Dr. Jennifer Copland

Associate Professor

Biography

Professor Jennifer L. Copland is an Associate Clinical Professor at Michigan State University College of Law, where she serves as the Director of the Appellate Moot Court Program. Her extensive background in advocacy began in high school, where she was a competitive member of debate teams. At the University of Michigan, she was part of a nationally ranked debate team. After graduating, she coached debate at the University of Louisville for a year before embarking on her legal journey at the University of Michigan Law School. There, she excelled as a finalist in the Campbell Moot Court Competition and participated in the Jessup International Moot Court Competition while contributing to the University of Michigan International Law Journal. Following her law degree, she clerked for the Honorable Peter D. O'Connell at the Michigan Court of Appeals and practiced commercial litigation at Dickinson Wright, focusing on telecommunications and utility companies. In 2011, she became Corporate Counsel for Sterling Commercial Credit and is a member of the State Bars of Michigan and Indiana. Since August 2009, she has taught the Moot Court Competition at MSU College of Law and is involved as an acting faculty advisor for the MSU Law Moot Court Board. Her courses include Administrative Law with a focus on food safety and labeling, Advocacy, Communication Skills for Foreign Educated Lawyers, and Research, Writing & Analysis, all designed to enhance students’ legal and advocacy skills.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Clinical Professor
2009-08-01 — Present

Michigan State University College of Law • East Lansing, MI

Teaching various law courses including Moot Court Competition and Administrative Law.

Corporate Counsel
2011-01-01 — Present

Sterling Commercial Credit • MI

Providing legal counsel on corporate matters.

Commercial Litigation Attorney
— Present

Dickinson Wright • MI

Practiced commercial litigation primarily for telecommunications and utility companies.