Access to Justice Program Opened New Doors for Incoming Law Students

The incoming class to the MSU College of Law experienced first-hand how effectively the legal system achieves access to justice during the final day of Foundations Week. Students were given the unique opportunity to engage with the courts and legal service providers to understand the issues and challenges each encounter when trying to ensure everyone has access to justice.

Alex Doyle, ‘26, is intrigued by the possibility of focusing on civil rights law when he graduates. After listening to Jay Kaplan, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, discuss the direction of local, state, and federal law, he says he is even more sure. “I’ve always been interested in civil rights work,” said Doyle, a Seattle native. “Now it’s solidified. I felt it was a responsibility to give back and this is my opportunity.”

“It was fantastic,” he said of the presentation to 15 law students at Lansing’s Salus Center, the LGBTQIA+ Resource and Community Center. Mr. Kaplan spoke of the recent progress and setbacks for the LGBTQIA+ community. Students peppered him with questions on the future of abortion rights, environmental protection, and LGBTQIA+ rights. “We can celebrate many successes,” Kaplan told the group. “But there is a long way to go. “You must, you must, participate.”

The Salus Center was just one of 12 locations in the greater Lansing area visited by the new students, who selected their preferred location. Other locations visited by MSU Law’s Class of 2026 were the Michigan Supreme Court, 30th Circuit Court, 54A District Court, 54B District Court, Dickinson Wright law firm, Immigration Law Clinic and the Refugee Development Center, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Legislative Services Bureau, Michigan Elder Justice Initiative and the Tri-County Office on Aging, Michigan Legal Help Center and the State of Michigan Law Library, and the State Appellate Defender’s Office and the Michigan Indigent Defense Counsel.

During her visit to the State Appellate Defender’s Office run by Jonathan Sacks, and the Michigan Indigent Defense Counsel, led by Kristen Staley, Dean Greene encountered former MSU Law alumnus Jessica Zimbelman, ’08, Managing Attorney, Direct Appeals Unit. Dean Greene also joined students to hear from Aaron Burrell of Dickinson Wright PLLC, and meet with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Welch, who co-chairs the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Students visiting 54B District Court in East Lansing, met with MSU Law Alumnus Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt. She was excited to see students from the College of Law and was open to seeing how she could be a benefit to them as a former student from the law college.

“I’m interested in sharing my experiences with them as well as hear from them,” she said. “I would love to hear where they’re coming from and anything the local court and myself as an alumn could do to make their law school experience better.”

The supervising attorney for Michigan Legal Help, Nora Ryan, provided students with insight and direction on how to access the State of Michigan Law Library. While James Yazbeck, ‘26, was impressed with the non-traditional route to law during his visit to the Legal Services of South-Central Michigan.

“I think it’s important for us to see what it’s like to be an actual practicing attorney,” he said.  “MSU Law puts an emphasis on non-traditional routes like nonprofits and government work and I do believe it is important to see that.”

Sharing his reaction to his visit to 54A District Court, Thomas Ermiger, ’26, said, “It’s really cool and I’m grateful for the experience. These visits are going to be a reality for a lot of people, and they should get an introduction to it to decide if it is for them or if they want to take a different route.”