MSU Law students earn kudos

Several Michigan State University College of Law students are in the news for their recent accomplishments.

2L student and Indigenous Law and Policy Center extern Lydia Locklear will perform a summer fellowship at the Indian Law Resource Center in Washington, D.C., this summer. She is the second MSU Law student to work for the Indian Law Resource Center. During the 2015/16 academic year she served as a legal extern for the Indigenous Law and Policy Center, providing legal services to indigenous tribes by researching and writing memoranda on the Indian Child Welfare Act.

“We’re excited about Lydia’s accomplishment, and believe that she’ll have an excellent experience,” said Professor Wenona Singel, associate director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center at MSU Law. “The Indian Law Resource Center is recognized globally for its work on indigenous rights. ”

MSU Law student Ethan Shirley has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant and will undertake a funded environmental studies project in the Pantanal region of Brazil. In addition to earning a juris doctor degree, Shirley is also earning a Master’s degree from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

“Ethan is doing important work, and the MSU Law community is proud of his prestigious accomplishment,” said Professor Kristi Bowman, associate dean for academic affairs at MSU Law. “Our students are great things, and Ethan’s interdisciplinary work represents the power of collaboration at MSU.”

Shirley’s Fulbright research is informed by his eleven years of work in Brazil promoting sustainably and conservation. “Decisions to comply with environmental laws are based on social, economic, and legitimacy factors,” Shirley explained. “My project explores how scientists communicating with local people might improve compliance by improving perceived legitimacy of fisheries regulations in the region. The effects of trust in scientists on compliance with laws and regulations may have broad implications for how scientists do their field work around the world.”

The MSU Law Mock Trial Team advanced to the semi-finals of the William W. Daniel Mock Trial Competition, which took place Nov. 20-22 in Atlanta. The team was recognized for their preparation and skill with the Most Professional Team award.

The team of third-year students Devon Schulz, Philip Kunka, Loic Mengou Dimithe, and 2L Colin Gerish advanced through three preliminary rounds before competing in the semi-final round where they argued against the team from the St. Mary’s School of Law, who went on to win the competition. Chris Iannuzzi, a 2010 MSU Law alum and current associate at Governmental Consultant Services, Inc., helped lead the team to success.

Eighteen law school teams from across the nation competed in the prestigious competition, including John Marshall Law School, George Washington Law School, and the University of Houston Law Center.The invitational competition, named in honor of a noted Georgia judge, was hosted by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia.

MSU Law’s Negotiation Team triumphed at the regional round of the American Bar Association Negotiation Competition on Nov. 13 and 14.

For the first time, MSU Law sent two teams to the final four round, winning first and third places. They competed against 24 law schools at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. MSU Law’s winning team’s performance earned them a first place vote from every judge in every round. Winning top honors were 2Ls Donna Musolli and Matthew Lupo. Other team members include 2Ls Kristyn Carmichael, Tamara Todorovic, Jacob Simon. 2L Wedad Ibrahim and 3L captain Juliet Iacona placed third.

“Competing out of our region is tough, and with twenty-four teams in the region it is very difficult to advance to the final four,” said Professor Brian Pappas, who coached the negation team. “Our students’ triumph under these circumstances demonstrates their own hard work as well as the vast talent we have here at MSU Law.”

“This level of success is very impressive,” Dean Joan Howarth commented.

With their success at the regional level, MSU Law has secured a place to compete for the national title at this spring’s ABA National Negotiation Competition in San Diego.