Section: Features
57 results
Features
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.
Features
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.
Features
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.
Features
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.
Features
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.”
Features
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.”
Features
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.”
Features
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.
Features Spring/Summer 2023
The Business of College Sports
Name, image, likeness (NIL)—three words that have created enormous changes for student-athletes and collegiate sports. We spoke with two Michigan Law alumni—one historically in favor and one against compensation for athletes—who have engaged on this topic over the past several years in friendly debate with each other.
Features Spring/Summer 2023
Slavery’s Legacy in Architecture and Law
Slavery and the Built Environment, a Problem Solving Initiative class taught by Luis C.deBaca, ’93, examined the historical narrative of monuments in the US, including those with racist legacies. Students in the fall 2022 semester examined the history of Sylvester Manor to better understand how land use and regulation of supply chains have been shaped by slavery and its legacies.