By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
After earning her bachelor’s degree in business from University of Detroit Mercy, followed by an MBA from UDM, Victoria Hanna worked in marketing for a nurse case management company, collaborating closely with personal injury attorneys.
“I witnessed firsthand how legal advocacy transforms clients’ lives during their most challenging moments,” she says. “I was particularly struck by the intersection of healthcare, business, and law — and I realized that combining my business acumen with legal expertise would allow me to make a more meaningful impact.”
This complexity of medical-legal issues and the opportunity to advocate for individuals navigating the health care system inspired Hanna to pursue a legal education. Wanting to build deep roots and connections in the Michigan legal community, she chose Cooley Law School for its strong practical training programs, extensive network of alumni throughout Michigan, and commitment to hands-on learning.
“The school’s reputation for preparing practice-ready attorneys, combined with its robust student organization opportunities and accessible faculty, made it the ideal environment for me to develop both my legal skills and professional network,” she says. “The emphasis on real-world experience — from clinics to competitive moot court and mock trial programs — aligned perfectly with my goal of becoming an effective advocate.
“What I appreciate most is the genuine investment faculty and staff make in student success. The professors are not only knowledgeable but also accessible and committed to mentorship,” she adds. “The administration creates an environment rich with opportunities — whether through clinics like the Elderlaw program, leadership positions in student organizations, or connections to practitioners in the field. There’s a collaborative culture that encourages students to pursue their passions, whether that’s founding new organizations, competing in trial competitions, or publishing scholarly work. The support system has allowed me to grow both as a legal scholar and as a leader.”
Now in her 2L year at Cooley, Hanna says her primary legal interests lie in personal injury, insurance law, and medical malpractice.
“These areas fascinate me because they sit at the intersection of law, health care, and economic policy — allowing me to leverage both my legal education and business background to advocate for meaningful reform,” she says.
“I’m passionate about the law because it empowers me to be both an advocate and a problem-solver — particularly for individuals facing the complexities of our health care and insurance systems,” she adds. “My background in business gives me a unique perspective on how legal and economic structures intersect, and I believe understanding both dimensions is crucial to developing effective solutions. Ultimately, I’m driven by the opportunity to use legal advocacy to level the playing field for those who need it most, while also contributing to broader policy conversations that can improve our systems for everyone.”
Hanna founded and serves as president of the school’s Personal Injury Law Society; as secretary of the Mock Trial Board, where she has also competed; and as secretary of the International Law Society. She is a member of the Student Bar Association, Organization of Women Law Students, and Christian Legal Society; and also serves as a Barbri Student Representative and LexisNexis Student Representative on campus, works as an Admissions Student Counselor, and participates in the Sixty Plus, Inc., Elderlaw Clinic.
“What I enjoy most about these organizations is the opportunity to build community, develop leadership skills, and gain practical experience while supporting my peers in their legal journeys,” she says
Her WLAM membership has been invaluable in connecting her with attorneys and students who share her commitment to women’s advancement in the legal profession. She has participated in numerous events both on campus and in the Macomb area, which have expanded her professional network and provided mentorship opportunities—and one of her articles will soon be published in the WLAM Journal.
“The organization has also opened doors for publications and other professional development opportunities that have been instrumental in my growth as a law student,” she says. “Beyond that, it’s such a supportive community — I’m hosting my first panel for the Personal Injury Law Society, and all the panelists are WLAM personal injury attorneys. It’s been wonderful to see how willing they are to invest in students and share their expertise.”
Hanna has received several recognitions, including the Women in Law Scholarship from the Organization of Women Law Students; and the State Bar of Michigan Insurance & Indemnity Law Section’s $5,000 scholarship for her article, “Reforming Medical Insurance Law to Address America’s Health Care Crisis,” published in the January 2026 Quarterly Journal of the State Bar of Michigan’s Insurance & Indemnity Law Section, and recognized for its depth of economic analysis and innovative policy solutions.
Her essay examines how current legal frameworks governing medical insurance often fall short of their fundamental purpose—protecting Americans from financial devastation due to medical expenses—and proposes comprehensive reforms.
“Receiving the scholarship was a tremendous honor that validated my commitment to addressing critical gaps in our health care and insurance systems,” she says. “Medical insurance law interests me because it directly impacts people’s access to health care and financial security during their most vulnerable moments. Coming from a business background, I’m particularly drawn to analyzing how policy and economic structures can be reformed to create more equitable outcomes for patients and providers alike.”
Hanna also earned a Certificate of Merit in Electronic Discovery for achieving the highest grade in the course; and she has been named to the Dean’s List.
Hanna’s immediate goal is to practice at a firm for several years to develop her litigation skills and deepen her expertise in personal injury and insurance law.
“Beyond that, I’m keeping my options open—my MBA background has given me an entrepreneurial perspective, and I’m drawn to the idea of building something of my own down the line, whether that’s in practice or at the intersection of law and business,” she says. “What I know for certain is that I want to do work that makes a tangible difference for clients while contributing to meaningful reform in health care and insurance systems.”
Originally from Shelby Township in Macomb County, Hanna now lives in Lansing, and her leisure pursuits include tennis, workout classes, travel, and spending time with family, that includes two younger brothers and a younger sister.
Hanna enjoys spending her summers in Lebanon, her family’s original home country.
“These summers are incredibly important to me — they ground me in my roots and remind me of the values and traditions that have shaped who I am,” she says. “Being able to maintain those close ties to Lebanon while building my career here in Michigan gives me a rich, bicultural perspective I carry into everything I do.”
