By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Law student Danielle Anderson notes there are not a lot of Black women from Detroit in the legal field — and decided to use her ability for effective verbal and written communication to advocate for members of her community and increase diversity in the legal field.
She started that trajectory with an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Michigan.
“One of my favorite things to do is learn about groups of people and the way those groups interact, so studying sociology came naturally,” she said. “The sociology department had an expansive list of courses that not only allowed me to think critically, but also gave me the chance to work with people from diverse backgrounds. My focus in sociology was ‘Law, Justice, and Social Change’ which are all entangled.”
Now a 2L student at Detroit Mercy Law, Anderson said she chose to attend this school for a few reasons: its location in her hometown, the reputation for producing well-rounded members of the legal community and a smaller campusthat yielded tight-knit relationships between the faculty and staff and herself.
A junior member of the Moot Court Board of Advocates, Anderson also is a member of the Programming Committee of the Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) and a member of the Delta Theta Phi law fraternity.
Determined to give back to her community, Anderson serves as secretary on the executive board of the Black Law Students Association.
“Before COVID-19, our members participated in a program called Street Law in which we went to two local high schools and conducted mini-lessons that introduced students to the law and some legal issues,” she said. “Since the pandemic, BLSA has remained committed to serving the community and we’re having a cleaning supply drive to collect materials that can be distributed to schools that are having in-person classes.”
Over the summer, Anderson interned with Judge Linda V. Parker at the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“The most fulfilling part was helping the law clerks with COVID-19-related compassionate releases,” Anderson said. “My internship helped me grow as a legal researcher and writer, and I witnessed in real time how quickly the criminal justice system can work.”
Anderson’s career goal is to work at and grow with a firm in Detroit.
“I don’t yet have a specific practice area that catches my eye the most, but I take pleasure in researching a plethora of legal issues,” she said.
School and work during the pandemic have been a roller coaster, she noted.
“Initially sitting at home all day sounded like bliss — we’re now entering the 10th month of our lockdown and I’m ready to safely get back into the swing of things,” Anderson said.
Originally from the east side of Detroit, Anderson now lives in Southfield, where her favorite thing to do is relax with her family.
“I got married during winter break so my family grew a little more and it’s been amazing spending time — even if it’s virtually — with my quarantine companions,” she said.
In addition to the volunteer work with BLSA, Anderson helps to distribute clothes and food every third month in Pontiac.
And in July, as a response to COVID-19, Anderson, along with her mother and oldest sister, started Shell’s Stitches, LLC, a company that produces hand-sewn personal protective equipment.
“The company gave us something positive to look forward to,” she said.
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