Supporters of the Levin Center and friends of Senator Carl Levin surprised and honored the Senator in June upon his 85th birthday with a gift of over $150,000 to the Levin Center.  The goal of $85,000 to commemorate his 85 years was significantly  -- and gratefully -- exceeded.  Senator Levin was indeed surprised, not only by the fundraising but also by a reception at the law school of former staff, current colleagues, and long-time supporters.  Remarks were provided by current Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Law School Dean Richard Bierschbach, and University President M. Roy Wilson. Many thanks to Levin Center Advisory Board Chair, Eugene Driker, for his inspiration and leadership in organizing this gift. 

The Levin Center provided stipends and placements for six law students this summer to work as legal interns on Congressional committees doing oversight. Internships were awarded to: Cesilie Cordovilla of Ann Arbor, Anna Kozak of Belleville, Ramzi Masri-Elyafaoui of Farmington Hills, Daina Robinson of Bloomfield, Max Shuart of Northville, and Ben VanSlyke of Burton. The internships included Republican and Democratic and House and Senate offices.  Each student worked under the supervision of an experienced attorney engaged in conducting bipartisan oversight. Elise Bean met with the interns three times during the summer months to provide insight into their experience.  

The Levin Center hosted its second career panel for Wayne Law students on September 12th.  The speakers were two lawyers who serve as government relations representatives for private industry. Portia Bamiduro is currently a Senior Public Policy Manager for Amazon, where she handles issues related to small business empowerment and federal acquisition policy.  Jason Hill is currently Director, Public Policy and Government Relations for The Permanente Federation at Kaiser Permanente.  He previously served as Director, Federal Government Affairs, at Walmart, Inc.  Both spoke to the students via webinar. Linda Gustitus, Co-Director of the Levin Center Washington Office, moderated the panel. 

On March 29-30, 2019, the Levin Center held its first ever state-level oversight boot camp, having been invited by the Pennsylvania legislature to provide training for its newly-formed Oversight Committee.  The boot camp was a two-day, intensive workshop on how to conduct bipartisan, fact-based, in-depth oversight investigations.  S.C. Representative Weston Newton, recipient of the first Carl Levin Award for Effective Oversight, graciously joined the trainers, and his presence was most appreciated.  The participants were all 9 members of the Oversight Committee from both parties plus 11 staffers.  The training was well received and elicited favorable evaluations: “Highly recommend this before ANY state starts oversight committees.”  The Oversight Committee asked us to return for a second session, which was held on July 16, 2019.  This one-day session presented an abbreviated version of the longer boot camp.  The participants were 40 legislative staff members from both parties selected by the Oversight Committee.  Again, the training was well received.  More information about the Levin Center’s state-level oversight workshops can be found here.

On October 10 and 11, the Levin Center will conduct its 10th boot camp for congressional staff members.  We have over 100 applicants from both sides of the aisle, and we are looking forward to another successful training.  You can learn more about our congressional boot camp opportunities here.

Director Transition

As many of you know, Wayne Law Professor and former Dean Bob Ackerman, the current Director of the Levin Center, will be leaving the Levin Center by the end of the year.  He has served the Levin Center ably during his tenure, and we are grateful for his contributions.  In anticipation of his departure, a Search Committee was established to review candidate applications.  Five applicants were chosen for in-person interviews.  The candidates were impressive.  The Law School Dean is expected to announce within the next few weeks the person chosen to be the next Director.  The new Director will not only lead the Levin Center, but also teach at the law school and assume some of the responsibilities of the current Co-Directors of the Washington Office.  We will keep you informed of these developments. 

Charter School Research Reveal

Early this year the Levin Center commissioned the Citizens Research Council to conduct a study of oversight of charter schools in Michigan.  That report is scheduled to be completed and made public in November 2019 with the possibility of a panel discussion at Wayne Law on the findings.  

Michigan Youth in Government 2020

The Levin Center will continue its model oversight program with the YMCA's Michigan Youth in Government program this year, which introduces students from the next generation to tools and techniques used in good, fact-based, bipartisan oversight investigations.  High school students from across the state will receive information on this year's scenario at their October fall conferences.

Wayne Law Review Biennial Oversight Symposium

The Levin Center is in the planning stages for its biennial oversight symposium in partnership with the Wayne Law Review.  The symposium, which will center on oversight of technology and technology in oversight, is scheduled for March 20, 2020.

Staff Transition

Congratulations are also due to Levin Center Program Manager Emily Barr (now VanBarr) and her new husband, Levin Center 2019 Legal Intern Ben VanSyke (now VanBarr), on their recent marriage.  On top of that, we are proud to announce that Emily has begun her first semester in Wayne Law's evening program.  The Center looks forward to the meaningful contribution she will make to the legal profession.