Elizabeth M. Donovan
Assistant Professor; Paralegal Studies Program Coordinator
Technology and Professional Services Management
206D Roosevelt Hall
Education
- Master of Arts, Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Juris Doctor, University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington
- Bachelor of Arts, English, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York
Professional Summary
Before joining EMU, Professor Donovan was a Professor of Law and Director of the Clinical Program at Ave Maria School of Law, where she taught clinical, doctrinal, and skills courses.
In Human Trafficking Law Clinic, Professor Donovan represented survivors of labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and other violent crimes, and in Women’s Immigrant Rights Law Clinic and Immigration Law Clinic, Professor Donovan assisted individuals seeking immigration relief. In Mediation Law Clinic, through in-class instruction and co-mediating disputes in local courts, students became certified mediators.
Professor Donovan began her legal career as a Judicial Clerk at the Washington State Court of Appeals. She then practiced law in the Employment and Labor Group of the Detroit office of Dykema.
Industry Experience
Professor Donovan speaks on the topic of human trafficking with colleges and law schools; coalitions of law enforcement, social service providers, and practitioners; community and governmental leaders; and local and national groups. Professor Donovan also delivers training to mediators and judges on ethics and cultural competence in mediation.Courses Taught
- LEGL/WGST 318 - Women and the Law
- LEGL 400 - Advanced Legal Writing, Research and Analysis III
- LEGL 488 – Legal Internship
Selected Publications
- Donovan, E. (2020), Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act & Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act: A Shield for Jane Doe, Volume 52: Issue 1, pages 85-122, Connecticut Law Review, 2020
- Donovan, E. (2019),Catholic Social Teaching and Neo-Abolitionism: Tearing Down the House of the Rising Sun, Volume 67: Number 3, pages 321-350, Cleveland State Law Review, 2019
- Donovan, E. (2018), Same As It Ever Was: In Support of the Rights of Sex Trafficking Victims, Volume 36: Number 4, pages 489–634, Quinnipiac Law Review, 2018
Selected Presentations
- Donovan, E. (2020), Designing a Paralegal Student Friendly Online General Education Course, AAfPE 39th National Conference, Seattle, WA (moved to virtual)
- Donovan, E. (2020), Healthy Relationships, Women on the Rise, Keiser University, Ft. Myers, FL (moved to virtual)
- Donovan, E. (2019), Human Trafficking: Law & Policy, Judicial Assistant Association of Florida Conference, Naples Grande Hotel, Naples, FL
- Donovan, E. (2019), Sex Trafficking and Labor Trafficking: The Law, The Cases, and The Immigration Options, International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
- Donovan, E. (2019), Justice & Small Claims Court: Why Cultural Competence Matters, Lee County Courthouse, Fort Myers, FL
- Donovan, E. (2019), Mediator Ethics: Beyond Confidentiality & Conflict of Interest, Lee County Courthouse, Fort Myers, FL
- Donovan, E. (2019), Legal Aspects of Human Trafficking, Southwest Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Fort Myers, FL
- Donovan, E. (2019), Internet Platforms & Sex Trafficking: The Case for FOSTA-SESTA, “Women and the Law,” University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Detroit, MI
- Donovan, E. (2018), Catholic Social Teaching Applied to a Current International Problem, Human Trafficking, Society of Catholic Social Scientists National Meeting-Conference, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC
- Donovan, E. (2018), Serving Human Trafficking Survivors: Collaboration & Immigration, International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
- Donovan, E. (2018), Strengthening Human Rights Protections under U.S. and U.N. Trafficking Law and Policy SAFE2018: Annual Global Conference on Human Trafficking, Migration, Conflict, & War, Palmer House, Chicago, IL
- Donovan, E. (2018), Cultural Competency in Mediation, Collier County Courthouse, Naples, FL
- Donovan, E. (2018), The Ethical Mediator, Collier County Courthouse, Naples, FL
- Donovan, E. (2018), Human Trafficking Law and Policy, Collier County Bar Association, Naples, FL
- Donovan, E. (2017), Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, Naples, FL
- Donovan, E. (2017), Cultural Diversity in Mediation, Collier County Courthouse, Naples, FL
- Donovan, E. (2017), Mediator Ethics, Collier County Courthouse, Naples, FL
- Donovan, E. (2017), Human Trafficking: A Legal Perspective, Human Trafficking Symposium, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL
- Donovan, E. (2017), Minor Victims of Human Trafficking: The Role of the Guardian ad Litem, Guardian ad Litem Program --Collier County, Naples, FL
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
- State Bar of Michigan
- Washington State Bar
- American Bar Association
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- AAfPE
- Washtenaw County Bar Association
- Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Washtenaw (President, 2003-04; Mary E. Foster Award, 1999)
Additional Information
- Admitted to Practice: United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia; United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- Florida Supreme Court County Court Mediator
- Michigan Standard Teaching Certification (Secondary English and Social Studies) (inactive)