Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Testimonials
Client testimonial:
I want to take time to thank all of you! I think this class is great and I'm so glad you were on my side. We are done with it (our IRS matter) - thanks to you people! Thanks again.
The following testimonials were collected from various course evaluations completed by Tax Clinic students from 2000 through present.
It is a great feeling to win a case. It is a stamp of approval, a vindication of your hard work that justifies the hours devoted to your client’s cause. And with each win, you grow exponentially in both knowledge and confidence, significantly benefitting your career. Winning a case is something that law students come across on a daily basis through lectures and readings, but these mediums pale in comparison to first-hand experience. This type of experience is paramount to developing into a good lawyer, and that is why I credit my participation in the tax and rental housing clinics at MSU Law as one of the most important facets in my development as an attorney. The real world experience that I received in the clinics taught me all the things that school and books could not. By showing rather than telling, the hands on experience offered by the clinics gave me the confidence and knowledge necessary to succeed in my legal career. Not only did I win a national tax competition thanks to the skills developed in the clinics, but they have also helped enormously in my post-law school career, such as with the six digit judgment I recently won for a client. In learning through experience in the clinic, I have developed a set of skills that are the foundation of my abilities as an attorney.
I thought the class was exceptionally well organized and very well taught. It gave an exceptional viewpoint with respect to the real world.
The website and tax manual, as well as Professor’s ability and eagerness to answer questions were great. This is a fantastic course that provides a law firm atmosphere. Working with clients was exciting and I recommend clinical study for all law students.
Professor Halloran has provided the students with a great opportunity to learn about the many issued involved with non-resident tax issues. She would answer our questions and point us to the appropriate research materials. We may have had a better understanding of issues if we had more time to fully research all the aspects of every person’s tax return. However, time constraints prevented us from being able to do so. The course was very demanding. We had 60+ tax returns a piece and had to balance this work with the concerns of clients. We also had the deadline of April 15 so that forced us to be motivated. Professor Halloran did a great job this semester. Not only did she have to teach us the issues, she answered countless questions from students and still had time to personally review over 500 tax returns. The Clinic could not function without her extraordinary work.
The tax challenge really contributed to a better understanding of the course materials. GO TEAM 27!!!
This is probably the most effective course I have ever taken. Excellent learning experience from excellent faculty/staff/professors!!!!!
The clinics have very knowledgeable professors.
Thank you for the kind recommendation letter. It was an accurate description of the outstanding clinical program offered at MSU. I learned a lot at the tax clinic this summer and highly recommend it to other students now. Again, thank you very much.
Professor Halloran, thank you for being a very special friend and mentor to Angela. We appreciate the guidance you bring to her life and how you believe and expressed the potential you see in her. We pray for Angela and are thankful that you are in her life.
Professor Halloran! I just would like to show how much I appreciate your kindness to do this for me. I’ve lived in the U.S. for 4 years but filing tax is one of the most complicated things for me. From this point, I’m very sure that MSU tax clinic is very helpful to many people, especially international student like me. Thank you again for helping me to file tax.
Dear Professor Halloran- It has been a pleasure to work for you this past semester. I am very appreciative for the recommendation. I k now that you took time from your break-neck schedule to prepare it for me. Thank you very much! Finally, thank you for making my transition to DCL easier. I was a little nervous about my transfer. However, having the opportunity to meet and work with you made me sure that I had made the right decision.
Words are simply not enough to express my gratitude for all the help and direction you have given me. Just want to say my experience at the tax clinic was very meaningful and practical. I owe it all to you. Thanks professor Halloran.
You have taught me so much about being a tax lawyer but more importantly you taught me to be a well rounded lawyer. I just can’t thank you enough!
Dear Michele Halloran & MaryAnn Pierce- Sorry for the typed letter, but I want to thank both of you, and I don’t think that I can be this inspired, such as it is, twice. Besides, this applies to both of you. I don’t even know how to begin to thank you for everything over these fast-paced widely instructive three years. I have learned so much from both of you about being an ethical, competent advocate for clients. But I have learned so much more as well. I have learned to negotiate, not just for my client, but for myself as well. I have learned that my grammar is the pits. I have learned that enthusiasm goes a long way to getting a project completed. I have learned grace after losing. I have learned to take from life what you want, not just what you need. I have learned how to be a compassionate teacher. I have learned to be tough. I have learned that I just have to have a plan and stick to it. I have learned that luck helps, but hard work helps more. I have learned that there is no such thing as writing, only rewriting. I have learned that Pierce will kiss a pig if it is for a good cause. And I have learned that a woman can never have too many purses. And I have learned that I am still learning. It is a continual process, but I enjoy it and face each new challenge with confidence because of my clinical and fellowship experience. So many students are so fortunate to have you guide them in law school. Even those who don’t realize, or appreciate how lucky they are. Law school would have been a radically different experience without the clinics and my mentors. I know it wouldn’t have half as fun or educational. And I can never pay you back for that. But I will certainly try—if not with money—at least by encouraging every law student I meet to enroll in clinical programs. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your dedication has made a better person and attorney, and I will be forever grateful for my years at the clinics.
