By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Detroit Mercy Law student Ebony Daniels first became passionate about law when she began to understand and recognize the seriousness of the underrepresentation of African American attorneys and the overrepresentation of African Americans in the criminal justice system.
“My passion deepened when I realized that law is not confined to the courtroom,” Daniels said.. “Legal advocacy can begin long before someone becomes involved in the criminal justice system. I discovered this when I became a Youth Advocate through the Adolescent Diversion Program at Michigan State University. I was paired with a youth in Ingham County who was considered at-risk, on the verge of entering the juvenile justice system.
“I advocated for the child’s needs and quickly learned criminal behavior often stems from deeper, unaddressed issues. This insight applies not only to youth but also to adults, whose underlying challenges frequently go unresolved, contributing to cycles of criminal behavior.”
Daniels also served as a Restorative Justice Facilitator, helping wrongdoers understand the impact of their actions on others.
“These experiences have shown me that some of the most meaningful legal work happens outside the courtroom,” she said. “I’m committed to using my legal education to create a positive impact by addressing root causes and advocating for individuals before they become justice-involved.”
Although Daniels knew law school was her next goal after earning her undergraduate degree in political science and government from MSU, she took a gap year in order to be close to home, in an environment where she could flourish and build strong connections.
She interned for two years at the Washtenaw County Office of Public Defender, before heading to Detroit Mercy Law two years ago.
“At first, I struggled with whether law school was the right path for me — but coming to UDM Law provided me with the tools and community that gave me a sense of belonging,” she said. “Before my first year, I attended the Alumni Black Law Association (ABLA) cookout, where I was able to connect with judges, attorneys, recent graduates, and future law students.
Some of them have since become friends and mentors throughout my time in law school.”
Daniels interned last summer at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“Up until that point, I’d worked as a paralegal and interned with a practicing attorney, but I wanted to explore the other side of the legal system —specifically, how judicial decisions are made,” she said. “I gained valuable insights by drafting orders, observing trials, witnessing the execution of search warrants, and assisting with the preparation of preliminary hearings.”
Each of her law clerk positions has provided different valuable experiences. At Legal Services of South Central Michigan, where she works in housing and in elder law, she has gained traditional legal skills such as legal research, drafting pleadings, and litigation.
“My work in housing law involves assisting clients who receive housing assistance and are facing eviction or dealing with poorly maintained living conditions,” she said. “In the elder law section, I support elderly clients who have experienced various forms of abuse.”
In contrast, her law clerk position at the Coalition for Property Tax Justice for the past 10 months has shown her non-traditional ways to use a law degree, including community organizing and mobilizing.
The Coalition is led by Prof. Bernadette Atuahene and was established to advocate for Detroit homeowners who were over-assessed on their property taxes.
“During my time with the Coalition, I’ve assisted Detroit homeowners in appealing their property tax assessments with the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” she said. “In addition, I’ve helped organize community events to raise awareness about this critical issue.”
Daniels is vice president of the school’s Black Law Students Association; the chapter was honored with the BLSA Chapter of the Year Award for 2024–25 at this year’s MWBLSA 57th Convention in Chicago.
“Serving helped me step out of my comfort zone and become more involved in the African American legal community,” she said. “I’ve especially enjoyed building connections with both the African American community and other communities throughout Detroit. One meaningful partnership has been with the Umoja Debate League, a nonprofit organization that teaches Detroit youth life skills through debate. In recent years, our BLSA members have served as judges for their debate competitions.
This past year, Daniels served as a fellow with the Black Women’s Health Imperative, where she focused on learning about and educating Black women on the health risks and predatory marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
“For decades, Big Tobacco companies have targeted African American communities using billboards and ads specifically designed to appeal to Black audiences or placing them in predominantly Black neighborhoods where lung health issues are already prevalent, falsely promoting tobacco as a remedy to soothe these health concerns,” she said.
Daniels has a particular legal interest in a few areas of law: sports and entertainment, criminal justice, family law and tax law. After completing law school, she plans to obtain her Sports Agent License and pursue a career as a sports agent.
“I want to use my law degree in ways that go beyond traditional legal practice,” she said.. “In addition to representing athletes, I aim to engage in scholarly writing and contribute research in areas of law that are often overlooked. My goal is to use my legal education not only to advocate for clients but also to influence broader conversations and policies within the legal field.”
Daniels was honored earlier this year with the Laurel F. McGiffert Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Scholarship awarded by Plunkett Cooney.
“I’m very grateful for receiving the DEI scholarship from Plunkett Cooney,” she said. “With DEI being under attack in the recent months it reminded me that advancing minorities in the legal space still remain a core value to some.”
A lifelong resident of the Detroit suburb of Inkster, Daniels is the fourth of seven children.
