLEEN M. GARLICK, ’14, has joined Connecticut-based Neubert, Pepe & Monteith as an associate attorney. She will be part of the firm’s Professional Malpractice & Liability Defense, Hospital & Medical Liability Defense and Litigation & Appeals practice groups. RACHEL A. HUTTON, ’14, has been named an associate attorney at Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller, a Southfield, Michigan-based law firm. Hutton is a member of the firm’s Corporate and Employment Practice Group. She focuses her practice on corporate, employment, and real estate matters.

Loprest

THE HON. TOM LEONARD, ’07, will be

ANTHONY DECLERCQ, ’14, recently

JANINA OLIVERO-JONES, ’14, recently participated in an admissions ceremony held in Mount Clemens for law school graduates with ties to Macomb County who passed the July bar examination. Do you have a career update or professional accomplishment you would like to share or feature in the next Amicus? Submit your news to www.law.msu.edu/ amicus/alumni-notes.php or email amscholt@law.msu.edu.

Garlick

November 2014 by the U.S. Department of State with its Technical Advisor Achievement Award in recognition of her national leadership in addressing security and safety issues affecting academics traveling in high-risk areas around the globe. See page 8.

MEGAN M. PIROOZ, ’12, has joined Goldberg Kohn, a Chicago-based law firm, as an associate in the firm’s Commercial Finance Group. Pirooz’s practice focuses on the representation of financial institutions in structuring, negotiating, and documenting asset-based and cash-flow loan transactions.

Pirooz

JULIE A. FRIEND, ’07, was honored in

Academy, Sandhurst. The Overseas Sword is awarded to the overseas officer cadet considered by the commandant to be the best of the intake. Prior to Sandhurst, Loprest commissioned into the U.S. Army from officer candidate school in Fort Bennington, Georgia.

Woolbright

NICK REISTER, ‘05, is an attorney and shareholder of the law firm of Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge. He practices in the areas of trusts, estates and business from the firm’s Grand Rapids, Michigan, office. In January 2015, Reister was appointed as co-chair of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group, and he also leads the firm’s Agriculture & Agribusiness Industry Team. In November 2014, Reister was awarded the “Up & Coming Lawyer” award by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and in September 2014, he was chosen as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine.

OFFICER CADET MATTHEW JAMES LOPREST, ’11, was awarded The Overseas Sword

Hutton

from Michael Fallon, the secretary of state for defense, representing Queen Elizabeth II at the graduation ceremony of The Royal Military

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MSU LAW C L I N I C S: FROM LAW STUDENTS TO LAWYERS

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Law students at Michigan State College of Law will find real clients with real cases. Clinics are electives, yet many students consider the experience invaluable. Current MSU Law students have: •H elped an inmate who has spent 23 hours a day for 13 years in administrative segregation get a hearing to be allowed back into the general prison population •P revented families from being evicted and becoming homeless •H elped parents regain visitation with their children •O btained disability benefits for parents who adopted a special needs child •H elped an elderly woman obtain financial support to pay back the rent she owed •H elped immigrants remain legally in the United States and secure citizenship •A rgued a case before the Michigan Tax Tribunal about property tax exemptions “Clinics play a unique role in students’ legal education by placing them in the position to represent clients and that is ultimately what lawyers do – serve clients,” said David Thronson, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law.

continued on page 14

Sarah Khoury, ’15 Bryan Rimmke, ’08 TAX LAW CLINIC

As a student in the tax clinic, I did a lot of actual, hands-on work. The clinic allowed me to work directly with clients on real cases, under the close supervision of the professors.

