While "Miller Canfield University" may sound tongue in cheek, it is our name for a very serious in-house education program. While law schools do a fine job of training legal minds, we have found that they generally fail to address the practical aspects of practicing law. So, many new lawyers arrive with unanswered questions like these:
- What do clients expect of me?
- What do principals expect of me?
- How do I effectively interact with my colleagues?
- What resources are available to support my practice?
- How do I truly master my chosen specialty?
- What are my ethical responsibilities?
- How do I balance my professional life and my personal life?
- How does our technology work?
- How can I become a principal in the firm?
- How can I become an effective leader?
- What are the basics of law firm economics?
In recognition of the fact that even the brightest need help in these areas, we established MCU with five colleges devoted to education in the areas of (1) practice development, (2) technology, (3) substantive law, (4) practice management and economics and (5) personal development.
Two semesters a year are offered by each of the colleges. Each college offers three or four courses a semester. The topics cover a broad range of practical subjects, including such courses as "What In-house Counsel Really Want From Their Lawyers," "Situation Software: Using Technology to Prepare Chronologies," "E-Commerce Law" and "Effective Group Management."
The faculty contains a mix of Miller Canfield lawyers and clients as well as professional educators who design courses specifically for MCU.
Media recognition:
Of Counsel Article
Michigan Lawyers Weekly Article
The Detroit News Article
Crain's Detroit Business Article