AOI: Public Interest Law
79 results
In Practice
For Sean Grimsley, ’00, and Eric Olson, ’00, Co-founders of an Impact Litigation Firm, Their Partnership Began at Michigan Law
When Sean Grimsley, ’00, and Eric Olson, ’00, started their impact litigation firm in September 2023, they had the loftiest of goals: to chart a path that would allow them to make a difference in the world. Two years after founding Denver-based Olson Grimsley, they are realizing that goal by taking on several cases that support the public interest through plaintiff-side litigation.
In Practice Winter 2025
Her Own Experience with Infertility Motivates Alexis Cirel, ’03, to Advocate for Better Surrogacy Laws
Alexis Cirel, ’03, a partner at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP in New York City, spent years advocating for new surrogacy laws in New York and Michigan. Her dedication to the issue is rooted in her own experience with infertility in the early 2010s.
Impact Winter 2025
New Fellowship to Fund LLM Public Service Opportunities Honors Longtime Assistant Dean for International Affairs Virginia Gordan
A new fellowship at Michigan Law will help fund important postgraduate opportunities for masters of law students, while honoring a longtime champion of international students. The Virginia Gordan LLM Public Service Fellowship is named for the first assistant dean for international affairs at Michigan Law.
Impact Winter 2025
Ashley M. Washington, ’10: Serving the Next Generation
Staying connected to Michigan Law is important to Ashley M. Washington, ’10, and her involvement with her alma mater comes in many forms. She has served on her class’s Reunion planning committee and, since graduation, has remained a loyal donor to the Law School Fund, Michigan Law’s primary discretionary fund.
In Practice Summer 2025
Aisha Elmquist, ’07: Everyone Has the Right to a Seat at the Table
Throughout history, many Americans with disabilities have been denied fundamental rights like attending school, holding jobs, and choosing homes. However, for as long as these inequalities have persisted, advocates for disability rights have fought back—including Aisha Elmquist, ’07, who leads a state government program in Minnesota that is tasked with helping those with disabilities live their best lives.
@UMICHLAW Winter 2024-2025
Michigan Law’s 1L Advocacy Clinic Provides Early Exposure to Real-world Lawyering
Michigan is one of the few law schools in the country to house a clinic for first-year students, who are allowed by the Michigan Supreme Court to do certain types of legal work. The experience can be transformative for students new to law school.
In Practice
Faizah Malik, ’11: Fight for Housing Justice
Faizah Malik, ’11, managing attorney of housing justice at Public Counsel in Los Angeles, is working to address the housing and homelessness crisis in Los Angeles.
@UMICHLAW
Human Trafficking Clinic Finds Multidisciplinary Solutions
The Law School’s Human Trafficking Clinic had been representing victims of labor and sex trafficking for more than a decade when its director, Bridgette Carr, ’02, began to envision a broader mandate for the clinic—one that would help combat trafficking before people become clients.
Features
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, ’10, and Professor J.J. Prescott Team Up on Transparency Project to Study Racial Disparities in Legal System
Even before he was elected Washtenaw County prosecutor in 2020, Eli Savit vowed to examine racial disparities in the county’s legal system. Led by Savit and Professor J.J. Prescott, the Prosecutor Transparency Project has released its analysis—and it hopes to serve as a model for similar efforts elsewhere.
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.