Legislators discuss benefits of law degree Cooley's Integrity in Our Communities panel also looks at term limits

By Roberta M. Gubbins Legal News The Thomas M. Cooley Law School Center for Ethics, Service and Professionalism brought six Michigan legislators, including two Cooley graduates, to the Lansing Campus recently to discuss how having a law degree impacted their political careers as part of its Integrity in Our Communities speaker series. The speakers included: * Rep. Kevin Cotter, Isabella and Midland Counties; * Rep. Mark Meadows, Meridian Township, Lansing, E Lansing, Williamston; * Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, Kalamazoo and Van Buren Counties; * Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Detroit; * House Speaker Pro Tem John Walsh, Livonia; * Sen. Dem. Leader Gretchen Whitmer, Lansing area. All agreed that the law degree helped in all their professional endeavors. It trained them to think logically, to work through an issue, seeing both sides; to keep cool under pressure, to use the expertise of others and to make decisions based on the facts before them. They said that being a lawyer helps in understanding the laws they are reading, amending or writing. House Speaker Pro Tem John Walsh, said that his law practice prepared him financially. He practiced for many years before running for office and will be able to return to the practice when his term is over. "I was a week-end student," said Rep. Rashida Tlaib. "The skill I learned was how to juggle a full time job and school." She also came to realize while at Cooley the diversity of the state, the people and their opinions. "I also learned to speak in front of a group. The law degree gives me an advantage." Rep. Kevin Cotter, a first term representative, is a member of the Judiciary Committee, which is in the process of reorganizing the courts. "Having the law degree will be very helpful," he said. "I can't think of any occupation or profession where a law degree won't help you, said Rep. Mark Meadows Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker said that her law degree has "been so useful in my life." Through her experience in practicing law, she came to understand that the world is "not black and white but many shades of grey." Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer was the last to speak. "My master plan was to become a sports broadcaster. But I went to law school instead. One of the things that really appealed to me about a law degree was the diversity of jobs that you can use that law degree in." Both of her parents hold law degrees--her father became the president and CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield and her mother practiced as an assistant attorney general. "It is one of those flexible, interesting educations that you can take anywhere. It has never failed to serve me well," she concluded. Asked their thoughts on term limits for Michigan legislators, their opinions varied. Cotter, in his first term said, "I was thrown into the fire of budget preparation and it took some time to get up to speed on the project. I discovered I am in favor of term limits, however, I would like to see something slightly longer than we have now. It keeps some people from pursuing a political career because of the limits." Schuitmaker was in favor of term limits, saying that she thought the citizens are looking for a legislator who will best represent them regardless of experience." She noted, however, that, as a result of the limits, bureaucrats, who are not accountable to the voters, are running the agencies. "I think term limits is a terrible public policy, said Whitmer. "The proposed policy reason was that it would create a more diverse legislature, you would have less money involved in campaigns and you would sever the link between the lobby and the legislature. It has been a dismal failure on all three fronts: * The legislature is less diverse--women were a third of the chamber before term limits now they are less than a fifth. * Campaigns have not gotten cheaper * The lobby corps is a major source of information. "I agree," Meadows said. "It has been a complete failure for the State of Michigan. The shutdown in 2009 was the direct result of term limits. It took me a couple of years to learn all the ropes to be an effective legislator and I had been in public service." He voted for term limits. "It was a bad vote. I am willing to work to extend the term limits." The Center for Ethics, Service and Professionalism brings nationally and locally recognized speakers to each campus each term to talk with students, staff, and faculty about issues, trials, and lawsuits touching on ethical and professionalism. matters. Published: Thu, Oct 13, 2011

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