Legal News
After earning her bachelor’s degree in business from University of Detroit Mercy, followed by an MBA from UDM, Victoria Hanna worked in marketing for a nurse case management company, collaborating closely with personal injury attorneys.
“I witnessed firsthand how legal advocacy transforms clients’ lives during their most challenging moments,” she says. “I was particularly struck by the intersection of healthcare, business, and law — and I realized that combining my business acumen with legal expertise would allow me to make a more meaningful impact.”
This complexity of medical-legal issues and the opportunity to advocate for individuals navigating the health care system inspired Hanna to pursue a legal education. Wanting to build deep roots and connections in the Michigan legal community, she chose Cooley Law School for its strong practical training programs, extensive network of alumni throughout Michigan, and commitment to hands-on learning.
“The school’s reputation for preparing practice-ready attorneys, combined with its robust student organization opportunities and accessible faculty, made it the ideal environment for me to develop both my legal skills and professional network,” she says. “The emphasis on real-world experience — from clinics to competitive moot court and mock trial programs — aligned perfectly with my goal of becoming an effective advocate.
“What I appreciate most is the genuine investment faculty and staff make in student success. The professors are not only knowledgeable but also accessible and committed to mentorship,” she adds. “The administration creates an environment rich with opportunities — whether through clinics like the Elderlaw program, leadership positions in student organizations, or connections to practitioners in the field. There’s a collaborative culture that encourages students to pursue their passions, whether that’s founding new organizations, competing in trial competitions, or publishing scholarly work. The support system has allowed me to grow both as a legal scholar and as a leader.”
Now in her 2L year at Cooley, Hanna says her primary legal interests lie in personal injury, insurance law, and medical malpractice.
“These areas fascinate me because they sit at the intersection of law, health care, and economic policy — allowing me to leverage both my legal education and business background to advocate for meaningful reform,” she says.
“I’m passionate about the law because it empowers me to be both an advocate and a problem-solver — particularly for individuals facing the complexities of our health care and insurance systems,” she adds. “My background in business gives me a unique perspective on how legal and economic structures intersect, and I believe understanding both dimensions is crucial to developing effective solutions. Ultimately, I’m driven by the opportunity to use legal advocacy to level the playing field for those who need it most, while also contributing to broader policy conversations that can improve our systems for everyone.”
Hanna founded and serves as president of the school’s Personal Injury Law Society; as secretary of the Mock Trial Board, where she has also competed; and as secretary of the International Law Society. She is a member of the Student Bar Association, Organization of Women Law Students, and Christian Legal Society; and also serves as a Barbri Student Representative and LexisNexis Student Representative on campus, works as an Admissions Student Counselor, and participates in the Sixty Plus, Inc., Elderlaw Clinic.
“What I enjoy most about these organizations is the opportunity to build community, develop leadership skills, and gain practical experience while supporting my peers in their legal journeys,” she says
Her WLAM membership has been invaluable in connecting her with attorneys and students who share her commitment to women’s advancement in the legal profession. She has participated in numerous events both on campus and in the Macomb area, which have expanded her professional network and provided mentorship opportunities—and one of her articles will soon be published in the WLAM Journal.
“The organization has also opened doors for publications and other professional development opportunities that have been instrumental in my growth as a law student,” she says. “Beyond that, it’s such a supportive community — I’m hosting my first panel for the Personal Injury Law Society, and all the panelists are WLAM personal injury attorneys. It’s been wonderful to see how willing they are to invest in students and share their expertise.”
Hanna has received several recognitions, including the Women in Law Scholarship from the Organization of Women Law Students; and the State Bar of Michigan Insurance & Indemnity Law Section’s $5,000 scholarship for her article, “Reforming Medical Insurance Law to Address America’s Health Care Crisis,” published in the January 2026 Quarterly Journal of the State Bar of Michigan’s Insurance & Indemnity Law Section, and recognized for its depth of economic analysis and innovative policy solutions.
Her essay examines how current legal frameworks governing medical insurance often fall short of their fundamental purpose—protecting Americans from financial devastation due to medical expenses—and proposes comprehensive reforms.
“Receiving the scholarship was a tremendous honor that validated my commitment to addressing critical gaps in our health care and insurance systems,” she says. “Medical insurance law interests me because it directly impacts people’s access to health care and financial security during their most vulnerable moments. Coming from a business background, I’m particularly drawn to analyzing how policy and economic structures can be reformed to create more equitable outcomes for patients and providers alike.”
Hanna also earned a Certificate of Merit in Electronic Discovery for achieving the highest grade in the course; and she has been named to the Dean’s List.
Hanna’s immediate goal is to practice at a firm for several years to develop her litigation skills and deepen her expertise in personal injury and insurance law.
“Beyond that, I’m keeping my options open—my MBA background has given me an entrepreneurial perspective, and I’m drawn to the idea of building something of my own down the line, whether that’s in practice or at the intersection of law and business,” she says. “What I know for certain is that I want to do work that makes a tangible difference for clients while contributing to meaningful reform in health care and insurance systems.”
Originally from Shelby Township in Macomb County, Hanna now lives in Lansing, and her leisure pursuits include tennis, workout classes, travel, and spending time with family, that includes two younger brothers and a younger sister.
Hanna enjoys spending her summers in Lebanon, her family’s original home country.
“These summers are incredibly important to me — they ground me in my roots and remind me of the values and traditions that have shaped who I am,” she says. “Being able to maintain those close ties to Lebanon while building my career here in Michigan gives me a rich, bicultural perspective I carry into everything I do.”
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