Detroit Mercy Law student Mackenzie Beckett enjoys playing golf with her mom, Connie Skandalaris; the two of them volunteer with Variety-the Children’s Charity.
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Legal News
Mackenzie Beckett’s first taste of the law was in American History classes at Cranbrook Kingswood High School—and she went on to earn her undergrad degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from James Madison College at Michigan State University, with a minor in European Studies.
She dipped a toe in legal waters during her senior year of high school working for Adam Devlin Law in Bingham Farms, following the fellow Cranbrook alum to learn about his day-to-day work.
“Adam is more of a general practitioner, so I was able to see many different areas of law,” she says.
She then spent close to three years at Potter, DeAgostino & Clark in Auburn Hills, working for her father's friend Steve Potter.
“I started off as a file clerk, which I genuinely enjoyed. I was able to look through all of the files and get a basic understanding of what happens,” she says. “I continued to work for him for the next five years, and eventually worked my way to a law clerk of sorts.
I’m extremely thankful to have been able to work from the ground up at a law firm, which gives me an extreme appreciation for supporting staff at law firms.”
For eight months before law school, she worked part-time as a legal assistant at Herman Law; and even spent five months as a substitute teacher in Troy.
“What I really learned from it was the new generation of kids is nothing like my generation. There is definitely a gap with expectations, but they are extremely creative and forward thinking because they have so much more access than I did,” she says. “I had a great time being around and trying to teach the next generation—but, they definitely made me feel old because I had no idea the terms they were using.”
Beckett, who will graduate from Detroit Mercy Law next year, has appreciated the close-knit feel of the law school—and the added convenience of everything in one building, and professors only a few steps away.
“I genuinely enjoy the community the most. Everyone studies together, and it does not feel like a competitive environment,” she says. “We all look out for each other, and it’s the same with the professors. I truly feel like the professors I’ve had want me to win.
They’ve all taken so much time out of their days to sit and help me understand concepts and materials. They’ve never told me their office hours are over, or they need to leave.”
She also has relished the opportunities to gain real world experience, and has taken the Trademark and Entrepreneurship clinic—returning for the winter semester as an advanced clinician—and alternative dispute resolution.
“I’m passionate about the law because not everything has an answer,” she says. “My mind has always been A + B = C, that's why I’ve always excelled at math. But the law is challenging and ever-changing, and I have the chance to be part of the change.
“I’m also passionate about the law because I will be able to help people in a meaningful way—I’ll have the ability to help people who don't have the answer or are scared of the future,” Beckett says. “Whatever I do next, I know that I will be using my education and everything my mom taught me to help others in any way possible.”
In last year’s summer internship with Judge Richard Caretti at the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Macomb County, Beckett helped draft decisions for the Business Court, reading the briefs attached to the parties' motions and writing a memorandum regarding the arguments presented before the motion calls.
“I really enjoyed being able to read what comes into the court, and I believe it helped me decide that the most important thing about practicing law is reading over your documents and using spell check,” she says.
Serving on the Moot Court Board of Advocates helped her overcome a fear of public speaking.
“Moot Court taught me that as long as you’re prepared and know what you are talking about, you’ll be fine,” she says. “I’m currently serving the education and outreach part of Moot Court, and I’m just excited I get to help those who might have the same fear, or the fear they will be embarrassed in some way. Moot Court is a great tool to become an advocate, but it’s also the best way to overcome fears you might not know you had.”
While she currently does not have a specific legal field of interest, she knows she will always want to give back.
“Whether I’m a public servant, or work in private practice, I will always donate my time and skills to help those less fortunate,” she says. “My goal is to become the best at what I do. I want to focus on one area of law and practice so much, that I’m the number one person in my field. I know it will take a lot of time and energy, but I’m willing to do it to achieve my goal. Now what that field is, I don’t know yet.”
Originally from Troy, Beckett currently lives in Birmingham, and enjoys spending time with her sisters Jaimee and Hayley, and nephews JJ, 7, and Asher, 5.
“I simply love watching them grow and develop interests,” the proud aunt says.
