Student eager for U.S. court externship

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

Law student Shelby Struble’s first career was in the financial world, working for six years at Flagstar Bank in Troy. She started as a teller and ending as a corporate accountant in investment securities.

“Flagstar cared about my professional growth throughout my six-year career. I had many people supporting me along the way, even when that meant leaving to pursue law school,” she said. “Taking time between undergraduate and law school to gain professional work experience is a decision I’m glad I made.

“By doing so, I felt well equipped to take on the responsibility that comes with law school.”

Struble also has had tremendous support on the home front.

“The confidence my husband has in my abilities drove me to take the leap of faith and attend law school,” she said “He’s always willing to be a sounding board when I’m struggling to synthesize a topic or articulate my thoughts into writing, which helps me better understand the material.

“He knows when I need a reminder to step away from the books and make time to prioritize my mental health, that is just as important as the time I put into school.”

Struble also takes inspiration from her late uncle, Rudolph F.X. Migliore, an attorney in Commack, N.Y., who died in 2020.

“My uncle had an inspiring passion for representing his community and prided himself on treating his clients like family,” she said.

Now in her 1L year at Detroit Mercy Law, Struble appreciates the collaborative learning environment.

“I’m happy to be surrounded by other students that are eager to learn and professors that are invested in helping us reach our potential,” she said. “Each department is responsive and through their actions, I know Detroit Mercy Law’s goal is to support the students on their unique path.”  

Struble is particularly interested in the field of criminal law.

“I’ve always followed and researched criminal cases, so it’s been an interesting progression using what I’ve learned in school and analyzing them through a legal lens,” she said. “My criminal law professor, Leslie Scott, was always open to discussing real-life criminal cases with me, which helped me engage with the material and get adept at thinking like a lawyer.

“I’m looking forward to being her Teaching Assistant for the Fall 2022 semester and being allowed to aid in the learning process and learn from the students.”

She is looking forward to her upcoming externship for Judge Helene N. White, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to learn from such a well-respected woman in the legal profession,” Struble said. “I’m eager to dedicate that time to refining my legal research and writing skills and incorporating the invaluable feedback from Judge White.”

Her ultimate career goal will involve oral advocacy of some kind.

“There’s something special about presenting a well-articulated argument and the challenges that come with it,” she said. “I’m leaning towards pursuing litigation and one day becoming a trial lawyer, but getting hands-on experience is crucial in deciding what will be the best fit for me.

“I’ve always thought of the law as an artistic process as it promotes creativity through crafting arguments,” she added. “Studying law presents the opportunity to facilitate justice through collaboration, research, reading, writing, analysis, and advocacy. Using these skills to help someone resolve their problem gives this profession meaning.”

A member of the Women’s Law Caucus, Struble said she enjoys being surrounded by women rooting for each other and offering support when challenges arise; and hearing practicing women lawyers speak about their experiences.

An alumna of Cousino High School in Warren, Struble holds an undergrad degree in psychology from Oakland University, a major that she has found to be valuable in law school.

“It taught me skills such as effectively encoding, storing, and retrieving the massive amount of information presented in the first semester of school,” she said. “I believe communication is paramount in the legal profession and having a background in psychology will help me better listen to and understand my future client’s needs.”

Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic has required adaptability both in her family life and in her studies.

“My husband and I got married in February 2020 then both began working from home shortly after. We each needed a domain that allowed us to focus, so plenty of renovations and re-arranging took place,” she said. “The summer before school started, I created a serene space in my house dedicated to online classes and studying.”

A native of Warren, where she and husband make their home, Struble relishes living and studying in the Metro Detroit area.

“Detroit has it all — heart, culture, diversity, and a dynamic history,” she said. “Some of my favorite aspects are the diverse art collections at the DIA, the beautiful Fox Theater, and being the home of legendary musicians, my favorite being The Temptations.”

In her leisure time, Struble is a painter and also enjoys stand-up comedy shows — “But nothing beats a night-in enjoying a home-cooked meal and playing a card game with my family,” she said.