News Listing
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law’s Veteran’s Law Clinic (VLC) had its first fully Honorable Discharge upgrade granted for a U.S. Navy veteran. Professor Holly Christian, Director of the VLC, expanded the clinic’s practice to include record corrections when she joined the law school in 2021. Nachiket Sarvaiya, Dual 3L, wrote the memorandum that was presented to the Board of Corrections for Naval Records.
Nicholas Carroll '24 is proud to wear his identity as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community on his sleeve. He is the most recent past-President of OUTLaws, a student organization at Detroit Mercy Law dedicated to advancing the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ perspectives within the law school, and works with allies, with the school, and beyond to end discrimination in all forms.
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Immigration Law Clinic recently secured a grant of asylum status for an opposition activist from a West African country.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law awarded Voice for Justice Fellowships to Alexis Farmer and Nachaat Salami, both rising 2L students. Detroit Mercy Law strives to teach students to be both skilled practitioners and compassionate professionals. This Fellowship upholds the long-standing tradition at Detroit Mercy Law of service to the community and provides students with the opportunity to succeed while making a difference in the community. Fellowship recipients work over the summer as interns at nonprofit organizations.
Jillian Jones, 2L, was excited to find out that she didn’t need to create an LGBTQIA+ student organization when she started law school at Detroit Mercy Law.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law’s Conviction Integrity Clinic (CIC) recently assisted in vacating a man’s life sentence. The CIC is a partnership between Detroit Mercy Law, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Conviction Integrity Unit. The Clinic is directed by Valerie Newman, Director of the Wayne County CIU, and Beth Greenberg Morrow, Director of the Oakland County CIU.
Kumar Palepu '10, currently serves as a commissioner for the State of Michigan’s Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, whose mission is to be a vocal advocate for these communities, ensuring their fair access and active involvement in crucial sectors like government, business and education.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law graduate Evelyn Galvan ’24 was awarded the 2024 Vivere Ex Missione Award. Each year, Detroit Mercy presents the Vivere Ex Missione-- “To Live Out the Mission”--award to four graduating students, including one from the School of Law. This award is presented as a surprise at the commencement ceremony.
Ian Wendrow, 2L, worked as a freelance journalist reporting on environmental justice before deciding to pursue a law degree. “I felt like I wasn’t making as much of an impact as I could just reporting on environmental issues. Even if, in the future, I’m just representing one person, I’ll be able to see the tangible difference I’m making in people’s lives.”
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law announced that Nicholas Schroeck will serve as Interim Dean as of June 1, 2024. Dean Schroeck joined Detroit Mercy Law in 2018 as the Director of Clinical Programs and Associate Professor of Law. He was appointed Associate Dean of Experiential Education in 2019.
After nearly a decade working in human resources, Kevin Lynch made the decision to become the latest member of his family to attend law school. His University of Detroit Mercy School of Law experience and all that has come from it has been beyond his wildest dreams.
Kevin Lynch spent nearly a decade in human resources before going to law school. He graduates from Detroit Mercy Law ready to become an attorney like so many family members before him.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law 2023 graduates achieved a 91 percent employment rate in legal and professional positions. Graduates secured employment in various positions including at top law firms, competitive judicial clerkships, and government, business, and public interest organizations.
Two UDM graduate programs were ranked in the top 20 in the nation and several other programs were included in the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges edition.
Medina Elzayat (3L) serves as President of the Arab American Law Student Association (AALSA), Tina Toma (3L) serves as President of the Chaldean American Law Student Association (CALSA) and Simon Alnajjar (3L) is a Dean’s Fellow at Detroit Mercy Law. All are part of the ODEIB Student Feature for Middle Eastern, Arab, and Chaldean Heritage month.
Judge Michelle M. Rick '91 aspires to be a servant leader. “For me, this requires leading from the heart and valuing the contributions of all members of the team. It is critical to see that every person has skills that can benefit the task at hand.”
An all-woman team of Detroit Mercy Law students placed third in the 2023 National Patent Application Drafting Competition hosted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) after winning the regional competition. Across the nation, 55 teams competed in regional rounds for an invitation to advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C. to present in front of a board of USPTO patent examiners.
Jessica Holmes ’15 continues the legacy of Black, women attorneys in her family.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law students won the Midwest Regional Patent Drafting Competition hosted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the second year in a row.
Micaela Dalrymple (3L) serves as President of the Women’s Law Caucus (WLC) at Detroit Mercy Law. The WLC empowers members to succeed in law school and in their careers, and works to improve the quality of life for women in the community through fundraising and outreach.
Rita Soka '22 remembers the day her daughter’s words inspired her to pursue law school. “Mom, you know, you can be a really good lawyer, and I can see you doing it.”
Jazmine Goode (2L) serves as the executive treasurer of the Student Bar Association (SBA)—the governing body that represents students, liaises with the school, and oversees all other student organizations. In addition to her leadership with the SBA, Goode is as an active member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA)—the organization responsible for one of her fondest moments at Detroit Mercy Law and her very own designated parking spot.
Robbie Gaines '15 is President-Elect of the Wolverine Bar Association (WBA). When he assumes the role of President during the 2024-2025 year, he will promote and adhere to the principles the WBA has stood for since it was established in the 1930s—justice for all, diversity in the legal profession, and community leadership. Through this influential role, he will join the ranks of the many distinguished attorneys who have served as past presidents of the WBA over the years.