She pays particular tribute to her parents.
“My dad, Jeffery Beckett was at every single sporting event, and everywhere else I needed him. When I told him I wanted to play tennis, he took me to a tennis court every single day and would play with me. When I was struggling mentally, he would sit and talk—my mom was also the best at this. I ‘ve always been able to count on my dad and everyone else in my family.”
She calls her mother, Connie Skandalaris, “the most amazing woman to have ever walked this earth.”
“She has always taken care of our family, but also the community. She started working with Variety when I was younger and started Variety Feeds Kids when I was in fifth grade. She has never stopped helping the community and is currently starting Variety Being You Being Strong with her friend David King. I am utterly in awe of her heart and her ability to leave the world better than when she found it,” Beckett says.
“Having the mother I had, volunteering your time was not an option, it’s a way of life and second nature. My mom has been heavily involved in Variety the Children's Charity for as long as I can remember.”
Beckett spent every birthday it at the Variety Bike Party, helping run games, face paint, and hand out bikes. She also attended meetings at the Variety Myoelectric Center, where she met the first child to receive a prosthetic arm.
When Beckett was in elementary school, her mother and a friend started Variety—Kids Helping Kids, a 5-kilometer fund-raiser. And when she was in fifth grade, her mother and friend launched Variety Feeds Kids, that has helped children in Pontiac, with donations from Meijer and volunteers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, and trustees from the Oakland County Jail.
“This has been the program that has affected me the most,” Beckett says, who would help pack and distribute food. “There was a huge distrust and gap between the law enforcement and these kids. But, as time went on, every student hugged and gave high-fives to the police officers, thanking them for the food and being a smiling face in the hallway.”
The newest launch is Variety—Being You Being Strong, teaching the importance of mental health.
A state champion tennis player, Beckett enjoys staying active and playing many sports, including softball on the Maddin Hauser team, and volleyball and kickball through Detroit Social Club. Golf is another passion, especially hitting the links with her family. And the former Spartan attends every MSU football game and basketball game if possible.
“I also enjoy reading — when I don't have to read law books,” she says with a smile.
But perhaps her biggest supporter is Walter, her miniature Dachshund.
“I love watching him run and teaching him new skills—he makes me smile every time I walk through the door,” she says.
She dipped a toe in legal waters during her senior year of high school working for Adam Devlin Law in Bingham Farms, following the fellow Cranbrook alum to learn about his day-to-day work.
“Adam is more of a general practitioner, so I was able to see many different areas of law,” she says.
She then spent close to three years at Potter, DeAgostino & Clark in Auburn Hills, working for her father's friend Steve Potter.
“I started off as a file clerk, which I genuinely enjoyed. I was able to look through all of the files and get a basic understanding of what happens,” she says. “I continued to work for him for the next five years, and eventually worked my way to a law clerk of sorts.
I’m extremely thankful to have been able to work from the ground up at a law firm, which gives me an extreme appreciation for supporting staff at law firms.”
For eight months before law school, she worked part-time as a legal assistant at Herman Law; and even spent five months as a substitute teacher in Troy.
“What I really learned from it was the new generation of kids is nothing like my generation. There is definitely a gap with expectations, but they are extremely creative and forward thinking because they have so much more access than I did,” she says. “I had a great time being around and trying to teach the next generation—but, they definitely made me feel old because I had no idea the terms they were using.”
Beckett, who will graduate from Detroit Mercy Law next year, has appreciated the close-knit feel of the law school—and the added convenience of everything in one building, and professors only a few steps away.
“I genuinely enjoy the community the most. Everyone studies together, and it does not feel like a competitive environment,” she says. “We all look out for each other, and it’s the same with the professors. I truly feel like the professors I’ve had want me to win.
They’ve all taken so much time out of their days to sit and help me understand concepts and materials. They’ve never told me their office hours are over, or they need to leave.”
She also has relished the opportunities to gain real world experience, and has taken the Trademark and Entrepreneurship clinic—returning for the winter semester as an advanced clinician—and alternative dispute resolution.
