From a young age, Maggie Simons had an interest in science, which she followed with curiosity throughout her primary and secondary educations. Simons, 22, grew up in East Detroit (now known as Eastpointe) and was raised by a single mom who put her education above everything else. “She chose to enroll me in a school of choice that was far from both home and her work for the sole purpose of me receiving a good education,” said Simons. “She provided me with the groundwork to work hard for the things that matter in life.”

Leon Boykins was happy with his life as a musician in New York City, but one thing he's learned along the way is to listen when opportunity knocks — you just may want to open that door. Boykins, a native of Pittsburgh and accomplished bassist, is a 3L student at the University of Michigan Law School, with an interest in education law. His journey to law school has been filled with amazing experiences that have helped him grow and kept him motivated to find ways to use his creative talents and passions to impact change. Boykins has been making music since his elementary school days in Pittsburgh, and learned the bass in middle school.

Mention divorce and most people envision an acrimonious, painful process. Divorce may not be easy, but it can be a respectful and compassionate new start. That's the concept behind the “Divorce With Respect” initiative, which was started in 2021 by Collaborative Practice California (CPCAL) This year, Divorce With Respect Week was held March 3-9. Divorce attorney Alisa Peskin-Shepherd was one of hundreds of attorneys and professionals across the country who offered free, 30-minute divorce consultations to help promote alternative options to court-based litigative divorce.

Growing up in a family of storytellers, it wasn't much of a leap for Alison Furtaw to pursue a career in the law. "My father was a World War II veteran and I was raised on stories of bravery and sacrifice," said Furtaw, a first-generation lawyer who grew up in Detroit. While in high school, Furtaw won an award for a speech on JFK, whom her mother loved. "I think the die was cast from that point on," said Furtaw, of her legal aspirations. "Between my Italian father and my Irish/Scottish mother, there was no shortage of storytellers in the family, and I was no exception. Litigation just seemed like a natural fit."

As a kid, there was never any question for Dana Freers what she wanted to be when she grew up. The oldest of Steven and Christine Freers' four children, Dana grew up in Warren, and attended Cousino High School, followed by James Madison College at Michigan State University, then MSU Law School. "I always knew I'd be an attorney like my dad," said Freers, who came to work at her father's law firm in Fraser in after passing the Bar in 2004. "I never really thought about doing anything else. My dad has taught me everything I know."

Holding down a full-time job while enrolled in an accelerated, full-time course of pre-law college study is not for the faint of heart, but for Yassmina Salloum, 20, the silver lining is developing a keen sense of focus and discipline.

Cooley Law School Professor Florise Neville-Ewell has a long history of helping educate people about real estate law, within and outside the law school classroom.