Changing Course: Student turns from pre-med focus to a career in the law

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

When she was an undergrad at Michigan State University, Kirstie Magyari focused on pre-med studies – until an internship as a Juvenile Court officer at the Family Division of the Ingham County Circuit Court turned her interests to law.

“A law degree opens many opportunities for professional growth and employment, even beyond being a lawyer,” she says. “Besides being an advocate for others, I am interested in business and real estate development. A legal education is invaluable and can only take me further in the business world.

“My career goals are to one day own my own law firm, focusing on business and commercial real estate, while still being able to assist those in need.”

A rising 2L at Wayne State University School of Law, Magyari selected Wayne for its “diverse population, scholarship availability, and competitive nature, along with the superior professors,” she says.

“I enjoy being involved in such a community- based school, located in Detroit, during a time when the city is on the rise. Wayne Law is great when it comes to providing scholarships, which certainly decreases the financial burden placed on students.”

During her 1L year, Magyari served as a representative on the Student Bar Association Board of Governors – and this coming year, will serve as treasurer.

“The board allows me to be a voice for fellow students and a representative of my class,” she says. “I’m able to facilitate communications between faculty and students in an effort to share ideas on how to better Wayne Law.  

“We also plan several school-wide events to bring the Wayne Law community closer together, including the Gala and the Ambulance Chase 5K.”

Magyari spent this summer as a student intern at the Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic (LAPC), a medical-legal partnership between Wayne Law and the Karmanos Cancer Center. She enjoyed working with low-income cancer patients to address their legal needs, and will return as an advanced student in the fall.

“I’ve spent time in the past volunteering with children and various medical institutions, but seeing how medicine and law can work together in this environment to improve patient outcome was truly eye-opening and inspirational,” she says.

She also worked this summer as a law clerk at The Law Firm, PLLC, in her native Brighton, gaining more hands-on legal experience. 

In her leisure time, Magyari enjoys spending time with family and friends, and travel.

“I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel and learn about different cultures and gain insight on different lifestyles,” she says.

A relatively new resident of Detroit, she enjoys exploring the Motor City.

“There’s so much to see and do, not to mention how quickly the city is growing – there’s something new to do everyday,” she says.

“I enjoy how rapidly the area is developing and the potential opportunities for success. Being able to live in a diverse, prideful area with so much energy shows me how hard work and determination can make such a difference.”

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