“I’m passionate about the law because not everything has an answer,” she says. “My mind has always been A + B = C, that's why I’ve always excelled at math. But the law is challenging and ever-changing, and I have the chance to be part of the change.
“I’m also passionate about the law because I will be able to help people in a meaningful way—I’ll have the ability to help people who don't have the answer or are scared of the future,” Beckett says. “Whatever I do next, I know that I will be using my education and everything my mom taught me to help others in any way possible.”
In last year’s summer internship with Judge Richard Caretti at the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Macomb County, Beckett helped draft decisions for the Business Court, reading the briefs attached to the parties' motions and writing a memorandum regarding the arguments presented before the motion calls.
“I really enjoyed being able to read what comes into the court, and I believe it helped me decide that the most important thing about practicing law is reading over your documents and using spell check,” she says.
Serving on the Moot Court Board of Advocates helped her overcome a fear of public speaking.
“Moot Court taught me that as long as you’re prepared and know what you are talking about, you’ll be fine,” she says. “I’m currently serving the education and outreach part of Moot Court, and I’m just excited I get to help those who might have the same fear, or the fear they will be embarrassed in some way. Moot Court is a great tool to become an advocate, but it’s also the best way to overcome fears you might not know you had.”
While she currently does not have a specific legal field of interest, she knows she will always want to give back.
“Whether I’m a public servant, or work in private practice, I will always donate my time and skills to help those less fortunate,” she says. “My goal is to become the best at what I do. I want to focus on one area of law and practice so much, that I’m the number one person in my field. I know it will take a lot of time and energy, but I’m willing to do it to achieve my goal. Now what that field is, I don’t know yet.”
Originally from Troy, Beckett currently lives in Birmingham, and enjoys spending time with her sisters Jaimee and Hayley, and nephews JJ, 7, and Asher, 5.
“I simply love watching them grow and develop interests,” the proud aunt says.
She pays particular tribute to her parents.
“My dad, Jeffery Beckett was at every single sporting event, and everywhere else I needed him. When I told him I wanted to play tennis, he took me to a tennis court every single day and would play with me. When I was struggling mentally, he would sit and talk—my mom was also the best at this. I ‘ve always been able to count on my dad and everyone else in my family.”
She calls her mother, Connie Skandalaris, “the most amazing woman to have ever walked this earth.”
“She has always taken care of our family, but also the community. She started working with Variety when I was younger and started Variety Feeds Kids when I was in fifth grade. She has never stopped helping the community and is currently starting Variety Being You Being Strong with her friend David King. I am utterly in awe of her heart and her ability to leave the world better than when she found it,” Beckett says.
“Having the mother I had, volunteering your time was not an option, it’s a way of life and second nature. My mom has been heavily involved in Variety the Children's Charity for as long as I can remember.”
Beckett spent every birthday it at the Variety Bike Party, helping run games, face paint, and hand out bikes. She also attended meetings at the Variety Myoelectric Center, where she met the first child to receive a prosthetic arm.
When Beckett was in elementary school, her mother and a friend started Variety—Kids Helping Kids, a 5-kilometer fund-raiser. And when she was in fifth grade, her mother and friend launched Variety Feeds Kids, that has helped children in Pontiac, with donations from Meijer and volunteers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, and trustees from the Oakland County Jail.
“This has been the program that has affected me the most,” Beckett says, who would help pack and distribute food. “There was a huge distrust and gap between the law enforcement and these kids. But, as time went on, every student hugged and gave high-fives to the police officers, thanking them for the food and being a smiling face in the hallway.”
The newest launch is Variety—Being You Being Strong, teaching the importance of mental health.
A state champion tennis player, Beckett enjoys staying active and playing many sports, including softball on the Maddin Hauser team, and volleyball and kickball through Detroit Social Club. Golf is another passion, especially hitting the links with her family. And the former Spartan attends every MSU football game and basketball game if possible.
“I also enjoy reading — when I don't have to read law books,” she says with a smile.
But perhaps her biggest supporter is Walter, her miniature Dachshund.
“I love watching him run and teaching him new skills—he makes me smile every time I walk through the door,” she says.
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