By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
A legal intern at Williams & Knack, P.C., a small business law/litigation and estate planning/probate law firm in Brighton, Andrew Burrows enjoys working with business/corporate clients and local entrepreneurs.
“Helping people realize the dream of starting their own business is uniquely rewarding,” he says. “For many clients, their business plan is the culmination of years of thought and planning, and it’s really special to help them through the process to becoming their own boss.”
Burrows brings to the job both a law degree and an undergrad degree in Business Administration and Economics from Central Michigan University.
“I wanted a major that would benefit me in law practice,” he says. “Part of why I chose business school was I wanted to understand how to manage and run all facets of a business.
“I now work heavily with entrepreneurs in my job at Williams & Knack, and I think it gives them an advantage to have an attorney who can also aid them with the business side of their startup plans, not just the legal facets.”
Burrows graduated cum laude from MSU College of Law this past May, then took the bar exam in July.
“I’ve always enjoyed analytical studies and problem solving,” he says. “Economics is a deeply analytical major, as is the study of law. I really enjoy the problem solving aspect, but holistically I think being able to help people solve their legal issues and continue with their lives is the biggest draw for me.
“The law is typically an unknown for most people, and being able to help them navigate through their issues one-on-one and help put them at ease is a very rewarding way to interact with people in the community.”
His favorite part of law school was the relationships he made with fellow students.
“It’s a unique experience to be at a school with so many driven and talented people, and I’m fortunate to have gained many friends and colleagues through the experience,” he says.
He enjoyed serving as an editor on the Journal of Business and Securities Law.
“Last spring, we held a symposium on the unionization and business of NCAA including the ‘pay to play’ discussion regarding collegiate athletes – it was a very interesting conference with many knowledgeable sports law experts from across the country,” he says.
He also served on the e-board of the MSU College of Law Athletic Association (MSUCOLAA).
“It’s no secret that law school can be a stressful place, and organizing intramural teams and pick-up games during the week and on the weekends was a great way to get together and blow off some steam,” he says.
Burrows spent his 1L summer at the Attorney General's Office in Lansing, handling litigation work for the Corporate Oversight Division, where his main responsibilities consisted of legal research, drafting legal briefs, and creating legal memoranda. While there, he primarily worked on Medicaid/Medicare appeals cases and consumer protection litigation prosecuting illegal business practices.
“I got to work on some very interesting litigation, and I had the benefit of having a fantastic supervising attorney who really helped me improve my legal writing and other litigation skills,” he says.
The following fall, Burrows took a part-time position at Williams & Knack, and continued to work there through his 2L and 3L years, including summers, and to his present position with the firm.
“I really enjoy the work I currently do in business law, assisting entrepreneurs and wish to continue doing that,” he says. “And I thoroughly enjoy more rigorous corporate work, which becomes a reality as small businesses build and grow.
“Although I don’t do as much litigation on a daily basis as I did at the Attorney General’s Office, I enjoy litigation and would like to spend more time in the courtroom in the future.”
A native of Fenton and graduate of Fenton High School, Burrows recently moved from Lansing to Howell to be closer to the office. He and his girlfriend, Amber, share their home with their Pomeranian, Eevie.
“I’m looking to get more involved in Livingston County now that I’m back in the area,” he says. “When I was living in Fenton I volunteered through my church, and will likely do that in the community here.”
A big soccer fan, Burrows played in high school, throughout the United States on travel teams and on the CMU men’s club team. He also has worked as a soccer referee, and still plays and watches soccer in his free time.
“In the past I’ve volunteered to coach soccer for kids and at Fenton High School and would like to continue to do that,” he says. “I’m a big sports nut, not just with soccer, and watch pretty much every Detroit team throughout the year.”
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