Michael Daum works in the employee benefits department of Blitman & King LLP, which represents various employee benefit pension and health funds. “I assist the funds in complying with requirements under ERISA and the Tax Code, including plan drafting,” he said. “I regularly negotiate investment and administrative service agreements on behalf of the funds, and recently I have been assisting our health plans to comply with Health Care Reform.” The most rewarding aspect of his current position is the knowledge that he helps workers secure health care and retirement income.

“Various courses at MSU College of Law helped prepare me for my current position,” Michael said, “including Negotiation, Contracts, Income Taxation, and various Arbitration classes. I also received great experience with the MSU Law Arbitration Team because many disputes in the labor and employment world are handled first through ADR before litigation.”

For Michael, the main strength of the Law College was the individual attention the professors gave students. “In particular, many of my professors were willing to extend office hours and maintain great lines of communication with respect to not only the syllabus but also professional and personal advice,” he said.

“Law school is a great experience and MSU College of Law is a great place to experience it,” Michael added. “Even if you have no intention of practicing law in Michigan, or even the Midwest, you should nonetheless consider MSU because of its great name recognition, vast network of possible connections, and your experience of being on such a great, diverse campus.”