(ABOVE) Around two dozen Legal Studies students from Ferris State University, along with members of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity Wednesday, Oct. 2, for a visit to the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing. They toured the hall and attended oral arguments before the State Supreme Court. (BELOW) The students heard about the Michigan Hall of Justice from docent Rachael Drenovsky, during an Oct. 2 visit to the State Supreme Court in Lansing.
Around two dozen Ferris State University’s Legal Studies program students, along with those preparing for law school, experienced learning at the highest levels of Michigan’s judiciary during a visit to the Michigan Hall of Justice and State Supreme Court in Lansing.
Associate Professor of Legal Studies Emily Fransted, Professor Gayle Lopez and Assistant
Professor Aaron Madziar were the faculty members who accompanied the students during
the visit. Fransted, who along with Madziar is co-advisor for Ferris’ pre-law fraternity
Phi Alpha Delta, said the students reviewed appellate briefs before the Wednesday,
Oct. 2 trip to Lansing.
“This was the first time we escorted a group of students to downtown Lansing, and the Hall of Justice,” Fransted said. “We are hoping to make it an annual event because it was a most valuable experience. Our students toured the building and received a great deal of information, thanks to Rachael Drenovsky, the docent who oversees the Hall of Justice Learning Center.”
The university group also attended a presentation of oral arguments in the State Supreme Court chambers, followed by an audience with the justices.
“We have received a great deal of positive feedback from our students about this aspect of the tour,” Fransted said. “They were surprised that the justices were real people, who had asked the same questions that came to their minds during the court proceeding. This was a most interactive, inquisitive and engaging experience for all of us.”