By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
In the emerging field of Fashion Law, “suits” aren’t always lawsuits.
Greta Hogan, a 3L at Michigan State University College of Law, has “fashioned” a niche for herself in this new area of law where attorneys specialize in advising and representing designers, fashion brands, and individuals.
While Hogan once seemed destined to become a fashion designer, her passion for the law was a priority.
“I enjoy interacting with diverse groups of individuals, which the legal field allows me to do,” she says. “More importantly, I’ve always wanted to be a voice for individuals in a system that has the ability to change their lives.”
After attending Fordham Law School’s Fashion Law two-week boot camp last year, Hogan launched a personal blog, The Fashion Docket, (www.fashiondocket.com). A source for providing legal news within the multi-billion-dollar fashion industry, her venture has provided a platform to showcase her legal writing and research skills, knowledge of Fashion Law, and networking opportunities.
“While Michigan may not be the fashion mecca, my blog has given me the opportunity to connect with attorneys and designers across the world that are interested or involved in the fashion industry,” she says. “It’s also an avenue to help release the everyday stress of law school.”
Hogan is thoroughly enjoying her MSU Law experience. A member of the Arbitration Team, she was previously on the Mediation Team, where she represented MSU Law at the International Mediation Competition in London; and was a member of a three-person mediator team that was awarded first place at the Muskegon Prison Mediation Competition.
“Since the first day I visited MSU Law, I was drawn to the faculty, staff, and students,” she says. “Not only are people willing to help, but all are self-motivated, determined individuals. The program offers endless support and opportunities in a wide range of legal fields, even Fashion Law, which until recently was not recognized as a legal field of practice.”
Hogan’s hands-on experience in several different legal fields and tech ventures has given her a well-rounded understanding of current and future legal systems.
She spent five months as a 2L student clinician at the MSU First Amendment Legal Clinic where she taught 80 high school students about First Amendment issues, including student free speech and social media, student press rights, intellectual property, privacy, and defamation.
“Since writing an appeal on defamation and successfully completing my first year Research, Writing and Advocacy course in an intellectual property specialization, I knew First Amendment issues sparked my interest,” she says. “Many of these issues are prevalent in the fashion industry, such as trademark, misappropriation, defamation, and privacy – wearable tech issues are a hot topic right now.”
This past summer, Revision Legal, an Internet and intellectual property law firm with offices in St. Joseph and Traverse City, gave her the opportunity to craft blog posts on trademark, copyright, and Internet matters; topics included infringement on Etsy, trademark of a username on Twitter, and trade dress protection.
A highlight of the experience was taking part in a Fashion Law podcast at the invitation of Revision Legal partners Eric Misterovich and John DiGiacomo.
“It was an awesome opportunity to showcase my knowledge on current legal issues within the fashion industry,” she says.
When her Fashion Docket blog took third place in an MSU Law Social Media contest sponsored by the MSU Law Career Services Office, Professor Dan Linna, director of the MSU LegalRnD program, invited Hogan to help with the summer Career Services Jumpstart program. After a successful summer helping incoming students with their resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, she has continued working in the office.
Her work as a Student Navigator with ZeekBeek, an online legal marketplace serving as the Member Directory for the State Bar of Michigan, and also with a new Law Student Directory, allows her to marry her skills in technology and the legal field.
Hogan currently works as a law clerk with East Lansing attorney Richard Rashid, who primarily handles plaintiff’s personal injury cases. She handles personal injury matters, including premises liability, auto accidents, and dog bites; and participates in initial client intakes, conducts legal research, communicates with people involved in the case, and composes legal memos and court documents.
“This position has provided me with practical experience, client contact, and the ability to gain tips and tricks from an attorney who has successfully practiced law for over 40 years,” she says.
With an undergrad degree, magna cum laude, in criminal justice and political science from Youngstown State University, Hogan had always had a desire to work in the public sector representing individuals who can’t afford an attorney. A four-month externship at the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office last year equipped her with excellent litigation skills and with experience on the record representing clients in misdemeanor matters, she says.
“This experience was by far one of the most rewarding,” she says. “It forced me out of my comfort zone and into my role as a litigator. The judges, attorneys, and court staff I worked with over the summer were extremely helpful.”
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, where her parents still reside, Hogan currently makes her home in Okemos and enjoys life in the Lansing area.
“Monthly wine tastings at Dusty’s with my friends have been a plus! However, the area has provided me with diverse resources and a sense of community to help me feel more at home,” she says. “A fashion incubator and retail showroom, The Runway, recently opened in downtown Lansing – nothing beats having the opportunity to share time with local designers and gain creative insight.”
In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, exercising, attending sporting events, and blogging; and through her role as president of the MSU Law Student Bar Association has helped raise funds for the Lansing Boys and Girls Club, collected goods for the Greater Lansing Food Bank, and worked with the Capital Area Humane Society.
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