IMMIGRATION CLINIC

It has been by far the best experience I’ve had at MSU. I assisted clients to obtain permanent residency in the United States. I was able to appear before a judge and better my client communication and advocacy skills. 13

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MSU Law students work with clinical faculty to research legal issues, take depositions, write motions and briefs, negotiate settlements, and argue cases and appeals in courtrooms. In early February, 3L student Anna Stephens argued a prisoners’ rights case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The case involved whether all parties in a civil rights action brought by a federal inmate should appear by videoconferencing. “It’s a more engaging aspect of learning law,” Stephens said, “mostly because we’re invested in the real outcome of the case.” Also in February, 3L David Loudon argued a motion for summary judgment for a first amendment case where a prisoner was denied access to kosher-vegan meals for approximately two years. This argument was presented to U.S. Magistrate Judge Green, United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan and partial summary judgment granted to the prisoner. Loudon, who has already accepted a position as a law clerk in Indianapolis, says the opportunity to work on all aspects of the case helped him stand out in the competitive job market. “It’s great training if you want to do litigation, which I do,” he said. Daniel E. Manville, director of the Civil Rights Clinic, recalls an employer who contacted him to confirm that a student interviewing for a job actually had experience arguing a federal court of appeals case. “Working a case, doing discovery, and trying the case definitely gives you an advantage,” Manville said. “How many lawyers in a big firm for five years can say that they have argued in a federal circuit court of appeals? A medium or large firm would not allow them to do that. My students have that opportunity.”

Kimberly Gehling, ’11 CHANCE AT CHILDHOOD CLINIC

In the Chance at Childhood law and social work clinic, I gained invaluable hands-on experience working on guardianship, child custody, and placement issues with a student partner from the master of social work program.

Nathan Reitner, ’15 PLEA AND SENTENCING CLINIC

The clinic experience was truly amazing. I interacted with actual clients and practiced what I had learned in school even before I received my JD. Additionally, because I took the plea and sentencing clinic, I was able to learn about an area of criminal law that is one of the most important for our pleabased criminal system.

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Dorian George, ’13 CIVIL RIGHTS CLINIC

he civil rights clinic T allowed me to make meaningful change when I made closing arguments in a federal court case that led to inmates in Michigan being able to call over 150 foreign countries, when they had previously only been allowed to call North America and a handful of U.S. territories.

Antoinette “Toni” Conrad, ’15 CONFLICT RESOLUTION CLINIC

I was able to get certified as a mediator through this clinic, and I co-mediated with both my colleagues and experienced mediators in small claims cases. I have also been able to apply my clinic experience to family law and research how mediation can be provided in custody disputes.

MSU Law students work directly with clients in our clinics, gaining hands-on experience while offering valuable services to the community. CIVIL RIGHTS

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

CRIMINAL LAW

FAMILY LAW

FIRST AMENDMENT

CIVIL RIGHTS CLINIC Students work in teams to represent prisoners whose constitutional rights have been violated. MSU Law students have successfully tried cases before federal judges. CONFLICT RESOLUTION CLINIC Students mediate civil cases for courts throughout Michigan. They work with clinical faculty to learn how to facilitate problem solving between parties. PLEA & SENTENCING/CRIMINAL LAW CLINIC Students work directly with the State Appellate Defender Office to represent indigent criminal defendants. The cases seek to reduce clients’ court costs or appeal sentences.

FOOD LAW

HOUSING LAW

IMMIGRATION LAW

CHANCE AT CHILDHOOD/FAMILY LAW CLINIC Law students and social work students help families whose children are involved in the court system. Students file court documents and appear in court to address custody and guardianship disputes, child support issues, and child protective services cases.

LOW INCOME TAX PAYER

FIRST AMENDMENT LAW CLINIC The clinic provides education and representation to student journalists facing issues such as censorship, copyright infringement, freedom of information, and invasion of privacy challenges. Since 2011, the clinic has reached about 3,000 student journalists.

INVESTMENT LAW

FOOD LAW CLINIC Now based in Detroit, the clinic helps farmers and entrepreneurs navigate the labyrinth of regulations governing food law. The team is currently working with the Eastern Market to establish a growers’ cooperative. HOUSING LAW CLINIC Students help between 400 and 500 Michigan residents each semester with housing-related issues, including eviction diversion, rental disputes, and housing discrimination. The students offer information, outreach, and legal representation. IMMIGRATION LAW CLINIC Students help immigrants to resolve residency issues, representing them in immigration court to obtain asylum, permanent residency, and U.S. citizenship. Clients include unaccompanied children and teens who face removal proceedings, as well as refugees and domestic violence survivors. ALVIN L. STORRS LOW-INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC Students work with low-income taxpayers who are in controversy with the IRS. They represent clients in claims and appeals before tax court and the IRS. The Tax Clinic connects with rural clients through outreach programs. INVESTOR ADVOCACY CLINIC Students represent small-scale investors who suffered losses due to misconduct by their financial advisors. In the past year, clinicians have recovered nearly $100,000 15 for their clients.

