The FBI’s Andy Arena (front center) has been a popular speaker at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law luncheon programs.
By Mike Scott
Legal News
Lunch with a Lawyer is an informal event often held twice a week during the school year that offers many benefits to speakers and students at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Now in its fifth year, Lunch with a Lawyer has included hundreds of UDM alums and even a few non-alums who have an interest and passion in helping law school students better understand legal careers and specialties.
In short, it is a way for alums to keep in touch with UDM while students have the opportunity to gain valuable information and make important network contacts.
Many of the program’s speakers often become mentors for students who attend the Lunch with a Lawyer sessions, said Judy Smiley, UDM Law associate
director for Alumni Relations and the program’s coordinator.
“Our lawyers who come back are really so enthusiastic and they really see it as a way to give back to the school,” Smiley said. “We get great support from the administration.”
Smiley will survey UDM students on the types of topics they want to hear at such lunches.
Sometimes the topic will revolve around a particular case that a speaker was involved with, or a focus on one or more specialties. Some speakers talk about building a law firm practice, a book of business, and the importance of networking.
Many of the Lunch with a Lawyer sessions will include eight to 12 students in attendance, but some will draw more.
The lunches are provided to students and attendees free of charge in UDM Law’s faculty area.
“We like to keep the sessions relatively small so it gives students more time to ask questions and isn’t too overwhelming for our speakers because they are truly giving us their time and knowledge,” Smiley said.
Lunch with a Lawyer is one of the law school’s most successful continuing programs largely because of the quality of the speakers, said Dean Lloyd Semple.
Speakers have included UAW President John King, Detroit RiverFront Conservancy CEO Faye Nelson, and many others. The speakers provide inspiring stories to students along with recommendations for career development.
“It’s a very upbeat program,” Semple said. “You have everyone from distinguished graduates and practitioners to those who haven’t gone to law school but went to UDM (undergrad) and have tremendous messages for our students.
“Certainly many of the topics are questions about the law and practicing law but the (career) advice and feedback that our students receive is so valuable. I try to attend every program if I can because I know that I learn a lot from these speakers as well.”
The goal is to provide UDM Law students with more information about the profession while helping them to build a base of network contacts.
Because of the conversational nature of the sessions, many speakers and current practicing attorneys have spoken multiple times, some as far away as outstate.
“I know that some of our alums have made it a point to call us when they are going to be (in the Detroit area),” Smiley said. “Some of them have been able to find our students jobs and some of them have done everything they could to help them in other ways.”
One alumnus that has spoken twice at the Lunch with a Lawyer program is Andrew Arena, special agent in charge for the FBI in its Detroit office.
As a 1988 graduate of UDM Law, he has tried to communicate to students that they can use their law degree in virtually any type of profession.
“Whatever you want to do with your law degree you can,” Arena said. “Practicing law isn’t for everyone, but it’s a great background for almost any profession.”
With his law enforcement background, Arena has been able to share some interesting stories about working on cases for the FBI.
As a result, attendance at his sessions has been particularly high. Yet, he feels that the entertainment value is only one reason for the student interest.
“I can tell some stories certainly, but I have found that many students are interested in working for a government service, whether it is the FBI, Justice Department, or another organization,” Arena said.
It does take organization for Smiley to work around the various schedules while still communicating with students about upcoming speakers, times, and dates.
She informs students through hard copy postings outside the UDM Law Library and via e-mail and the school’s website.
Generally the sessions are held from September through mid-November when finals begin. They will start again in January following the holiday break.
“We’re looking for a level of expertise that our alums and speakers can provide students and they do a great job,” Smiley said.
She is currently working with alums who are judges or practicing lawyers in New York State and Chicago to schedule spring semester speaking engagements.
“We have many speakers who ask when they can come again. They really enjoy it,” Dean Semple said.
The program has been so successful that UDM’s Dental and Architectural schools also have looked at implementing similar luncheon sessions to benefits both alums and students, Smiley said.
The key though is to have alums like Arena that take time out of their hectic schedules to give back.
“There is a close connection (with UDM Law) and through the program I have been able to become reengaged with the school and some friends of mine that went there,” Arena said.
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