Wayne Law News

Since 1998, the Treasure of Detroit has been Wayne Law’s premiere event to honor the brightest lights in the legal profession and to celebrate the growth and success of the law school. Wayne Law alumni and friends are invited to reconnect with classmates and faculty members and be a part of honoring colleagues who have made a lasting contribution to the practice of law.

Five Wayne State University Law School alumni and Wayne Law Assistant Professor Eric Zacks will be honored in September as part of State Bar of Michigan Annual Meeting events in Lansing.

Professor Michael J. McIntyre, 71, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, in his Ann Arbor home after an extended illness.

“The new academic requirement guarantees that students will have opportunities to take law courses that focus on experiential learning, such as working with real clients in clinics and internships or learning in-depth practice skills,” said Associate Dean Lance Gable. “These opportunities will help ensure our graduates continue to be the best trained lawyers in Michigan and beyond.”

Detroit attorney Gregory J. Reed, shown here with Rosa Parks and President Bill Clinton, has represented civil rights icons, written award-winning books and preserved and exhibited priceless artifacts and legacies of African-American history — all part of his goal to lead a purposeful life.

Three prominent analysts of Middle East politics, including Professor Haider Hamoudi of the University of Pittsburgh Law School, will share their insights Friday, Sept. 6, when Wayne Law offers a panel discussion on “The Future of Reform Movements in the Arab World.”

The incoming class at Wayne Law comprises 139 students who hail from 37 colleges and universities and range in age from 21 to 57. Professional figure skater Ameena Sheikh-Walczak is one of those new students.

Despite concern nationwide about the legal job market, Wayne Law students, including third-year student Angela Strobel, enjoyed tremendous success this summer getting jobs and internships.

About 120 incoming second- and third-year students rooted for the home team and mingled with legal professionals Thursday, Aug. 15, at the fourth annual Evening at the Ballpark with Wayne Law.  

Business is in third-year law student Christopher Attar’s blood, and he’s found an ideal training ground at Wayne Law to enrich the entrepreneurial spirit that has coursed through his veins since he was a grade-school student.

Wayne Law student Yunjoo Goze has been awarded third prize in a national writing contest sponsored by two committees of the American Bar Association.

Josh Davis, a 2013 Wayne State University Law School alumnus, has been appointed associate director of recruitment at Wayne Law.  

Upcoming Events

Sept. 6 - The Future of Reform Movements in the Arab World

Sept. 12 - Alumni Speaker Series: 'Starting Your Own Firm'

Sept. 19 - Alumni Reception during State Bar Annual Meeting

Sept. 26 - Ambulance Chase 5K

Sept. 27 - Reunion Reception

Sept. 28 - Treasure of Detroit Gala

More Events

Alumni Accomplishments

Peter Webster, '93, was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to serve as chairman of the state Board of Ethics. The seven-member board serves as an advisory and investigatory committee, which determines the ethical conduct of classified and unclassified state employees and public officers in the executive branch of state government. Webster, a member of Dickinson Wright PLLC, specializes in the areas of antitrust, condemnation, land use and regulation, gaming, real estate, schools and educational institutions. He is a former Oakland County commissioner and remains active in the community.  

Kimberly Yourchock, '08, was named "Barrister of the Year" for her service as part of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association's Barristers Section for young attorneys. She co-chaired the 2012-2013 Barristers' School Partnership Program, which connects area attorneys with high school students in Detroit public schools and provides mentorship and educational opportunities. Her practice at Jackson Lewis LLP in Southfield focuses on defending employers in both state and federal court cases involving discrimination, sexual harassment, whistleblower, wage and hour, breach of contract, retaliation, family medical leave and wrongful discharge. She also advises employers on issues such as best practices, disability issues, force reductions, workplace privacy and terminations. In 2012, she was named a Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star.  

Alyssa Martina, '83, was appointed to a three-year term on the Michigan Women's Commission. The 15-member board works to improve the quality of life for Michigan women. Martina is the CEO and publisher of Metro Parent Magazine, and an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan Law School, Gabelli Business School at Fordham University and School of Business Administration at Wayne State University.

Jessica Woll, '93, was named a diversity leader by Corp! Magazine, a Michigan-based business news print and online publication. She is managing partner with Woll & Woll. The firm serves the needs of men and women in southeast Michigan. The firm specializes in general family law including divorce, legal separation, post-judgment of divorce matters, removal of domicile matters, stepparent adoption, custody, child support, modification of parenting time and paternity.

William Beekman, '93, was appointed to the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. Beekman is vice president and secretary of the Board of Trustees at Michigan State University. He has served on the MSUFCU Supervisory Committee since 2008. At MSU, he served as executive director of the Alumni Association and was the senior consultant to the office of the provost and office of the vice president for finance and operations.

Pamela Enslen, '81, was selected by her peers to the American Bar Association Board of Governors. Her three-year term will expire in August 2016.  Enslen was selected as the representative of the dispute resolution section. She is a member of Miller Canfield's Litigation and Trial Group. She originally joined the firm in 1985. In 2001, she left to be a public defender in federal courts before returning to Miller Canfield in 2003. She now represents companies and executives in various commercial disputes, including employment cases and white collar criminal defense, and is resident director of the firm's Kalamazoo office.


More Alumni Accomplishments

Student Accomplishments

Freyja Harris has been awarded a two-year fellowship by the Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program for the Farmington-based Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, where Harris is employed as program officer. Detroit Revitalization fellows work at chosen organizations while the program provides them with executive-style education opportunities, coaching and leadership development. Harris, a Farmington Hills resident, was one of 21 fellows chosen for the 2013-15 initiative from 430 applicants. She is a second-year law student in the evening program and holds master's degrees in public administration, as well as urban and regional planning.


More Student Accomplishments

Professors in the News

Christopher Lund was interviewed on Huff Post Live's Legalese It! for a segment on anti-Sharia laws. (His segment is from 11:05 to 15:30 in the video clip.)

Nick Schroeck appeared on Fox 2's Let It Rip to discuss petroleum coke on the Detroit riverfront.

Laura Bartell was quoted in a Metro Times opinion column, Eleventh Hour Motion to be Filed in EM Challenge.  

Paul Dubinsky was quoted in a Radio Free Europe article, Iran's Plan To Sue U.S. Over 1953 Coup A Nonstarter, Experts Say.

Jocelyn Benson was quoted in an MSNBC article, The last front in the battle to prevent Detroit’s bankruptcy.

Peter Henning was quoted in a Washington Post article, SEC puts legal lessons learned to use in Fabrice Tourre trial.


More Professors in the News