Elizabeth M. Donovan

A photo of Elizabeth Donovan

Assistant Professor; Paralegal Program Coordinator

Technology and Professional Services Management; Women's and Gender Studies

 206D Roosevelt Hall

734.487.1218

[email protected]

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

Professor Donovan is the Coordinator of the Paralegal Program and teaches courses in the Paralegal  and Women’s and Gender Studies departments.

She began her legal career as a Judicial Clerk at the Washington State Court of Appeals and then practiced employment, labor, and immigration law at the Detroit office of Dykema.

Before Professor Donovan joined Eastern Michigan University, she was a Professor of Law and a Director of Clinical Programs. In Human Trafficking Law Clinic and Women’s Immigrant Rights Law Clinic, Professor Donovan represented survivors of labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and other violent crimes. In Mediation Law Clinic, through in-class instruction and co-mediating disputes in local courts, students became certified mediators. In Immigration Law Clinic, Professor Donovan assisted individuals seeking asylum and other forms of immigration relief.

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 379 - Human Trafficking Law
  • LEGL/WGST 318 - Women and the Law
  • LEGA 221 - American Immigration Process
  • LEGL 211 -  Introduction to the Legal System
  • LEGL 300 - Marijuana Law
  • LEGL 488 - Legal Internship
  • LEGL 400 - Advanced Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis III
  • LEGL 499 – Advanced Contract and Compliance Law
  • LEGL 499 Advanced Child and Family Law Policy and Practice
  • LEGL 499 Advanced Family Law and Practice
  • LEGL 499 Advanced Insurance Law and Practice

Selected Publications


Selected Presentations

  • Donovan, E. (2023), Labor Trafficking in Florida: Data and Trends, Southwest Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Ft Myers, FL (virtual)
  • Donovan, E. (2023), Interviewing and Writing: An Approach to Students Learning Job Skills, American
    Association for Paralegal Education Virtual Spring Conference
  • Donovan, E. (2022), Incorporating Human Trafficking Law and Policy in Law School Curriculum, St. Thomas University College of Law, Miami, FL
  • Donovan E. (2022), Students as Engaged Members of Society, American Association for Paralegal Education 41st National Conference, Orlando, FL
  • Donovan E. (2022), Labor Trafficking, Taking a Stand, Women’s Resource Center, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI (virtual)
  • Donovan, E. (2021), Vulnerability and Human Trafficking, Southwest Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Ft. Myers, FL (virtual)
  • Donovan, E. (2020), A Focus on Labor Trafficking, Taking a Stand, Women’s Resource Center, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI (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 Association for Paralegal  Education

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
  • Michigan Standard Teaching Certification (Secondary English and Social Studies) (inactive)