Fall 2023

All Articles in This Issue

A deer wandering indoors and a broken window. A deer wandering indoors and a broken window.

Briefs Fall 2023

News in Brief: Fall 2023

A deer in the Law Library | Eric Holder visits the Quad | Dan Crane on the NCAA sign-stealing investigation | Drones, surveillance, and the Fourth Amendment | and much more...

A portrait of Kristin Johnson ’03. A portrait of Kristin Johnson ’03.

In Practice Fall 2023

Kristin Johnson ’03: Protecting Consumers by Policing Crypto Markets

As one of five members of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a sister agency to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Kristin Johnson and her colleagues are charged with regulating US derivatives markets. As such, they oversee the creation and enforcement of rules to prevent fraud and manipulation in the markets they supervise—including crypto.

Portrait of Jayne Rizzo Reardon Portrait of Jayne Rizzo Reardon

Class Note Fall 2023

Jayne Rizzo Reardon, ’83: Alumna Honored with ABA Ethics Award

Resolving legal conflicts by way of shouting is not how Jayne Rizzo Reardon, ’83, handles things. But that wasn't always the case, and it took a particularly fraught negotiation early in her career to set her on a search for a better way to practice law.

Portrait of Eric E. Bergsten, ’56 Portrait of Eric E. Bergsten, ’56

In Memoriam Fall 2023

Eric E. Bergsten, ’56

Eric E. Bergsten, ’56, of Vienna, died on July 1, 2023, at the age of 91. He co-founded the Vis Moot, a Vienna-based international commercial law and arbitration competition. 

Clarence Armbrister in a blue robe and cap and gown speaking into a microphone Clarence Armbrister in a blue robe and cap and gown speaking into a microphone

Class Note Fall 2023

Clarence Armbrister, ’82: Transforming an HBCU

The early tenure of Clarence Armbrister as president at Johnson C. Smith University was not for the faint of heart. Two weeks before his term started on January 1, 2018, he learned that the school’s accrediting agency had placed it on probation for financial reasons. Then came hurricanes and the coronavirus pandemic.

Exterior architectural view of the Reading Room. Exterior architectural view of the Reading Room.

@UMICHLAW Fall 2023

At the Cutting Edge of International Law: Four Michigan Law Faculty Discuss Their Latest Work

The University’s founding statute in 1837 required the law department to hire a faculty member devoted to international law. Ever since, Michigan Law has been uniquely committed to the study of law beyond US borders. 

Conference participants sitting around a large table. Conference participants sitting around a large table.

@UMICHLAW Fall 2023

Conference Launches New Program on Law and the Global Economy

Michigan Law inaugurated the Program on Law and the Global Economy this fall by hosting an international conference on investment arbitration. 

View of an empty classroom. View of an empty classroom.

@UMICHLAW Fall 2023

Affirmative Action: The Cliff Where Diversity in Higher Education Now Teeters

Senior Assistant Dean Sarah Zearfoss, ’92, has led the Law School’s admissions and financial aid offices since 2001. In this essay, which originally appeared on bet.com, she weighs in on two recent Supreme Court cases, Students for Fair Admission v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admission v. University of North Carolina.

Student speaking in front of a group of people Student speaking in front of a group of people

@UMICHLAW Fall 2023

Strengthening Southeast Michigan through Small Businesses

Students in Michigan Law’s Community Enterprise Clinic work under faculty supervision to help revitalize and reinvigorate urban communities across Michigan, promoting community and economic development in disinvested cities by supporting organizations that have a mission beyond the bottom line. 

Group of people posing together. Group of people posing together.

Briefs

Celebrating Milestone Reunions

Hundreds of alumni and their guests returned to Ann Arbor over two weekends this fall to celebrate their Reunion.

A portrait of John Hoyns, ’79. A portrait of John Hoyns, ’79.

Impact

John Hoyns, ’79: Helping Airlines Survive COVID

After decades of serving aviation clients, John Hoyns thought he had seen the worst of the airline industry’s ups and downs. That was until the coronavirus pandemic upended the industry and presented a slew of unexpected challenges.

A portrait of Eric R. Lamison, ’95. A portrait of Eric R. Lamison, ’95.

Impact

Eric R. Lamison, ’95: Alumnus Establishes Fund for Law Quad Preservation

Eric Lamison describes his experience at Michigan Law as nothing short of an awakening. “Being in the Law Quad, the classrooms, Hutchins Hall, the Lawyers Club, the Reading Room, and the library below truly impacted me,” he says. “I always felt grateful to be there.” 

A portrait of Peter H. DeHaas, ’63. A portrait of Peter H. DeHaas, ’63.

Impact

Peter H. DeHaas, ’63: Boosting Financial Independence for Future Generations

Peter DeHaas spent his career working toward financial freedom—an aspirational goal that he was able to achieve with a little help along the way. With gratitude for the financial aid he received as a student, DeHaas recently established a $12 million trust to help the next generation of Michigan Law students achieve their career and financial goals.

A portrait of John Bulgozdy, ’84. A portrait of John Bulgozdy, ’84.

