Wayne Law News

Members of the Wayne Law Class of 2004 gathered for a 10th Reunion on Nov. 29 at the Detroit Historical Museum and Circa Saloon.

Wayne Law’s state bar exam passage rate continues to climb, with 81 percent of first-time test-takers who took the exam in July passing.

Sometimes, even if you don’t win the civil rights lawsuit you’re litigating, you further justice anyway, said Alice Jennings, '78.

Seven of the 30 Michigan attorneys on the 2014 Up & Coming Lawyers list recently released by Michigan Lawyers Weekly are Wayne Law alumni.

Wayne Law's Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic was recognized by preLaw magazine as one of the nation's top 15 most-innovative law school clinics.

Attorney Nick Roumel was enjoying Greek food before he could talk, and cooking it – and other dishes – with expertise by the time he earned his law degree from Wayne Law in 1984.

Wayne Law has announced its intent to expand a successful pilot program that provides free legal support to military service members, veterans and the family members of both.

"Women in the Law" was the topic of an Alumni Speaker Series event Nov. 5 at Wayne Law.

Rick Kaplan, former president for CNN – U.S. and MSNBC and winner of 47 Emmys and dozens of other journalism awards, spoke Nov. 19 at Wayne State University.

Labor law attorney Jack Schulz, '13, is pretty sure his application to the Michigan State Bar was among "the most laughable of all times."

Twenty-six leaders from local organizations working in different ways for racial equality gathered Nov. 1 for the first cohort meeting of the Detroit Equity Action Lab at Wayne Law's Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights.

“A Convention for Crimes Against Humanity” was the topic of Leila Sadat’s talk Nov. 11 at Wayne Law. 

The history and modern significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the focus of a Wayne Law program marking the legislation’s 50th anniversary year.

“Modern Policing and the Community” was the topic of a panel discussion Nov. 20 at Wayne Law.

Wayne Law Professor Stephen Calkins is a member of Ireland’s new Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Thirty-two students competed Nov. 7 in the first-ever transactional law competition at Wayne Law.

Wayne Law students James Buster and Ameena Sheikh-Walczak won the Wayne Law Moot Court’s Arthur Neef Competition Finals on Nov. 18.

Wayne Law students, faculty and staff voted through holiday charity donations for which lucky professor would wear a hideous holiday sweater for an entire day of teaching. 

Upcoming Events

Dec. 3 - Celebrating the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Dec. 8 - Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion Special Evening with Judge Damon J. Keith: Crusader for Justice

More Events

Alumni Accomplishments

Joel Bowers, '07, was elected a partner in the South Bend, Ind., office of Barnes & Thornburg. He is a member of the firm's Environmental and Litigation Departments.

Anna Budde, '96, joined Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn as a partner in its Intellectual Property Department in Ann Arbor.

Linda Burwell, '85, reported that her firm, National Employment Counsel PLLC, was recognized as a tier-one law firm by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in its 2015 list of "Best Law Firms" in the category of employment law. She was selected individually for inclusion in the 21st edition of the Best Lawyers in America 2015 for the areas of employment law - management, labor law - management, and litigation - labor and employment in late August. She also was recognized by her peers as a Leading Lawyer in employment law: management and labor law: management and named a 2015 DBusiness Top Lawyer in September.

Patrick Conlin Jr., '97, of Keusch Flintoft & Conlin PC was elected to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

Michelle Crockett, '00, rejoined Miller Canfield as director of professional development, a new position at the firm focused on human capital. She also has resumed her labor and employment law practice.

Kreuza Gjezi, '07, has joined Southfield-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss PC as an associate in the firm's Immigration and Litigation Department. Gjezi will represent individuals, families and businesses worldwide in front of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration Customs and Enforcement, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of State and federal court.

Rachel Helton, '00, was elected to a six-year term on the Trenton school board.

Marilyn Kelly, '71, was elected to the Wayne State University Board of Governors.

Kay Kress, '86, of Pepper Hamilton was elected to a three-year term as chair of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association. 

Sarah Lincoln, '00, assistant Calhoun County prosecutor, was elected to a six-year term as a 37th Circuit Court judge. She is the first woman elected to the court in more than 50 years.

Kaitlyn Morin, '14, joined Warner Norcross & Judd LLP.

Patricia Nemeth, '84, reported that her firm, Nemeth Law PC, was recognized as a tier-one law firm by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in its 2015 list of "Best Law Firms" in the category of employment law - management. She also was selected to join the board of directors of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit.

