Veteran: Army officer may explore career in immigration law

Detroit Mercy Law 1L student Daniel Bernhard, pictured with his three children, has served in the U.S. Army for the past seven years.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Bernhard

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

A U.S. Army officer for the past seven years, Daniel Bernhard served mostly in armored units at Fort Hood and Fort Bliss, and had the opportunity to work with military partners in Kuwait and Egypt. He continues to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Civil Affairs Officer.

With a background that encompasses over a decade of progressive volunteer, government, nonprofit and military experience, he is now turning his sights to earning a law degree and launching a legal career.

“One of the most rewarding tasks as an Army officer is to have a soldier request help with a problem, collaboratively break down the issues to the problem, and to connect the soldier with the resources they need to solve it,” he says. “I now want to apply that same process and become a legal resource to my community.”

The Houston native, who holds an undergrad degree in political science and a master’s of Public Service and Administration from Texas A&M University, is in his 1L year at Detroit Mercy Law, and appreciates the campus location, close to the heart of Detroit and within walking distance to many cultural and legal sites. 

“This will be vital to establishing my legal career as I progress in my studies,” he says. “There are a lot of opportunities to serve in the community, including volunteer opportunities, mini-clinics and student organizations.”

Bernhard is particularly interested in learning international, immigration, and human rights law.  

“I’ve been blessed to know many immigrants in my life, including family, friends, and co-workers,” he says. “Practically, America needs talented and hard-working individuals to continue to be competitive in the global economy. Morally, there are many individuals around the world that live in oppression and devastating poverty. I want to live in a country that continues to be a beacon of hope and a paragon of prosperity.”

Bernhard and his family— his wife, Ashley (a native Michigander), 4-year-old twins Emilia and Eleanor, 2-year-old Sylvia, and 1-year-old Leofric—make their home in Ferndale, and enjoy getting to know the Motor City area.  

“There is a lot to do and explore in the Detroit metro,” Bernhard says. “We’ve spent time going to the Detroit Zoo and the DIA. Detroit is also very close to so many natural wonders, including woods and beaches, that we’ve been able to explore.”

The family used the distance imposed by the pandemic as an opportunity to grow together. 

“Over the summer, my family has gardened, and introduced our preschoolers to home schooling,” Bernhard says. “I’m happiest cooking dinner for my family and asking the children about their favorite part of the day.”


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