M S U L AW I N T E R N AT I O N A L

INNOVATION AT WORK: Financial Times of London Honors MSU Law Grad Peter Carayiannis, ’96, sees the roots of MSU Law’s innovative curriculum in the history that came from the Detroit College of Law. Carayiannis was a member of the first graduating class to have Michigan State University on his diploma. After starting classes with the Detroit College of Law, he finished law school as a graduate of a Big Ten university and embraced the growth that his degree gave him. He’s remained one of the leading practitioners to embrace new business models. After working with a national Canadian law firm, he developed a solo freelance-style law business in 2004 and formed Conduit Law in 2012. The firm was recognized in 2014 by the Financial Times of London in the Business of Law category as the second most innovative law firm in Canada and fourth overall. The publication specifically highlighted the firm’s 40 percent cost savings for clients.

It’s no surprise that the ReInvent Law Laboratory came out of the genetic infrastructure where I studied law,” he explained. “The Detroit College of Law was a very hands-on environment. The faculty encouraged it, promoted and required it.” Conduit Law attorneys are embedded in the firm’s corporate clients, where they provide on-demand general counsel services. Instead of focusing on billable hours, Conduit Law works on a fixed fee basis, decided up front. Clients welcome this approach. Every invoice includes the Client Value Adjustment Line that allows clients to adjust the bill to reflect their satisfaction and the value they received. “Two clients added a bonus to the invoice because they were pleased with the result,” Carayiannis said. “At law school we are taught the ‘attorneyclient’ relationship, placing the lawyer first in the relationship. At Conduit Law, the client comes first and we speak about the ‘client-attorney’ relationship.” 16

RETIRING

PROFESSOR KEVIN KENNEDY to Retire In 1987, Professor Kevin Kennedy returned to his home state

Court of International Trade in New York and a trial attorney

to join the Detroit College of Law, moving from St. Thomas

for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC, where

University Law School in Miami, Florida, where he was an

he was responsible for international trade litigation.

assistant professor. He’s been here ever since, teaching an

In addition to his time in the classroom, Professor Kennedy has conducted international trade training

subjects each semester. With student

Law has been very good to me,” sessions in China, Egypt, Nigeria, and said Professor Kennedy from his Uganda; has consulted for governments of

counts ranging from as low as 10 to as high as

mountain home in Colorado.

Kenya, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka; and was a

90 in each course, he’s taught hundreds, if not

“But I’m moving on to, if not

foreign legal consultant in South Korea.

bigger and better things,

He has written more than 50 law review

average of four courses in diverse

thousands, of lawyers over the years. He’s retiring at the end of the year.

definitely different things.”

“Law has been very good to me,” said Professor Kennedy from his mountain home in Colorado. “But I’m moving on to, if not bigger and better things, definitely different things.” He intends to turn his attention to new pursuits – woodworking, skiing, and hiking in the mountains with his dogs Boomer and Madigan. He earned an LLM from Harvard Law School, a JD from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Prior to his academic career, Professor Kennedy was in private

articles and book chapters, a casebook, a monograph, and co-authored an

international trade law treatise. In 2008 he was awarded a Fulbright grant to teach in Sri Lanka. He is one of the few academics to serve as a NAFTA Chapter 19 binational dispute settlement panelist, he said. He says one of the most gratifying parts of his career was teaching the evening division courses at DCL. “The evening students were older, very focused, and had been around the block,” he explained. “Most of them were working, and they all worked very hard to be in those classes. The demographics are different now and the classroom has a very different dynamic.”

practice in Hawaii before serving as a law clerk at the U.S. 17

FAC U LT Y N E W S

IMMIGRATION LAW CLINIC Recognized for Diversity Contributions IMMI

GRAT

ION

LAW

meaningful engagement with clients and the community.”

