Law student Yvonne Tirakian was a 3-time national medalist in undergrad, and swam the 800-meter freestyle at the 2017 U.S. Masters Summer Nationals in Minneapolis, Minn. and 1650-yard freestyle and 1000-yard freestyle at the 2019 U.S. Masters Nationals in Mesa, Ariz.
– Photo courtesy of Yvonne Tirakian
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
A 2L student at Wayne Law, Yvonne Tirakian’s particular passion is constitutional law. She is especially interested in constitutional torts, personal injury claims based on a violation of a person’s constitutional rights. She has worked on constitutional torts against government officials using the federal statute 42 USC 1983.
“There are massive ‘access to justice’ gaps that have resulted from years of discriminatory practices,” she says. “I feel the U.S. Constitution is a weapon that can be used to be the voice of the voiceless.”
While her long-term dream is to practice for the ACLU, she wants a career that increases access to justice, ameliorates social inequalities, and protects vulnerable populations. “I was raised in a household that values hard work, integrity, and dedication,” she says. “I was also taught to recognize my own privilege, understand there are some things I can’t and will not experience, and use that knowledge to be kind, caring, compassionate, and do right by others, especially those in need.”
Tirakian is the social media coordinator for the Wayne Law chapter of If/When/How, a national organization dedicated to training and educating lawyers to become effective advocates for reproductive justice. The organization recently hosted a national event where medical sociologist Dr. Janet Hankin presented research on infant mortality rates in the City of Detroit. “Her research showed Detroit’s infant mortality rate is almost three times higher than the rest of the United States, which is huge, considering the U.S. has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world when compared to other well-developed nations,” Tirakian says.
A student attorney for an Elder Law Advocacy Center, Tirakian finds it rewarding to solve legal problems for the elderly. “Many of my clients have been taken advantage of, live alone, or have disabilities,” she says. “Our elderly population is important, and it’s astonishing to see how poorly they are treated at times. Elder abuse is real, and it’s important to stand up for these individuals.”
As an article editor for the school’s Journal of Law in Society, her favorite part is writing her own article that focuses on reparations for African-American slave descendants. “Specifically, the benefits and implications of the adoption of H.R. 40, a bill that would, if passed, establish a federal commission to study and develop plans to impose reparations. It’s a very exciting topic, and I’m enjoying the process,” she says.
Earlier this year, she clerked for Excolo Law, where she drafted complaints and motions in the area of constitutional torts, and assisted in drafting complaints related to prisoner civil rights and constitutional violations by law enforcement, which were filed in federal court.
She is now clerking at the Law Office of Keith Altman, doing legal research, drafting complaints and motions, and sitting in on court hearings. “The cases are very vast, but the majority are tort-based and very exciting,” she says.
Swimming has long been a passion, and in undergrad she was a 3-time national medalist. While studies have curtailed her swimming, she notes that when she is in the water, it clears her mind. She also enjoys teaching swimming lessons, coaching, and teaching water aerobics classes.
“I’ve loved the sport since I was about 8, mainly because it doesn’t require me to make any difficult decisions. When my coaches write a workout, I just follow it and give it my all. I get to put my energy into something I like, and I can sort of go on autopilot—no thinking, just focusing on the next set,” she says.
“I hate slacking, so I’ve always been labeled the ‘work horse’ of my group, even if I’m the slowest one in the lane. Whether you’re alone or with a team, it’s important to be able to start and finish a task, no matter how difficult.
“This also carries over into my academic life. My drive carries over into the classroom and my work in the legal – always give your best, always push yourself, and always do what is right, even if it is unpopular.”
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