Forget everything you think you know about law school.
In this classroom, are no grillings over the Socratic-method from John Houseman, no intimidating 1,000-page casebooks, no outlandish tuition bills and — best of all — absolutely no midterms. In fact, for the price of a decent pizza, you can spend six weeks rubbing elbows with judges and top-tier attorneys who are there specifically to offer answers, insight and enlightenment.
Welcome to the People’s Law School, where the gavel meets the gallery, the fine print of legalese starts to make sense, and the complex legal landscape becomes far less frightening and much more — dare we say? — fun.
For more than two decades, the Sinas Dramis Law Firm in Lansing has been proving that you don’t need a juris doctor to understand your basic and accessible rights. After a brief, pandemic-induced adjournment, the program was called back into session in 2025, and the momentum for the upcoming 2026 session is already building.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE LECTURE HALL
At its heart, the People’s Law School is a community masterclass designed to strip away the mystery of the legal system. However, it’s slightly out of order to call it a seminar.
“What makes it unique is the environment,” said Stephen Sinas, partner and personal injury attorney at Sinas Dramis. “It’s not a seminar or a sales pitch — it’s a conversation. People learn directly from experienced attorneys and judges, get straightforward answers, and leave feeling more informed and empowered.”
The program is a living embodiment of the firm’s “We Do More” philosophy. Since its founding in 1951, Sinas Dramis has breathed life into its mission of outreach and education. For Sinas, People’s Law School is a way to honor that legacy by providing the public with practical legal knowledge — breaking down complex legal concepts into clear, practical, actionable information, while also making attorneys and judges more approachable.
“At its core, People’s Law School reflects our commitment to serving the community — not just when someone needs a lawyer, but by also helping people feel confident and informed before they ever do,” Sinas said.
BACK IN SESSION
The program’s return last year was a major milestone for the firm. After the world hit pause in 2020, bringing the community back together in a classroom setting in 2025 was a high priority for Sinas Dramis partner and personal injury attorney Katie Tucker.
“The response was incredibly positive — from both attendees and presenters — reinforcing how valuable the program is to the community,” Tucker said. “Because of that enthusiasm, we’re excited to continue it again this fall and build on that momentum.”
The 2026 school is slated for the fall, with weekly Monday evening sessions set at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development in East Lansing. The $25 flat fee gives attendees access to however many sessions they choose to attend, as well as accompanying materials.
Each session includes a focused presentation on a legal topic from an expert, followed by a question-and-answer period. Past topics have ranged from personal injury, no-fault and criminal law to landlord-tenant law, estate planning and family law.
“Each session is led by experienced legal professionals, typically including at least one attorney and one judge,” Sinas said. “This combination provides participants with both practical legal insight and a judicial perspective on how the law is applied.”
The high-caliber lineup of guest speakers is a significant part of the draw and helps humanize a system that often feels distant and mysterious. Sinas said the lineup is based on feedback from past participants and their needs, and the curriculum changes from year to year are reason attendees frequently return.
“This feedback-driven approach helps us shape sessions that are practical, timely and directly responsive to the questions people are actually asking,” he said.
EMPOWERMENT OVER INTIMIDATION
For Tucker, the most rewarding part of the program is watching the lightbulb moments when a complex concept is demystified for an attendee.
“Participants consistently share that they enjoy getting to know judges and attorneys on a more personal level, as well as hearing questions from fellow attendees shaped by real-life experiences,” she said. “They also appreciate the variety and practicality of the topics covered. Many attendees have said that People’s Law School helped them feel more informed, more confident and better equipped to navigate legal situations should they arise.”
And that’s kind of the point.
As personal injury attorneys, Sinas said, the goal of the firm is to serve as advocates for the aggrieved, which is a responsibility that goes beyond representation. It means investing in education, prevention and community outreach.
“Our work is rooted in a desire to help people during some of the most difficult moments in their lives,” he said. “People’s Law School is an extension of our role as advocates — not only for our clients, but for the broader community. By helping people better understand the law and their rights, we’re able to empower them with knowledge, build confidence and support better decision-making long before they ever need legal representation.”
TAKE THE STAND
The Class of 2026 for the People’s Law School will convene at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays from Oct. 5 through Nov. 9. Cost for the six weeks is $25. To register and for more information, visit sinasdramis.com/peoples-law-school-michigan.
Christopher Nagy
Christopher Nagy is the senior editor for 517 Business and M3 Group. He spent more than 25 years in the field of journalism working at every level of the newsroom. Despite that, he’s still a pretty good guy.