Gary Peters, '89, was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Neil Rockind, '93, founder of criminal defense firm Neil Rockind PC, is a contributing author for Michigan Model Criminal Jury Instructions, a book slated for release in December 2014 by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Rockind authored information for the "Narcotics" chapter of the book, specifically the sections on criminal elements, penalties, lesser included offenses and practice strategies and tips.

Stuart Sherman, '90, was elected mayor of Birmingham by his fellow commissioners. He previously was a member of Birmingham's Board of Review and sat on the Ad Hoc Sewer Committee. Sherman sits on the Joint Senior Services Committee and Triangle District Corridor Improvement Authority and is a member of the Birmingham Sewer Lateral and Water Line Replacement Community Group. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Wayne Law.

Stuart Sherr, '81, was appointed mayor pro tem of Bloomfield Hills. Sherr is vice president of Sherr Development Corp. and has been a Bloomfield Hills city commissioner since December 2012.

Patrick Tully, '14, joined Warner Norcross & Judd LLP.

Courtney Williams, '14, joined Warner Norcross & Judd LLP.

Michael Witzke, '89, joined the Detroit office of McDonald Hopkins as a member in the firm's Private Client Department.


More Alumni Accomplishments

Faculty Accomplishments

Laura Bartell presented "Detroit's Bankruptcy - A Primer for the Non-Lawyer" to the Grosse Pointe League of Women Voters.

Jocelyn Benson gave a presentation at the annual Veterans Day and Remembrance Service of the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit.

Stephen Calkins presented the closing roundtable session, "The Future of the Federal Trade Commission," at George Washington Law Review's The FTC at 100: Centennial Commemorations and Proposals for Progress in Washington, D.C.

Blanche Cook presented "Implicit Bias and the Inevitablity of Michael Brown" at Vanderbilt Divinity School, Tennessee, as part of the Social Justice Forum program, an activity of the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on African American Church Studies.

Kathryn Smolinski has been elected to distinguished fellowship in the National Academies of Practice and the Social Work Academy as a distinguished practitioner and fellow. The honor acknowledges outstanding achievement and recognized leaders in their profession. Induction will take place in April at the organization's annual meeting and forum. 

Katherine White was re-elected to a third eight-year term on the University of Michigan Board of Regents. She previously was elected to the Board of Regents in 1998 and 2006. White serves as board chair.

Stephen Calkins presented "Amalgamation of Competences v Specialization, Integration v Bifurcation, Administrative v Judicial" at the College of Europe's 10th Global Competition Law Centre Annual Conference, 10 Years of Regulation 1/2003: Challenges and Reform in Brussels, Belgium.


More Faculty Accomplishments

Professors in the News

Laura Bartell was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article, With court's approval, Detroit emerges from bankruptcy, and in a number of other publications, including Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, MLive and New Republic about the emergence of Detroit from bankruptcy.

Jocelyn Benson was quoted in a Detroit News story, Critics blast Michigan electoral reform plan, and in an MLive report on the same topic.

Susan Cancelosi was quoted in Politico report, SCOTUS takes on collective bargaining agreements case.

Blanche Cook wrote a column, Is Darren Wilson receiving affirmative action? in The Detroit News.

Peter Hammer was quoted in Bloomberg News article, Detroit Comeback Hangs on Repairing Rickety Municipal Government, and in a number of other media sources on topics related to racism and the future of Detroit and its residents. Media sources included Digital Journal, Global Finance Magazine, Huffington Post, Michigan Citizen, Michigan Radio and WDET radio.

Peter Henning was quoted in the National Law Journal and in a San Diego Union-Tribune report also printed in the Boston Globe, The Arizona Daily Star and other publications, from The Associated Press, GM ordered switches nearly 2 months before recall.

Marilyn Kelly was quoted in Crain's Detroit Business story, From law office to high office: Trott, Bernstein transition.

John Mogk was quote in a Detroit News story,Detroit must build on this moment, and wrote an opinion piece, Rand Paul's plan would help Detroit, also printed in The Detroit News.

Nick Schroeck was interviewed for a WDET radio report, Digging Into The New Emissions Agreement Between U.S. & China.

Jocelyn Benson was quoted in the Macomb Daily, Oakland Press and Morning Sun (21st Century Media) in a story, Program that gives veterans free legal support to be expanded.

Peter Henning was quoted in Detroit Free Press report, Gorcyca personally liable for $1-million judgment.

John Mogk was quoted in Detroit Free Press article, For investors and travelers, it's a whole new Detroit.

Peter Henning was quoted in a Detroit News story, Court agrees to hear Kilpatrick, Ferguson appeals.


More Professors in the News