Meet the SBA
Name: Daniel Gordon
Office position you were elected to?: SBA Executive President
Where are you from?: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Why did you decide to attend law school?
I decided to attend law school because I felt that a legal education would allow me to help people experiencing legal problems. In my life, I have known people who have experienced legal problems, and they were genuinely afraid. I always wanted to help, but I could not. Now, I can. And I am very proud of that.
Why UDM Law?
There are two reasons why I chose UDM Law. The first reason was because I did research on the school, its professors, and its graduates. I was impressed. I noticed that there were graduates from UDM Law all over place. I mean, there are UDM Law grads at large firms, medium firms, small firms. There are UDM Law grads in a number of different states outside of Michigan. There are UDM Law grads in Canada. There are UDM Law grads at all levels of the Michigan judiciary. I mean, we are literally all over the place! I appreciated that.
I also appreciated how well I was treated when I visited the school during one of their “prospective student” events. That also helped with my decision.
Why did you want to run for SBA?
I wanted to run for SBA Executive President because I love UDM Law, and I have the character and leadership experience to actually serve the school well.
What goals do you hope to implement while serving UDM law?
There are a lot of goals that I hope to implement while serving UDM Law. However, my favorite goals are to continue with the 1L Mentorship program and to get the UDM Law name out there in the community. I think UDM Law is a fantastic law school, and it is about time that everyone else knew it too.
Preferred means of communication with the student body?
I can be contacted by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the UDM Law SBA Facebook group page.
Do you have anything else that you would like to say to the student body?
I am very excited to be the SBA Executive President at UDM Law, and I look forward to working with the students, faculty and administration.
Name: Alan Latham
Office position you were elected to?: SBA Executive Vice President
Where are you from?: I was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan
Why did you decide to attend law school?
Law School has always been a lifelong dream. After working in Corporate Finance for 5 years, attending Law School was the best option to realize my fullest potential as a professional.
Why UDM Law?
After careful consideration and attending several open houses, UDM Law was a clear choice. The faculty, staff and professors are completely dedicated to the success and competence of the students. The culture of the Law School seemed unique with a number of student run organizations and a progressive curriculum to match student interest.
Why did you want to run for SBA?
I wanted to run and be a part of the SBA to formally serve my peers as a student executive. I feel leaders are most effective when they lead through service and involvement as opposed to title. While SBA Executive Vice President, I will strive daily to ensure that the concerns of any student at UDM Law are properly addressed.
Preferred means of communication with the student body?
Please contact me via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. " if you have any questions regarding SBA affairs or Law School in general. I am glad and will do my best to help
Do you have anything else that you would like to say to the student body?
I would like to thank the student body for their support and I look forward to a very productive year.
Name: Renee Gruber
Office position you were elected to?: SBA Executive Treasurer
Where are you from?
I thought I might add a little background about myself for those that might not know me well. I went to high-school at Waterford Kettering and went to college at Ferris State. I double majored in both Business Administration and Paralegal Studies. After school, I worked for five years in store management and was an owner of a multi-cultural barber/salon.
Why did you decide to attend law school?
I had aspired to attend law school in my high-school days, and finally committed to UDM Law after my fiancée (who also attends UDM Law) decided that we would take the next big step.
Why UDM Law?
I chose UDM Law because of the excellent networking opportunities within the Detroit and Oakland area. I had numerous visits during college, and I fell in love with the downtown building and the beautiful atrium. Furthermore, UDM was the best at recruiting mechanisms to show their commitment to their students through e-mails and open houses. I had met UDM faculty and they were always open to answering questions and had a passion for the success of their students.
Why did you want to run for SBA?
I wanted to be a part of the Student Body Association because I am very team-oriented and have great ideas to facilitate an excellent year of law functions. I wanted to continue in the pride of UDM Law. As your SBA Executive Treasurer, I want to be instrumental in a variety of facets to ensure that we all run efficiently and zealously in all that we do.
What goals do you hope to implement while serving UDM Law?
Transparency is one of the SBA E-Board’s goals for 2012-2013. The E-Board is very proud to be elected as your representatives and promise to be transparent about our student body finances.
also, I will ensure that we are working within a manageable budget.
Preferred means of communication with the Student body?
Please feel free to contact me at any time via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the UDM Law SBA Facebook page regarding questions you may have relating to Treasurer or as a student body as a whole.
Do you have anything else that you would like to say to the student body?
Transparency. The definition is quite simple. Transparency means “easily seen through, recognized, or detected.” The new SBA board promises to Be transparent in all of our actions.
Throughout my time at UDM, I have been instrumental in the Voice for Justice Committee and have been responsible for gathering thousands of dollars in donations for our prestigious fellowship interns. I am also a member of Law Review. And now, I am your proud UDM SBA Treasurer. I thank you for this opportunity and promise to do all that I can to represent you well.
Name: Rejane Ferreira
Office position you were elected to?: SBA Executive Secretary
Where are you from? I was born in Brazil, but raised in Newark, New Jersey.
Why did you decide to attend law school?
I didn’t dream about becoming a lawyer my whole life. I’m the first one in my family to graduate from a 4 year college and the first to go to law school. I went into undergrad as a bio-chemistry major, and ended up changing my mind after my first year. I guess in my mind the only two options to success were medical school or law school.
Why UDM Law?
I had a friend of mine tell me about the UDM Law School, so I applied.
Why did you want to run for SBA?
It began 1L year really, by participating in different organizations you learn a lot about yourself. I found that I enjoyed the atmosphere and leadership position when working with people in the student body. I knew that I could get the job done, while being considerate of the input people wanted to include.
What goals do you hope to implement while serving UDM law?
My goal is to be committed to the school and keep students aware of everything that is happening at UDM Law School. Very soon, everyone will become very acquainted with my weekly announcement emails. J
Preferred means of communication with the Student body?
If anyone would like to contact me, please feel free to send me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the UDM Law SBA Facebook page.
Do you have anything else that you would like to say to the student body?
Commitment. It comes in all forms and ways. Commitment is being responsible, trustworthy, dedicated, loyal, and reliable. The new SBA E-Board hopes to ensure that we are fully committed to UDM Law’s Student Body.
As the new SBA Executive Secretary I pledge to always be honest, forthcoming, and committed to the student body. I am always available to students or faculty that want to voice their opinions about issues that need to be handled properly.
Among other things, I am responsible for slides, taking minutes at every meeting, and running elections. I am very open to suggestions on how to improve the current election process or other concerns you may have.
I come from a very diverse background and a big family that has always been there to support me in everything I do. I attended Rutgers University and graduated with a double major in Criminal Justice and Sociology. UDM Law school students and faculty have become a second family for me away from home. Participating in different organizations and being involved in the community has helped me not only build connections with people, but also to appreciate the city of Detroit.
I am currently a 2L Day Class Representative, Treasurer of Amnesty International, member of BLSA, member of BLA, and have participated in the social committee and ACLU. I hope to take all the experiences and knowledge I have gained to fully commit myself to the student body as SBA Executive Secretary. I have confidence and trust in my fellow SBA E-Board members to run a “tight ship” this upcoming year. We will show the student body that our commitment and determination to do what is in the best interest for the students is fully carried out. I look forward to working with everyone this upcoming year. Stay positive, considerate of others, and committed!