Law Student Turns Lived Experience Into Advocacy

Law Student Turns Lived Experience Into Advocacy

For Eric John Roberts, the law has always been personal, practical and rooted in the lives of people who need it most.

As a first-generation law student and a first-generation college student, Roberts arrived at The University of Toledo College of Law with a deep commitment to public service shaped long before law school.

Raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in public and nonprofit administration from Grand Valley State University. He later completed a graduate certificate in election administration through the University of Minnesota.

At just 18 years old, he was elected to his local school board for Kenowa Hills Public Schools, where he served for six years and gained firsthand experience with special education law and disability rights.

"I realized early on how much power school systems have over students' lives," Roberts said. "And how often are students with disabilities the ones most affected when systems don't work the way they should. I learned a ton about the ADA and IDEA, and that's one of the reasons that I chose to go to law school to pursue some type of education law, some type of disability law."

That experience set the course for Roberts' legal education.

At Toledo Law, he has built a strong academic record, earning a 3.5 grade point average and being placed on the dean's list each semester. He is president of the National Lawyers Guild and a member of the Student Bar Association, roles that reflect his commitment to justice-oriented lawyering and community engagement.

Roberts' passion for disability rights and equity has also taken shape through scholarship. This academic year, he authored or co-authored two law review articles accepted for publication, a rare achievement for a law student in a single semester.

His first article, published in the November 2025 edition of Writing on the Stonewall, the State Bar of Michigan's LGBTQ legal journal, explores whether gender dysphoria should be recognized as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"Legal Protections for Gender Dysphoria: Americans with Disabilities Act as Bulwark for Trans Rights" analyzes emerging federal case law and outlines how expanded ADA protections could strengthen civil rights for transgender individuals.

Roberts also co-published another article in that same edition alongside Zoe Hayes, a University of Michigan law student, titled "Marriage Equality is Under Attack. Here's How We Fight Back."

This article examines how the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling could have a ripple effect, endangering the right of same-sex couples to marry. It also details how the group Michigan Marriage Equality plans a petition drive for a 2028 amendment to the state constitution, ensuring marriage equality under Michigan law should Obergefell v. Hodges be overturned.

"At its core, the law should make it harder to exclude people," Roberts said. "Whether that's in schools, workplaces or public life, fairness should be the starting point."

At Toledo Law, Roberts found a learning environment supportive of his philosophy. He credits the college's small size and faculty mentorship for helping him thrive, particularly his professors who encouraged critical thinking and real-world application. The professors have encouraged him to think beyond the legal issue facing the client and consider what other needs attorneys can fill.

"I really felt that there was an ethos here of wanting to serve clients holistically, and that's what drew me to Toledo Law," Roberts said.

Following his graduation, Roberts said he plans to return to Michigan to pursue public defense work while continuing his involvement in disability advocacy. He is also completing a disability studies certificate through the College of Graduate Studies, further strengthening the interdisciplinary foundation of his legal training.

For incoming law students, Roberts offered simple advice: build a path that works for you.

"Law school doesn't have to look the same for everyone," he said. "There are supports here, and there's room to shape your experience in a way that honors who you are and what you want to do."