This award acknowledges the link between the

The Immigration Law Clinic was nominated as a team, and five clinic staff members were recognized for their contributions:

amazing educational experience that students

Jesse Alvarez, Office Manager

have and their meaningful

Lauren Aronson, Teaching Fellow

engagement with clients

Elinor Jordan, Supervising Attorney

and the community.”

Joanna Kloet, Supervising Attorney Veronica Tobar Thronson, Immigration Law Clinic Director

— Professor Veronica Thronson Michigan State University College of Law’s Immigration Law Clinic has received an Excellence in Diversity Award (EIDA) from Michigan State University. EIDA winners represent initiatives that are “outstanding, exceptional, extraordinary and innovative in areas such as teaching, research, programs, services and community outreach,” according to the EIDA Selection Committee. Since 1990, the EIDA has rewarded efforts that support an oncampus environment where diversity and inclusion are valued. “It is exciting to see the work of our students recognized throughout the university,” said Veronica Tobar Thronson, director and co-founder of the Immigration Law Clinic. “In particular, this award acknowledges the link between the amazing educational experience that students have and their

“Their outstanding and tireless work to serve immigrant populations is above and beyond all expectations in scope and quality,” said Joan W. Howarth, dean of MSU Law. “This team has created an atmosphere and workplace that welcomes and values the diverse people it serves. Through the clinic, our students learn the importance of honoring diversity in their approach to the practice of law.” The Immigration Law Clinic’s faculty and student clinicians have represented clients from 69 countries. Since its establishment in 2010, they have succeeded in obtaining lawful permanent residency status for 126 clients. Clients have included unaccompanied children, families seeking to reunite across borders, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, asylum seekers, and refugees. The clinic also serves the community through education and outreach efforts.

W H AT T H E Y ’ R E S AY I N G MSU Law faculty and administrators are highly-regard experts in many different fields of study. Here are some of the most recent quotes appearing in media from MSU Law experts. “ We never have much trouble placing our alums in Indian law jobs if they want to do that work. It's a hugely growing field.” — Matthew L.M. Fletcher " …We stress grades, because we believe the best predictor (of bar passage) is course grades. That's true for our law school, and it's true for any other law school I know about." — Dean Joan W. Howarth 18

“ Asked & Answered: Matthew L.M. Fletcher on Indigenous Law” Oakland County Legal News January 29, 2015

“ Bar exam pass rates test Cooley” Crain’s Detroit Business December 7, 2014

“ Prudent policy and fealty to the Constitution are more important than an obsolete bee in President Truman’s bonnet.” — Brian Kalt

“ MSU Law actively recruits STEM students. These students are in demand as patent lawyers and in high-tech areas; their skills differentiate them from other candidates in a growing number of areas.” — Daniel W. Linna Jr

“ Op-Ed: A better line to the Oval Office” Los Angeles Times January 11, 2015

“ 2015’s Best and Worst Metro Areas of STEM Professionals” WalletHub.com January 14, 2015

STUDENT NEWS

NYSTROM, ’00 GIVES BACK to Law Review Students at Annual Reception Donald Nystrom, ’00, was the special guest and keynote speaker for the Michigan State Law Review Annual Alumni and Student Reception on Thursday, February 26.

People want to be a part of something successful and one thing that has been so exciting about the move to East Lansing is that we are

Nystrom, CEO of the private equity company Dynamic Industrial Group and an MSU Law trustee, graduated as a member of the first class to spend all three years in the current law college building. He was attracted to the school in part due to its extensive alumni network in the state. Nystrom’s father and uncle are also Detroit College of Law graduates. At the end of his second year in law school, Nystrom was elected editor of the Michigan State Law Review and worked hard to raise the publication’s profile. The Michigan State Law Review honors its current members whose articles will be published in upcoming issues of the journal. They also recognize alumni who are dedicated to continuing excellence in the legal community.