Christin DewBerry (3L) is a leader at Detroit Mercy Law. Her classmates elected her to serve as their executive president of the Student Bar Association (SBA)—the governing body that represents students, liaises with the school, and oversees all other student organizations.
Judge Terrance A. Keith ‘84, a distinguished alumnus and founding-president of the Association of Black Law Alumni (ABLA), is generous with his time and talent in support of Detroit Mercy Law and the legal community. In 1981, on his first day of classes at Detroit Mercy Law, he learned the value of preparation—a lesson that he still uses on the bench today.
Sydney Jackson (3L) serves as president of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). In addition to her work with BLSA, Jackson worked as a summer associate at Plunkett Cooney and as a judicial intern with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She encourages students to find a mentor at all points of their educational journey—from high school, to undergrad, to law school.
Justice Kyra Harris Bolden '14 made history when she was sworn in as a Michigan Supreme Court Justice on January 1, 2023. As the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in Michigan, she recognizes the importance of her leadership on the bench. “Representation is beyond important,” she said. “It is an honor to serve and to be an inspiration to others who look like me.”
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law community members received grants from the University of Detroit Mercy’s Titan Innovation Fund. The University invited proposals for innovations that addressed challenges and opportunities aligned with the Detroit Mercy mission and University President Donald Taylor’s institutional priorities. Steven Meerschaert, 2L, and Dr. Courtney Griffin, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, submitted proposals that were selected for funding.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law unveiled two new, inclusive, on-campus spaces for students—the Parents’ Nook and the Inclusion and Equity Lounge—at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 16, 2023 in an effort to further promote an inclusive campus as part of the school’s commitment to diversity and student-centered services.
Professor Cara Cunningham Warren is the 2023 recipient of the James T. Barnes Sr. Memorial Faculty Scholar Award. Each year, a full-time faculty member is chosen to receive this award based on scholarship, teaching excellence, and public service.
Sister Colleen Hickey passed away on October 2 at the age of 88. She dedicated her life to her faith and her community. She undoubtedly had a positive impact on anyone who passed through Detroit Mercy Law during her service.
Rita Samir Soka '22 hosted a private fundraiser at her home in support of the Detroit Mercy Law Power of One program on September 14. The program helps graduates pass the bar exam on their first attempt by providing key preparation benchmarks and financial support. With over 100 graduates sitting for a U.S. bar exam each year, the program requires significant annual funding.
Detroit Mercy will host the 18th annual Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit Conference on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 12-13. The theme of this year’s conference is “Revolution from the Heart of Nature: Take Action in Detroit.”
Detroit Mercy was ranked No. 52 nationally and second in Michigan, according to results released Sept. 6 by WSJ/College Pulse. UDM was the third-highest ranked Jesuit university and only Mercy institution ranked.
Each year, Detroit Mercy Law conducts an anonymous demographic survey at the 1L orientation to learn more about the entering class and how students self-identify. This year’s 95 percent response rate provided comprehensive additional information about the wide range of backgrounds represented in the class.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law welcomed 14 Fellows and Scholars to the incoming class of 2023.
Each year, Detroit Mercy honors an alumnus from each of its seven schools or colleges for the way they have excelled in their professions and demonstrated leadership and service to the larger community.
When Janson Fu isn’t handling all the responsibilities that come with being a law student, he has his eyes on the stars. His hobby of astrophotography involves photographing the night sky and celestial events.
As many of you know, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action on June 29, 2023, will have a significant impact on institutions of higher education throughout our country. We pray for all of our friends and member institutions who will experience an array of challenges due to this decision, but most importantly for all students who will be directly affected by the court’s actions.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law awarded Voice for Justice Fellowships to Tiffany Harvey and Danna Houssain in support of their service as legal interns this summer at nonprofit organizations that help advance access to justice.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law’s traveling expungement clinic served nearly 200 people across the state of Michigan in Saginaw, Sault Ste. Marie, and Marquette from May 15-19. The traveling expungement clinic included seven students and three professors, including one alumna judge.
An all-female team of Detroit Mercy Law students won third place in the National Patent Application Drafting Competition.
More than 1,000 graduates participated in four ceremonies during 2023 Commencement at University of Detroit Mercy on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13.
The Vivere ex Missione awards are presented annually to four graduating students whose time at University of Detroit Mercy was marked by leadership, service and scholarship.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law’s 2022 graduates achieved a 90% employment rate in legal and professional positions. Graduates secured employment in a variety of settings, including positions with law firms, courts, and government, business, and public interest organizations across the US and Canada.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law graduate Emily Elmer ’23 was awarded the 2023 Vivere Ex Missione Award. Each year, Detroit Mercy presents the Vivere Ex Missione-- “To Live Out the Mission”--award to four graduating students, including one from the School of Law. This award is presented as a surprise at the commencement ceremony.
Even after rising to a vice president position in the financial world, Matthew Snyder’s childhood dream of attending law school tugged at his heart. After a detour of nearly a decade, he is ready to take on the legal world as he graduates today.
Even after rising to a vice president position in the financial world, Matthew Snyder’s childhood dream of attending law school tugged at his heart. After a detour of nearly a decade, Snyder is ready to take on the legal world.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Black Law Students Association (BLSA) surprised Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum with a portrait they commissioned in her honor on May 8. Dean Jefferson Exum had been told that BLSA was hosting an end of year celebration which was in actuality a portrait unveiling for her.
For the fourth consecutive year, Detroit Mercy's graduate programs have ranked among the nation’s best.