Law classes offered at GVSU

Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University and MSU-DCL College of Law have entered into a unique collaboration that will bring law courses to western Michigan.

The three institutions announced that law courses will be offered at the DeVos Center on the Pew Campus of Grand Valley beginning in January. The courses in Grand Rapids will be the next step in an on-going relationship among the three schools. Previous agreements created a successful dual law/business degree program (JD/MBA), and an accelerated program for Grand Valley's Seidman School of Business students entering law school.

Grand Valley President Mark Murray says the decision to offer law courses at the DeVos Center underscores the university's commitment to build academic programs that meet the needs of the people of West Michigan and the Grand Rapids' Bar Association's commitment to quality legal education. 'Grand Valley has a responsibility to serve the educational needs of our community by providing high quality law programming and supporting the Bar Association's mission of high competence and civility in the practice of law,' Murray said. The institutions have been consulting with the Grand Rapids Bar Association since 1999.

MSU President Peter McPherson said collaborative efforts like this are essential in this time of economic constraints. 'Leaders in higher education have an obligation to meet the needs of our students by providing quality programs that maximize our resources and foster an integrated approach to learning. The successful affiliation between Michigan State and MSU-DCL College of Law demonstrates the potential such initiatives have in expanding educational opportunities in our state.'

The three schools and the Grand Rapids Bar are creating the Legal Education Institute of West Michigan, a consortium that will be devoted to bringing legal education to the west side of the state. Grand Rapids Bar Association President the Honorable Patrick Bowler said, 'We are excited about the law classes to be offered at Grand Valley's DeVos Center and about the Bar Association's collaboration in a program that will enhance the legal profession and provide services to our members.'

President of the Law College, Clifton E. Haley, emphasized all classes will comply with the American Bar Association's accreditation standards. 'We will work diligently with the guidance of the ABA to meet the needs of law students in West Michigan. Students enrolled in courses in Grand Rapids will receive the same high-quality instruction as provided by the Law College in East Lansing. We will continually consult with members of the practicing bar and the judiciary to ensure that these courses reflect the best training for aspiring lawyers.'

Representatives of the three institutions will form an academic planning committee. That committee will identify which courses will be offered immediately and outline a plan for future course offerings. These courses will attract JD students, members of the practicing bar, dual degree students and corporate executives looking for law related education.