Looking Back

While we all are anxious as the end of the first semester approaches, I look back at the beginning. There were so many eager first-year students. They seem a little less excited at this point in their first semester but committed to their legal education. As a third year, I remember being just as terrified in my first year. What I think may have helped me was—and is--the collegial atmosphere among students at UDM.

This weekend, I watched my colleagues argue in the Ernie Goodman Civil Rights Mock Trial Tournament. I never cease to be amazed by the extraordinary caliber of my colleagues in regard to their advocacy skills. I look forward to the finals that will be held this Wednesday where one of many qualified teams will be crowned as champions for this year.

Michelle Kennedy – SBA Secretary

Federal Bar Association (FBA) News

This year, the Federal Bar Association (FBA) plans to host several speakers from different areas of Federal Law. In October, FBA hosted UDM alumni Steven Nofar. Mr. Nofar spoke to the FBA chapter regarding Tax Law as well as his professional experience since leaving UDM. Our November meeting will be co-hosted with the Immigration Law Student Association, and will feature a speaker from the US Customs and Immigration Services, April Mears. Ms. Mears will accept resumes at this meeting for summer internships as well. It is our sincere hope to host a speaker on Bankruptcy or Employment Law for our December meeting.

Matt Smith 4L

UDM Jewish Law Student Society (JLS) Reactivated

The UDM Jewish Law Student Society (JLS) reactivated its student organization this semester, hosting its first event September 24th, featuring internationally esteemed scholar and Rabbi, Dr. Gottlieb speaking on “Law and Logic.” The lecture is available for download at: www.dovidgottlieb.com/lectures/index/htm.

JLS members have also been active in the local Jewish community, where its students were recognized at the Michigan Chapter of the Annual American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists Event. The JLS is currently coordinating with Hillel of Metro Detroit to bring future programming to the UDM law community, as well as planning other future events independently. In addition, JLS is organizing social gatherings with other local area law schools.

Ryen Freedman 3L

Great Events Past and Future

This year has gotten off to an exciting start. We kicked off the month of October with a blood drive that brought in 27 pints of blood. We hope to beat that number at our next blood drive next semester. The next week we had a workshop facilitated by UDM Law 3L, Julianne Pastula, where students delved into some of the basics of Robert's Rules of Order. Soon thereafter we held our annual Oktoberfest. This year, we held it at Bookies. It was great fun and a big success. Special thanks to Kara Danosky for chairing the event and to the Oktoberfest committee for all their hard work. We have been busy working on future events and programming for the UDM Law student body. One of these approaching events is Barrister's Ball, to be held on February 2nd at the Roostertail. Tickets are on sale now, so be sure to see your SBA reps! Additionally, we are working on procuring items, sponsorships, and volunteers for the Voice for Justice Auction, which will be held on April 4th. Students also are working on beginning a new tradition, a 5K run that will be held next fall. We've had an eventful year so far. We hope to keep the excitement high and events flowing!

Ellie Levine – SBA Vice President

Fall Term Coming to a Close

Welcome to the debut of our UDM Blog. We are coming to the close of our fall term and I have so many things to share with you. We began the term with several initiatives that exemplified the professionalism for which we wanted to be known for. The mentor program has been a resounding success with the assistance of Michelle Kennedy and Matthew Smith. The program has provided 1Ls with the ability to have an immediate contact with a 2L or 3L student to address questions and assist in the general navigating of first-year anxieties. The program also has encouraged more accessibility in general to the SBA office resources. As a result of this, there has been a collegial atmosphere among the SBA associations.

Paul Spaniolo – SBA President