By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Drawn to the field of law out of a passion for justice and fairness, WMU-Cooley Law School 3L student Jennel Davoren has racked up a slew of awards during her studies.
Receiving the 2023 Florence King Scholarship, provided by the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and sponsored by the Women Patent Lawyers was a tremendous honor, according to Davoren. The award acknowledges outstanding academic performance, leadership skills, and commitment to advancing women's rights and gender equality in the legal profession.
She also received the "Scholarship for Academic Excellence in Corporate and Business Classes" from the Association of Corporate Counsel, an honor granted to one student from each Michigan law school. Last semester, she received the Constitutional & Administrative Law/ “Phil and Bill” Award, awarded by a committee of faculty and made possible by a donor gift.
She will graduate this month and prepare to complete the bar.
“I’m completely open to see what the future has in store for me,” she says. “I’ve found Michigan has so many opportunities. I’m open and excited to begin my law career journey.”
Davoren launched her career trajectory with an undergrad degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida, and a minor in crime, law and deviance, and certificates in behavioral forensics and criminal profiling.
Her legal interests include contracts and public policy; she is also particularly interested in the realm of patent, copyright, and infringement law especially as it relates to sports and entertainment.
“The significance of intellectual property in the modern digital age is undeniable—athletes, artists, and content creators rely on the protection of their innovations and original works to ensure fair compensation and recognition,” she says.
“The sports and entertainment industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, this specialization allows one to work closely with individuals and organizations involved in these industries, addressing legal challenges, and navigating complex contracts and licensing agreements. The potential impact of this field of law is substantial, as it not only protects creators' rights but also fosters innovation and encourages creative thinking across various industries.”
After completing an externship at the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) this past summer, Davoren continued there as a legislative student assistant, involved in researching and analyzing proposed bills and policies related to civil rights—a role that allowed her to have a direct impact on shaping legislation and policies that promote equality and protect the rights of all Michigan residents.
The work involved collaborating with legislators, policymakers, and community organizations to advocate for and influence meaningful change, and kept her up-to-date with current civil rights issues and work towards addressing systemic barriers and inequalities.
“This involvement in cutting-edge policy and advocacy work has provided a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth,” she says.
“I’ve deepened my understanding of civil rights principles and developed a range of skills related to legislative analysis, communication, and strategic planning. Moreover, public policy directly impacts every aspect of society including the criminal justice system by shaping legislation, sentencing, law enforcement practices, reform initiatives, victims’ right, and funding allocation.”
Davoren has found working at the Cooley Innocence Project to be highly rewarding.
Davoren has served as president of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS)..
“I’ve had the honor of meeting with members of in-house counsel of The Detroit Pistons, and touring the training facility while attending their ‘Business of Basketball Night’ and Sports Law Night’—hearing directly from professionals in this field has been an invaluable experience,” she says.
SELS also provided a platform to shed light on social justice issues. Davoren introduced The Social Justice “Lunch & Learn” Series where the first guest speaker was Dr. Jerome Reide, legislative liaison for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, whose presentation included the need for diversity and inclusivity, public policy, and community involvement. An upcoming guest will be Jacqueline Williams of Zealous, a regional and prison program director, who will discuss the Open MI Door Campaign and the Federal Anti-Solitary Task Force against isolation and confinement.
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