part of a spectacular campus with a lot of resources and a growing

MSU Law Review students with Don Nystrom and Professor Daniel Barnhizer

successful student body. When alumni give back financially or with their time, everyone benefits. Their time and philanthropy will allow students the experience that they wouldn’t have otherwise.” — Don Nystrom

SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

YOUR GIFTS IN ACTION Twice a year, MSU College of Law awards donor-funded scholarships to deserving law students. With an average student debt load of more than $95,000, scholarship support continues to be extremely important in minimizing student debt. Without the help of generous alumni and friends, our students would be more challenged to achieve their dreams.

Adam de Bear, 3L

Erin Sweeney, 3L MSU LAW REVIEW SCHOLARSHIP As a member of the MSU Law Review, Erin Sweeney is part of a student organization that provides the legal community with a high quality, practical, and scholarly legal research periodical four times a year. This donor-funded scholarship rewards one of its members with a scholarship to help reduce debt and recognize the student’s achievements.

" By lowering my student debt burden, the Law Review Scholarship will enable me to pursue career options that enrich my law practice experience. Reduced pressure to seek immediate financial gain translates to greater job freedom, an inestimable gift to a newly-minted lawyer with effects that can span decades. I truly appreciate the investment that donors to the Law Review Scholarship have made in my career.” — Erin Sweeney, 3L

Rachel Arment, 3L IRA & BENJAMIN ALPERT FOUNDATION FOR MYRON & DORIS ALPERT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP The Ira & Benjamin Alpert Foundation has been a generous donor to MSU College of Law. Giving back to support a current student was meaningful to Benjamin Alpert, DCL Class of 1914, during his lifetime, which is why the foundation is making this gift. This year, MSU College of Law awarded two recipients, Rachel Arment and Shelly May Forrester, both 3L students.

“ I have had significant concerns about the affordability of tuition, bar prep, and the cost of living going in to my last semester at MSU Law. This scholarship is such a blessing and will help the financial burden of school so that I may shift the focus towards academic success and legal opportunity.” — Rachel Arment, 3L

Cortenous Herbert, 3L ALTON T. DAVIS MOOT COURT SCHOLARSHIP Students who are in good standings of the MSU Law Moot Court Program and with financial need may apply for the Alton T. Davis Scholarship. This year’s winners are Cortenous Herbert and Calvin Boyd.

“ It is an honor to receive this scholarship. Next semester in my externship in D.C., the cost of living will increase dramatically. With this scholarship, I will have funds to purchase groceries, pay for transportation, and still be able to network.” — Cortenous Herbert, 3L

OTHER DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS DISTRIBUTED INCLUDE: JACKSON LEWIS LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW SCHOLARSHIP Lilyan Talia, 3L Cameron Day, 3L DONALD AND EDNA CASTLE AWARD Callum Morris, 1L PROFESSOR ALVIN L. STORRS LOW INCOME TAX CLINIC SCHOLARSHIP Anthony Konkol, 3L RUSSELL AND SUE ELLEN BUYERS SCHOLARSHIP Shannon Rozell, 1L

Corey McPherson, 3L MSU COLLEGE OF LAW FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP The MSU College of Law faculty understands the financial burden of law school. Every fall the Faculty Scholarship is awarded to the students who have a strong work ethic and demonstrate financial need. This year, the winners of the MSU College of Law Faculty Scholarship are Corey McPherson and Adam de Bear.

" The impact of the MSU Law Faculty Scholarship goes further than a financial contribution. Although this helps me get through my final semester with less stress about my financial position, the real impact comes in the form of recognition. The weight of law school can be a heavy burden, but every now and then you are gifted opportunities to remember why you chose to walk through those doors. This scholarship has given me that opportunity." — Corey McPherson, 3L “ Being selected as the recipient of the MSU College of Law Faculty Scholarship helps out tremendously. As a third-year law student, passing the bar exam is something that is regularly on my mind, and it is no secret that the bar review courses are expensive. I will definitely designate this award money for the tuition of my bar exam prep course; this is a great help!” — Adam de Bear, 3L

Benjamin Krinke, 3L JOHN R. GRACE LAW REVIEW SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship was created in memory of John R. Grace by his family who wanted to give back to the community and help others in need. The John R. Grace Law Review Scholarship was awarded to Benjamin Krinke.