My dear Professor Halloran—I am writing here to let you know that today Bangladesh has signed the tax treaty with the United States of America and it is a historical day for us. Thanks for all the help you have given me while I was working with you at the Tax Clinic. Our colleagues here together at the National Board of Revenue finally brought it together and your ambassador, Mr. Harry K. Thomas and the Chairman NBR has signed the treaty this afternoon. It feels great to be part of history and also to be able to help my country. I am sure you share my zest in this regard. Thanks again for being there and helping me to understand about the US tax system. I do believe that one person can actually make a difference.
Professor Halloran is proof that one person CAN make a difference!!! –The Clinic Confidential (Oct. 29, 2004). Vol 2 (2).
Dear Professor Halloran- It is my pleasure to inform you that I PASSED the Illinois bar. I want to thank you for much of your support and the hard work you put in me. Believe it or not you gave me so much motivation it incomprehensible. Please convey my regards to Professor Pierce as well. I am planning on starting my LLM program this January. Once again thank you so much for all your help in achieving my objectives.
You guys did such a great job to prepare me for this program. My professors have also been really impressed when I tell them about the tax clinic!!! They all think it is a wonderful idea and were amazed at the experience!!!
Dear Professors Halloran and Christian- Thank you for your letters recommending Parama Saovabha for admission to our Graduate Tax Program. He appears to be very well prepared for the program, and we have sent him an offer for admission. We believe that we can provide him with a truly excellent educational experience, and hope you will encourage him to attend.
Dear Professor Halloran- I really enjoyed your class. It’s clear you work hard to provide students with both practical material and a pleasant working atmosphere. I really appreciate your dedication; especially since no matter what specialty I pursue, most cases involving money will have subsidiary tax issues. I’m glad I had the opportunity to work with you.
Dear Professor Halloran- I am so sad. I am sitting here at the tax clinic, it’s now 7:00 pm, and I can’t hardly believe that my time is over. It has come so fast! Thank you for a wonderful learning experience over the past 8 months. Thank you!
Professor Halloran- Law School is finally over and the bar review has begun. I want to thank you for the wonderful opportunity you provided me in the Tax Clinic. After my first year of law school, I often felt that I would not return. You treated me as if I belonged in law school, and the difference it made on the past two years was remarkable. I will not forget my time in the Tax Clinic, or the change you made in my life. Thank you!
Professor Halloran- I have learned so much from you. I appreciate your guidance on my SBT paper. You have helped me to comprehend a subject matter that I thought might be beyond my understanding. Now I know that with a willing teacher that the learning of a difficult lesson is within reach.
I am one of the Indian students who was able to do my taxes by attending your tax workshop. I just wanted to express my appreciation for the help. It really made it a lot easier for a new international student like me. Thank you!
I did not want to leave Michigan without thanking you for all your help the last two semesters with the Tax Clinic, the directed study, numerous recommendations, and everything else. I will be taking two tax courses at the University of South Carolina this fall will likely think of you and the Tax Clinic numerous times during each class. There aren’t many opportunities to show appreciation during the semester, but know you are appreciated. With much gratitude!
Dear Professor Halloran- The tax clinic and tax competition provided excellent opportunities and learning experiences for me. I greatly appreciate all that you and Professor Wease taught me regarding the legal profession. Thank you!
Dear Professor Halloran- I just wanted to let you know how much I truly appreciate all your expertise and guidance as a professor and beyond. Thank you for all your help with my resume and cover letter and for sponsoring the great party at BDUB’S! We all had a wonderful time! Thank you!
Professor Halloran- Thanks for overseeing my directed study this semester. Also, I need to thank you once more for your mentorship last year during my semester at the tax clinic. You truly made a difference in my law school experience.
Professor Halloran – Thank you for all treats this semester! It was so nice of you to be so generous. Also, thank for a great learning experience.
Professor,
I hope this e-mail finds you well. As you know, after working with you at the clinic this summer I relocated to North Carolina to work with Bell, Davis, & Pitt. The purpose of this e-mail is two-fold.
First, I wanted to thank you for striving towards (and in my mind, accomplishing) your goal of ensuring that students who leave the tax clinic do so "practice ready." I had the opportunity to work on several tax matters while at BDP and I can assure you that without my experience at the clinic, I would have been far behind.
Second, I wanted to ask you for a favor. Kevin Williams, the hiring coordinator at BDP, has asked me for a list of references. Because of your unique roll as professor and supervising attorney, I immediately thought of you. With your permission, I would like to list you as a reference and provide Mr. Williams with your contact information so that he may contact you.
Please let me know at your convenience.
Best Regards,