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Issue: Spring 2014 | Section: Cover Story

15 results

View of Detroit skyline View of Detroit skyline

Cover Story

Hatching New Businesses in Detroit

Nick Gorga, ’02, is helping “to put a small thumbprint on the next chapter of Detroit.” After working in Chicago for six years as an associate at Latham & Watkins LLP, Gorga returned to Detroit in 2008 to help combat what he viewed as a “brain drain” in the region.

Reinventing Detroit graphic and two speakers in front of American flag Reinventing Detroit graphic and two speakers in front of American flag

Cover Story

The Big Three: Michigan Law Alumni Aim to Lead Detroit Out of Bankruptcy

Three Michigan Law alumni— Gov. Rick Snyder, ’82, Mayor Mike Duggan, ’83, and emergency manager Kevyn Orr, ’83—aim to lead Detroit out of history’s largest municipal bankruptcy. And they've made no secret of their ambitious plans for the beleaguered city.

Aerial view of Detroit Aerial view of Detroit

Cover Story

Glenn Oliver, ’87: Tapping Innovation for Water Utilities

Most of us turn on faucets or lawn sprinklers with no thought as to how the water got there. Glenn Oliver, ’87, wants to make sure it arrives in the most cost-effective, efficient way possible. In 2006, Oliver launched H2bid, a Detroit-based online exchange connecting water utilities with vendors. 

Barbara McQuade speaking in a conference room with meeting attendees Barbara McQuade speaking in a conference room with meeting attendees

Cover Story

Prosecution and Prevention

 U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, ’91, began her tenure with a would-be underwear-bomber trying to blow up a plane over her district a day after she was confirmed by the Senate. Then, office’s successful prosecution of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick made headlines around the world. But there’s much more to her work than enforcement and prosecution. 

Skyline view of Detroit Skyline view of Detroit

Cover Story

Detroit-based VC Firm Creates Irresistible Opportunity

When Jake Cohen, ’13, heard about a venture capital firm that would invest in early-stage technology companies based in Detroit, he couldn't pass it up. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Michigan Law students walking through Detroit Michigan Law students walking through Detroit

Cover Story

Katy Locker, ’02: Boosting Quality of Life in Detroit

Katy Locker, ’02, likes being part of the conversation about making a difference in her community. And she gets to do just that as the Detroit program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which provides grants for ideas that promote quality journalism and media innovation, engage communities, and foster the arts. 

View of Detroit cityscape View of Detroit cityscape

Cover Story

Detroit Law Firms are Doing Well—and Look to Play a Role in the City’s Turnaround

What is it like for a major law firm to do business in Detroit right now? For many who live outside the city and even the state, the perception might be that Detroit is a “dead” city and that few big-firm clients are Detroit-based companies and organizations. That isn’t the case, say Michigan Law alumni David Foltyn, ’80, Michael McGee, ’82, and Richard Rassel, ’66. 

Dan Varner, ’94 meeting with Michigan Law Students Dan Varner, ’94 meeting with Michigan Law Students

Cover Story Spring 2014

Dan Varner, ’94: Fostering Excellence in Education

Formerly a program officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and CEO at Think Detroit PAL, Dan Varner, ’94, is the CEO of Excellent Schools Detroit, a coalition of education, government, community, and philanthropic leaders and organizations whose goal is to ensure an “excellent education for every child.”

Detroit 2.0 photo of set type Detroit 2.0 photo of set type

Cover Story

Detroit 2.0

Detroit is a gutted city, a cautionary tale, a tapestry of ruin. Or Detroit is the comeback kid, a wise investment, a city that will return to greatness. What happens next in the country’s onetime industrial capital is a story that cannot yet be written; no crystal ball can accurately predict the future of the largest U.S. city ever to seek bankruptcy protection.

Felicia Andrews, ’04 working with children in Detroit Felicia Andrews, ’04 working with children in Detroit

Cover Story Spring 2014

Felicia Andrews, ’04: Helping Youth Succeed Through Team 313

A self-described “impact person,” Felicia Andrews, ’04, reassessed her career goals and decided that the changes she was making at the macro level in South Africa through her work with the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development could be applied at the micro level in Detroit.