Emily S. Horvath is a dedicated legal educator, experienced estate planning attorney, and passionate advocate for equity and community engagement. With a career spanning both the legal profession and academia, she has built a reputation for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Emily joined the firm in 2025 after a 20-year teaching career. She taught Wills, Estates, and Trusts, Business Organizations, and Estate Planning at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Her classes are grounded in real-world application, reflecting her deep expertise in the Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), the Michigan Trust Code (MTC), the Uniform Probate Code (UPC), and various business law frameworks including the Model Business Corporation Act (MBCA). Emily’s thoughtful curriculum design and accessible teaching style have earned her multiple accolades, including being named Faculty Advisor of the Year in both 2012 and 2013.
Before entering academia, Emily practiced law for several years, focusing on estate planning, tax strategies, and elder law. At firms in East Lansing and Okemos, she developed tailored plans for families across the wealth spectrum, offering compassionate counsel on Medicaid planning and post-death estate administration. Her legal acumen includes preparing complex federal estate tax returns and advocating for clients in probate court.
Beyond the classroom and courtroom, Emily is a civic-minded leader. She served as co-chair and festival director of Michigan Pride, Inc., leading statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy and celebration events.
A published legal scholar, Emily has co-authored multiple works on estate planning and administration, including Wills, Estates, And Trusts: Statutes, Cases, and Problems, a comprehensive textbook published by Carolina Academic Press. Her scholarship combines academic rigor with practical insights, always aiming to improve the lives of both practitioners and clients.
Emily earned her J.D., cum laude, from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University, where she also served as Managing Editor of Notes and Comments for the Law Review. She holds a B.A. in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from MSU’s James Madison College.
In addition to her legal work, Emily is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Mindfulness Meditation Coach, integrating mindfulness and well-being into both her professional and personal life.