Legal News
Detroit Mercy Law student Ebony Daniels first became passionate about law when she began to understand and recognize the seriousness of the underrepresentation of African American attorneys and the overrepresentation of African Americans in the criminal justice system.
“My passion deepened when I realized that law is not confined to the courtroom,” Daniels said.. “Legal advocacy can begin long before someone becomes involved in the criminal justice system. I discovered this when I became a Youth Advocate through the Adolescent Diversion Program at Michigan State University. I was paired with a youth in Ingham County who was considered at-risk, on the verge of entering the juvenile justice system.
“I advocated for the child’s needs and quickly learned criminal behavior often stems from deeper, unaddressed issues. This insight applies not only to youth but also to adults, whose underlying challenges frequently go unresolved, contributing to cycles of criminal behavior.”
Daniels also served as a Restorative Justice Facilitator, helping wrongdoers understand the impact of their actions on others.
“These experiences have shown me that some of the most meaningful legal work happens outside the courtroom,” she said. “I’m committed to using my legal education to create a positive impact by addressing root causes and advocating for individuals before they become justice-involved.”
Although Daniels knew law school was her next goal after earning her undergraduate degree in political science and government from MSU, she took a gap year in order to be close to home, in an environment where she could flourish and build strong connections.
She interned for two years at the Washtenaw County Office of Public Defender, before heading to Detroit Mercy Law two years ago.
“At first, I struggled with whether law school was the right path for me — but coming to UDM Law provided me with the tools and community that gave me a sense of belonging,” she said. “Before my first year, I attended the Alumni Black Law Association (ABLA) cookout, where I was able to connect with judges, attorneys, recent graduates, and future law students.
Some of them have since become friends and mentors throughout my time in law school.”
Daniels interned last summer at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“Up until that point, I’d worked as a paralegal and interned with a practicing attorney, but I wanted to explore the other side of the legal system —specifically, how judicial decisions are made,” she said. “I gained valuable insights by drafting orders, observing trials, witnessing the execution of search warrants, and assisting with the preparation of preliminary hearings.”
Each of her law clerk positions has provided different valuable experiences. At Legal Services of South Central Michigan, where she works in housing and in elder law, she has gained traditional legal skills such as legal research, drafting pleadings, and litigation.
“My work in housing law involves assisting clients who receive housing assistance and are facing eviction or dealing with poorly maintained living conditions,” she said. “In the elder law section, I support elderly clients who have experienced various forms of abuse.”
In contrast, her law clerk position at the Coalition for Property Tax Justice for the past 10 months has shown her non-traditional ways to use a law degree, including community organizing and mobilizing.
The Coalition is led by Prof. Bernadette Atuahene and was established to advocate for Detroit homeowners who were over-assessed on their property taxes.
“During my time with the Coalition, I’ve assisted Detroit homeowners in appealing their property tax assessments with the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” she said. “In addition, I’ve helped organize community events to raise awareness about this critical issue.”
Daniels is vice president of the school’s Black Law Students Association; the chapter was honored with the BLSA Chapter of the Year Award for 2024–25 at this year’s MWBLSA 57th Convention in Chicago.
“Serving helped me step out of my comfort zone and become more involved in the African American legal community,” she said. “I’ve especially enjoyed building connections with both the African American community and other communities throughout Detroit. One meaningful partnership has been with the Umoja Debate League, a nonprofit organization that teaches Detroit youth life skills through debate. In recent years, our BLSA members have served as judges for their debate competitions.
This past year, Daniels served as a fellow with the Black Women’s Health Imperative, where she focused on learning about and educating Black women on the health risks and predatory marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
“For decades, Big Tobacco companies have targeted African American communities using billboards and ads specifically designed to appeal to Black audiences or placing them in predominantly Black neighborhoods where lung health issues are already prevalent, falsely promoting tobacco as a remedy to soothe these health concerns,” she said.
Daniels has a particular legal interest in a few areas of law: sports and entertainment, criminal justice, family law and tax law. After completing law school, she plans to obtain her Sports Agent License and pursue a career as a sports agent.
“I want to use my law degree in ways that go beyond traditional legal practice,” she said.. “In addition to representing athletes, I aim to engage in scholarly writing and contribute research in areas of law that are often overlooked. My goal is to use my legal education not only to advocate for clients but also to influence broader conversations and policies within the legal field.”
Daniels was honored earlier this year with the Laurel F. McGiffert Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Scholarship awarded by Plunkett Cooney.
“I’m very grateful for receiving the DEI scholarship from Plunkett Cooney,” she said. “With DEI being under attack in the recent months it reminded me that advancing minorities in the legal space still remain a core value to some.”
A lifelong resident of the Detroit suburb of Inkster, Daniels is the fourth of seven children.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
