By Chelsea Stein
Michigan State Spartans are known for many qualities, like our courage, determination, grit, and, above all, our sense of community. Alumni often seek opportunities to enrich our Green and White network, enabling the next generation of students to succeed in their time along the banks of the Red Cedar.
For Colleen Gomos (’07), partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, this means expanding opportunities for first-year students studying at the College of Law. She and her husband established the Colleen and Fred Gomos Scholarship fund in 2022 to help current and future students through the rigors of law school.
“Pursuing an advanced degree or a law degree is an important part of your life,” Gomos said. “And if a student is stressed financially while trying to navigate the challenges of law school, it can be difficult to succeed. My husband and I wanted to help take a layer of stress off of students and make an impact.”
Gomos says her time at MSU Law enabled her to succeed, thanks to the strength of the community around her—from dedicated faculty to a diverse class of students.
“I was very impressed by how invested our professors were in the success of students,” she said. “They were very accessible and supportive. I think overall the community was enriched because of the students attending MSU from all over the country and bringing with them a variety of experiences.”
At Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s headquarters in Chicago, Gomos leads its corporate team and commercial contracts and outsourcing team nationally. She’s been with the international law firm since 2012 and has practiced in the Midwest since earning her law degree.
Beyond the scholarship fund, Gomos also continues to pay it forward by hosting alumni receptions and networking events. This June, she’ll be welcoming MSU Law Dean Michael Sant’Ambrogio at a reception to engage with Chicago-based alumni and students.
“I’ve hosted at least three deans in my time at Seyfarth Shaw,” she said. “I’m always happy to volunteer the firm’s space or provide donations to support these types of events because they’re an opportunity for the dean to network with alumni and current students who are working in this area.”
“The Spartan Law community is essential to our ongoing success,” said Michael Sant’Ambrogio, dean of the College of Law. “From mentorship to philanthropy, our alumni continue to shape the future of legal education and the legal profession. Events like these offer meaningful opportunities to strengthen the bonds that connect generations of Spartan lawyers, and I’m deeply grateful to leaders like Colleen who generously open their doors—and their hearts—to support our students and fellow alumni.”
Gomos also spends time connecting with students, offering mentorship and advice, especially for those interested in corporate law or working in Chicago. Her biggest pieces of advice? Love what you do and respect your role in the field of law.
“First, being true to yourself and your interests is important. If you want to have a long career, you have to enjoy what you’re doing. Don’t be afraid to walk through doors when they open; have an open mind for what your path could look like because there are many roads you can take to end up in a place that is successful and fulfilling.
“Second,” she continued, “don’t forget the basics. Be responsible, work hard and take this job seriously. Understand the important role that we play in the lives or the business pursuits of our clients. If you have an appreciation for the level of responsibility that this job carries, you will be well served.”
Donors seeking more information on how to make a gift to the College of Law can email alumni@law.msu.edu.