Michele Miller, '86, Wayne Law Assistant Dean of Students
"Among the many students that I have counseled that are now alumni are three Wayne Law administrators, a few law professors, several judges, a national television personality, a recent appointee in the Obama administration, and hundreds of fine practitioners."
Undergraduate degree? My undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan in urban education. I also have a master's degree in adult education: administration and program planning.
Why were you interested in earning a JD? After a decade of teaching school to elementary school children and to adults in a night school GED program, I decided that I needed a new career. Previously, relatives had suggested that I would make a good lawyer but I had wanted to follow my passion for teaching. Once I began investigating a career change, I looked more closely at law.
Why did you choose Wayne Law? As a non-traditional student who planned to attend law school in the evening, I came to the Law School for a recruitment program, the assistant dean for supportive services convinced me that Wayne Law was the program that I needed to attend. She was right. Wayne Law's program was first rate. The students and faculty were supportive and caring. I made professional friends that I still value 25 years later. Oh, and seven years after I began, I became assistant dean for supportive services.
What student organizations/co-curriculars were you involved in? I was on the Student Board of Governors and an officer in the Black Legal Alliance. I am also a member of Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity.
How did your involvement in student organizations impact your law school experience? Involvement with student organizations gave you camaraderie that did not involve competition. We also did many activities that helped others in the community.
Was there a law professor who really impacted your journey into law? Many professors have had a positive impact on my journey into law; several of them are now my friends and colleagues. Future Wayne Law students will benefit from their wise advice and counsel. However, two men who are no longer with us, will always stand out in my memory. The late Kenneth Callahan, my first law professor, for his sage wisdom shared over the years and his ability to answer a question with a question that would lead you to the answer if you thought about it. Also the late Steve Schulman for his "Anybody Can Have a Bad Day Speech," which he shared with me following my less-than-stellar grade in Corporations. He assured me that dropping out of Law School was not my proper course of action and that I still had a promising career in law ahead of me. I have ultimately retold that story hundreds of time over the years to other devastated law students who have just received what they considered to be a career-ending grade. Most of those students are now lawyers.
Did you feel well prepared for a career in law? I am not sure that anyone ever feels well prepared; law study and law school are designed to foster doubt - you feel there is always more to learn. I did feel well trained in legal research, legal analysis and reasoning, and in my abilities to convey my knowledge, attributes that I gained from Wayne Law's outstanding professors.
What is your current professional title? I am currently Assistant Dean of Students at Wayne Law.
How/why did you end up back at Wayne Law for your professional career? After a couple of years in large firm practice I decided that that type of law practice was not fulfilling for me. About the same time I learned that the position of assistant dean for supportive services was about to be vacated at Wayne Law. I felt that providing academic support and counseling to law students would allow me to integrate my teaching skills and my legal skills. I applied for and got the job. While I initially planned to be here a couple of years and then move to a small firm, 20+ years later I still love what I do. It is very rewarding to see insecure first-year law students become confident graduates and later my colleagues. It makes me extremely proud to know that I have contributed to the success of so many outstanding individuals. Among the many students that are I have counseled that are now alumni are three Wayne Law administrators, a few law professors, several judges, a national television personality, a recent appointee in the Obama administration, and hundreds of fine practitioners.
What advice would you give to folks considering Wayne Law as their law school? Choose Wayne Law, we are committed to your success. We build lawyers and have the track record to prove it.