(Photo courtesy of Teneil Russell)
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
In her younger years, Teneil Russell thought of becoming a police officer; but over the years, she became more aware of the complexities of how the law influences peoples' relationships between each other and the law itself.
“I see law as a tool that helps me better advocate for those who are unable to do so for themselves,” says Russell, now a student in the Dual JD program at Detroit Mercy School of Law and the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, with a graduation goal of 2025.
She was attracted to the Dual JD program’s focus on transnational education.
“The ability to be licensed and practice on both sides of the border is very attractive and I feel it would provide me with more professional opportunities,” she says.
Russell’s first undergraduate degree, with honors, was in business/managerial economics from York University in Ontario. Then, wanting a better understanding of how the law influences everyday actions, she earned a second undergraduate degree, with honors, in Law and Society from York University, to fill what she felt was a gap in her education.
Russell spent eight years working in the Physical Damage department of Desjardins General Insurance Group in Mississauga, Ontario, where she regularly spoke to clients who, in many cases, were going through the worst day of their life.
“Whether it’s a car accident or damage to their home, I was one of the first contact points to initiate the claims process,” she says. “While I dealt these scenarios on a daily basis, the clients were experiencing them for the first time. As such, I held myself to a high standard of guiding our clients through the claims process. I ensured they were aware of their rights and their coverages, as well as informing them of the next steps.
“What I enjoyed most was my ability to turn someone's day around. Any time I spoke to an individual, my goal was to ensure they felt heard, understood and comfortable with the process. I wanted them to feel as if they were speaking to a friend. I knew I accomplished that goal when I heard their tone change and they sounded lighter.”
With a career goal of being a civil litigator with a focus on insurance defense, Russell enjoys her studies at Detroit Mercy Law, where she is particularly appreciative of the faculty and staff.
“I find they are always ready and willing to assist when approached, whether the topic pertains to school, work or personal life,” she says.
Russell—who currently is clerking for Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C. in Livonia—also volunteers as a mediator with Southeastern Dispute Resolutions where she previously externed in 2023. She mediates pre-trials for landlord-tenant cases for the Eviction Diversion Program in Monroe and Jackson counties.
“I knew I wanted to pursue civil litigation as such, learning alternative dispute resolutions would be imperative to ensuring a well-rounded education,” she says. “I love working at Southeastern Dispute Resolution Services as I was exposed to many different people—tenants, landlords and attorneys—and it gave me real-life experience as to how mediation works. Also, they provide services for a wide-range of civil disputes so I’m not relegated to a specific practice area.”
A member of the Black Law Students Association at the University of Windsor, Russell currently serves as vice president of Communications with BLSA Windsor, coordinating internal and external communications among members and the public as well as providing advice and assistance to other BLSA Windsor executives. She also is a member of the OUTlaws; a member of the Anti-Black Racism Committee; and a participant of G. Mennen Williams Moot Court Competition.
A native of Brampton, in Ontario’s Greater Toronto Area, Russell makes her home in Windsor, but enjoys spending time in Detroit. “I really enjoy the diversity of the city, the foods and cultures—it reminds me of Toronto,” she says.
In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking and baking. “And I used to play the guitar and would love to get back into it,” she says.
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