Impact

John Bulgozdy, ’84: From Poetry Class to the Courtroom

On the surface, litigation and poetry don’t have much in common. But John Bulgozdy says that the analytical skills he used throughout his legal career can be traced to an undergraduate poetry class at the University of Michigan.

A portrait of The Hon. William “Bill” A. Clark, ’52 at a Michigan Football game. A portrait of The Hon. William “Bill” A. Clark, ’52 at a Michigan Football game.

Impact Fall 2023

Hon. William “Bill” A. Clark, ’52: A Michigan Man in Ohio

The Hon. William “Bill” A. Clark, ’52, was a double Wolverine whose maize-and-blue pride stood firm throughout his 54-year legal career in Dayton, Ohio. His wife of 69 years, Cathy C. Clark, BA ’52, recently established a scholarship fund at Michigan Law in honor of her late husband.

Exterior view of the Reading Room Entrance. Exterior view of the Reading Room Entrance.

Impact

Fall 2023 Recent Gifts

Read about philanthropy at Michigan Law. 

Portrait of Rosemary S. Pooler, ’65 Portrait of Rosemary S. Pooler, ’65

In Memoriam

The Hon. Rosemary S. Pooler, ’65

Rosemary S. Pooler, a senior judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, died at her home in Syracuse, New York, on August 10, 2023. She was 85. 

A map with pins marking different locations and a flag with the block M. A map with pins marking different locations and a flag with the block M.

Cover Story Fall 2023

Michigan Law in Service around the World

The University of Michigan Law School is an international institution in every sense of the word. Students come from around the globe to study in the Law Quad, and they go on to represent the Law School all over the world through opportunities as students and throughout their careers. The fall 2023 issue of Law Quadrangle shares some of their stories.

A portrait of Susanne Baer, LLM ’93. A portrait of Susanne Baer, LLM ’93.

Features Fall 2023

Susanne Baer, LLM ’93: “It's the Highest Honor to Serve”

With her election as a justice on Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court in 2011, Susanne Baer made history. She became only the second nominee of the country’s Green Party and the first out and elected lesbian and radical feminist to serve as one of the court’s 16 justices.

A portrait of Rossa Fanning, LLM ’00. A portrait of Rossa Fanning, LLM ’00.

Features Fall 2023

Rossa Fanning, LLM ’00: “I Am the Government's Lawyer”

When Rossa Fanning became attorney general of Ireland in late 2022, he didn’t need to endure the confirmation process of his counterpart in the United States. Instead, in two head-spinning days, he transitioned from his successful legal practice to a seat in the cabinet of Ireland’s prime minister.

A portrait of Raphael Lotilla, LLM ’87. A portrait of Raphael Lotilla, LLM ’87.

Features Fall 2023

Raphael Lotilla, LLM ’87: “For the Benefit of My Country”

Raphael Lotilla was appointed secretary of energy in the Philippines in July 2022—for the second time—and he reassumed the role during a period of significant challenges: righting the privatization of the energy sector, confronting climate change, and addressing poverty.

A portrait of Kenneth Salazar with the president of the United States. A portrait of Kenneth Salazar with the president of the United States.

Features Fall 2023

The President’s Ambassadors Abroad

Hundreds of Michigan Law alumni represent the interests of the United States and its citizens in
various levels of the government around the world. A handful, however, have risen to the highest level by being appointed as ambassadors, including Donald Blome, ’90; W. Robert Kohorst, ’78; and Kenneth Salazar, ’83.
 

A portrait of Emily Boening, ’12. A portrait of Emily Boening, ’12.

Features Fall 2023

Emily Boening, ’12: Voice from the Civil Service

“I have worked on some extremely challenging issues—Afghanistan, Syria, terrorism, Russia…. It probably won’t be me who solves the world’s problems, but whoever succeeds will be someone unafraid to fail.” 

A portrait of Seth Oppenheim, ’04. A portrait of Seth Oppenheim, ’04.

Features Fall 2023

Seth Oppenheim, ’04: Voice from the Foreign Service

“It’s been a fascinating time to be posted to Brussels. Commercial and trade issues intersect so many of the topics important to the relationship between the United States and the European Union: climate change, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China, and artificial intelligence—to name a few.” 

A portrait of Priyadarshi “Pri” Sen, ’93. A portrait of Priyadarshi “Pri” Sen, ’93.

Features Fall 2023

Priyadarshi “Pri” Sen, ’93: Voice from the Foreign Service

“Those of us who serve overseas in the United States Foreign Service represent our country 24/7. In a small place like Suriname, everyone knows who we are. What we say and how we behave outside of work—and even what we buy at the local grocery store—is seen as representative of the United States.” 

A portrait of Karima Bennoune, '94. A portrait of Karima Bennoune, '94.

Features Fall 2023

Bates Fellowship: Forty Years of Life-changing Experiences Abroad

In the 40 years since it was established, the Clara Belfield and Henry Bates Overseas Fellowship has supported nearly 400 Michigan Law students and alumni in their international pursuits, including internship positions at international institutions, independent research, and teaching.