The Wayne State Taft Transactional Law Competition (formerly the Wayne State Jaffe Transactional Law Competition) was founded in 2014 by Professor Zacks and Justin Hanna, a Wayne Law alum and current Taft attorney. 

The competition was established to give law students practical experience in transactional law. Since its inception in 2014, it has been instrumental in helping students develop the drafting, negotiating, and counseling skills essential for success in transactional practice, setting them apart from their peers. The program is supported by the Jaffe Transactional Law Competition Fund, created in 2018 by the Michigan-based law firm Jaffe Raitt Heuer and Weiss, which later merged with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP in 2023. Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is thrilled to continue supporting this dynamic and skill-building competition. Wayne Law is grateful to Taft for its continued support and to Peter Sugar (Wayne Law alum and Taft attorney) in particular for leading the creation of the Taft partnership with Wayne Law.