“ The John R. Grace Law Review Scholarship will help alleviate the cost of tuition for my last semester of law school at Michigan State. In addition to the financial relief, the scholarship will also serve as a reminder of the importance of using one’s skills to contribute to the wellbeing of other students, co-workers, and the community.” — Benjamin Krinke, 3L

PROFESSOR MICHELE LAFOREST HALLORAN ENDOWED CLINIC SCHOLARSHIP Anthony Konkol, 3L JEAN P. CARL SCHOLARSHIP Belinda Tanner, 1L RICK AND RAJ WIENER DCL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Julia Opiela, 3L MICHAEL BERRY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Ali Hashem, 1L HAROLD AND MARION GORDON SCHOLARSHIP Garret Koger, 1L CHICAGO AREA ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP Matthew Peterson, 3L Jewell Briggs, 2L TRUSTEE ELAINE FIELDMAN BAR EXAM SCHOLARSHIP Julia Opiela, 3L MSU COLLEGE OF LAW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP Donna Musolli, 1L Brenna Jardine, 1L 21

I’ll use my legal skills to enable low-income parents in Detroit to become advocates for their children.” — Erin Hankins Diaz, ‘15

MSU Law Student EARNS PRESTIGIOUS FELLOWSHIP Erin Hankins Diaz, ’15, is no stranger to working with children and for children. She came to MSU Law after teaching inner-city elementary schoolchildren in Chicago and Los Angeles, and she knows firsthand that children with disabilities often don’t get the resources they need to succeed in the classroom. Diaz came to law school with a plan: to combine her knowledge of the educational system with legal problem-solving skills to help disabled children get an appropriate public education. And that’s exactly what she’s doing. Diaz was recently awarded a Skadden Fellowship to fund two years of work as a public interest attorney. She is among an elite group of 28 third-year law students from across the nation selected to spend two years to representing disadvantaged populations. Diaz will spend the next two years advocating for the educational needs of low-income Detroit families whose children have disabilities. “I’m passionate about ensuring that all children have access to an appropriate education, so they can reach their potential,” she explains. Diaz will work with Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services in Detroit, a location that hits close to home for MSU Law. “Public education in Detroit has not yet turned around,” said MSU Law Professor Kristi Bowman. “Erin’s project will pay off for years by helping ensure the success of vulnerable students, keeping them in school, and making it more likely that they graduate and become productive members of our society.”

WHO WILL? SPARTANS WILL.

“It’s a great honor for Erin, as well as for MSU Law,” adds MSU Law Dean Joan Howarth. “Her important work exemplifies our commitment to community service.”

WHO ARE SKADDEN FELLOWS? The highly-selective fellowship program, described as “a legal Peace Corps,” provides funding for law grads who will devote their professional lives to representing the poor, the elderly, the homeless, and the disabled. Fellows design and execute their own public interest projects with sponsoring organizations. 23

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

East Lansing Michigan Permit No. 21

Law College Building 648 N. Shaw Lane, Room 320 East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1300

FEBRUARY 24

SAVE THE DATE

the

2015

Congratulations

to the MSU Law moot court team of Ashley Chrysler, Crystal Bultje, and Ashley Byers!

National ABA Appellate Advocacy Court Champions! Read more at www.law.msu.edu COMING UP:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GOLF OUTING FOREST AKERS WEST, EAST LANSING

Detroit College of Law & Michigan State University College of Law

Friday, August 28, 2015 Tiger Club at Comerica Park 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Past, Present and Future Class Reunion Celebration

All alumni are invited to attend. Special recognition will be given to the Detroit College of Law and MSU College of Law classes of 1955 and earlier, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010. For more information or to volunteer as a host and encourage classmates to attend, contact the Office of Advancement at 517-432-6840 or alumni@law.msu.edu.