Welcome from the Dean
As dean of the Law School, and a member of the faculty since 2005, I am deligh
ted to welcome you to our website. In the eight years since I joined the Wayne Law, I have seen many changes and am proud of the direction in which we are going.
At Wayne Law you will receive an excellent and affordable education from legal scholars who are the best in their fields. When choosing a law school, it is important to consider the courses offered – attend the school that offers classes that will prepare you for the legal career you want. We have one of the best public interest law programs in the nation. For example:
The study of civil rights is flourishing at Wayne Law. The Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights is home to the Michigan Allies Project, which tracks hate incidents and provides legal support for victims. We offer courses and seminars such as Race and the Law that examine how these areas interact to both create and alleviate racial inequality, and we encourage students to develop new legal strategies and solutions to address institutional stratification. Our Asylum and Immigration Clinic and Disability Law Clinic, as well as myriad extracurricular activities, provide a solid base for students interested in pursuing a career as a civil rights attorney.
The Program for International Legal Studies provides qualified students with several opportunities for study abroad after their first or second year. International Public Interest Law Fellowships allow students to work for non-governmental organizations around the world, advocating on issues including human rights, the environment, women’s rights and law reform. Stipends cover travel and living expenses for up to two months of work.
Our campus is an exciting place to be. It is rewarding for Wayne Law to be part of Detroit’s renewal. We are an anchor in Midtown – where lawyers work and confront the real problems of an urban environment – and our students, faculty and alumni contribute to the city’s rebirth on a daily basis.
The growing focus on creating and sustaining businesses in and around the city has led to an expansion of our Business and Community Law Clinic and establishment of the Patent Procurement Clinic, the only clinic in Michigan that is part of a pilot program within the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Our Program for Entrepreneurial and Business Law (PEBL) comprises a coordinated business curriculum, in-house clinics, and an off-campus entrepreneurial immersion program. PEBL combines the strengths of experienced faculty, enthusiastic students and extensive community partnerships to enhance the legal proficiency and capacity of Detroit’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing early-stage legal assistance to startups.
At Wayne Law, we expose students to a variety of perspectives so you will learn to think in different ways and understand the opposing arguments surrounding a particular issue. Your coursework will challenge you to think deeply about existing problems, and how you can help solve them.
Thank you for your interest in Wayne Law. I invite you to contact my office at 313-577-3933, for additional information or to arrange a tour. I look forward to seeing you on our campus.
Sincerely,
Jocelyn Benson
Dean