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The Student Bar Association (SBA) at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s Auburn Hills campus recently received $500 in grant funding from the Oakland County Bar Foundation to support the organization’s Barrister’s Ball.

Pictured: WMU-Cooley Auburn Hills campus Student Bar Association officers (left-right) Qasem Belbeisi, Ashli Bynum, Arturo Alfaro, and Shilpa Bodalia.

SBA organizes the Barrister’s Ball annually to celebrate the future of the legal profession and recognize the accomplishments of the law school’s students and nationally recognized organizations. The event also provides students, faculty and staff an opportunity to network with other legal professionals in the community while raising funds to support a local charity.

“We are so thankful to the Oakland County Bar Foundation for this opportunity,” said Ashli Bynum, WMU-Cooley SBA president. “This grant helps increase our capacity to support nontraditional law students by making professional networking opportunities, such as the Barrister’s Ball, more accessible to all.”

Students from Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) recently participated in a debate on Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s Grand Rapids campus on issues of search and seizure. The debate was a part of a capstone event for the 3R’s program, a year-long collaboration between the Grand Rapids Bar Association, GRPS and WMU-Cooley Law School. During the event, students were coached by area leaders in the legal community including Kent County District Judge Jennifer Faber.

Attorney Steve Drew (left) and GRPS Assistant Superintendent and Executive Director of Public Safety and Security Larry Johnson speak to GRPS high school students about how to handle themselves if they are stopped by police, during a debate on WMU-Cooley Law School’s Grand Rapids campus on issues of search and seizure. The debate was a part of a capstone event for the 3R’s program, a year-long collaboration between the Grand Rapids Bar Association, GRPS and the law school.

The 3R’s program aims to help high school students in social studies classes better understand and respect the rule of law and the Constitution, as well as increase students’ interest in civic and government issues. Students also received career counseling as a part of the collaboration in an effort to improve the pipeline of persons of color into legal careers.

“We’re always eager to help surrounding youth learn about civics and the rule of law,” said Chris Hastings, WMU-Cooley Law School professor. “It’s been special to see the students grow in their understanding of civic and government issues over the course of this year’s 3R’s program. This debate was an exciting way to end the program and let the students apply their knowledge in a hands-on learning experience.”

Kent County District Judge Jennifer Faber helps coach high school students from Grand Rapids Public Schools during a debate on issues of search and seizure on WMU-Cooley Law School’s Grand Rapids campus.

Hardam Tripathi

On Tuesday, June 13, Hardam Tripathi, a WMU-Cooley Law School graduate and membership director of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), Tampa Bay, will join the UNA-USA delegation to stand united on Capitol Hill and urge Congress to maintain robust U.S. support for United Nations agencies and programs. The convening is part of the 2017 UNA-USA Leadership Summit, which trains and mobilizes Americans who support the work of the U.N.

“The 2017 UNA-USA Leadership Summit provides me the opportunity to follow my passion to serve the public and be on the front lines of driving change in the Capitol by advocating for strong U.S.-U.N. engagement,” Tripathi said. “This experience will exemplify my future ambitions to work in the policy arena, where I will work with major allies to solve global problems, thereby serving as a qualified advocate, representing the needs of our citizens and communities.”

The leadership summit is expected to be the largest convening ever of Americans on Capitol Hill advocating for strong U.S.-U.N. engagement with an estimated attendance of more than 300 individuals. With the future of America’s international engagement in the spotlight, the UNA-USA advocacy event comes at a pivotal moment for the U.S.-U.N. relationship. UNA-USA advocates will collectively call for full U.S. funding for U.N. regular budget and peacekeeping dues in the fiscal year 2018 budget through face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and their staff.

“If successful, I believe this will impact the nation in a positive light with respect to U.S. foreign policy. United States engagement will promote peace, national security and humanitarian efforts here in our homeland,” Tripathi said.

U.S. support and funding for the U.N. are under threat both on Capitol Hill and at the White House. While political leaders may be in disaccord, research shows that registered American voters from both major parties agree that sustained U.S. leadership at the U.N. is vital. A nationwide poll released earlier this year by the Better World Campaign found that a vast majority of Americans (88 percent) believe it is important for the U.S. to continue its active role at the U.N. Further, 67 percent support the U.S. paying its dues to the U.N. on time and in full.

WHO:              Delegation of UNA-USA, Tampa Bay directors and UNA-USA members nationwide

WHAT:            2017 UNA-USA Leadership Summit, the largest convening ever of Americans on Capitol Hill advocating for strong U.S.-UN engagement

WHEN:            Tuesday, June 13, 2017 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

WHERE:           United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

Please contact Hardam Tripathi at tripathihard@gmail.com or 863-370-2427 to interview someone from Tampa, Florida who is participating in this historic advocacy event. Photos from the event can be made available.