By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Heather Rooney worked as a legal secretary for her father’s law firm, Dallas Rooney PLLC in Bad Axe, while handling University of Michigan undergrad online classes during the pandemic.
“I’d already been thinking about law school at that time so it was a great opportunity to get some exposure to the legal field,” says Rooney, now a rising 3L student at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
“I learned so much doing that work and it allowed me to gain some insight into what practicing law was like. Not only did I gain more familiarity with the law and court systems, but it also was a good experience in working with clients.”
Her father encouraged Rooney—who worked for Salens & Salens in Bad Axe in the summers of 2022 and 2023—to pursue a career in the legal field.
“Getting to work for my dad and other attorneys I saw the impact they had on their clients and that was something I wanted to do as well,” she says. “I’ve also always enjoyed reading, writing, and analysis. I knew I wanted a career where I use those skills while being able to assist people often facing difficult and challenging situations and law seemed like a good fit for me.”
With a goal of practicing law in Michigan, Rooney wanted to attend law school in the Great Lakes State—and chose Detroit Mercy Law, appreciating its location in downtown Detroit, and where she will be a senior editor on Law Review this upcoming school year.
“Detroit is such a cool city and it's been exciting to experience it, especially as someone from a small town,” she says. “I really appreciate the community we have at UDM. So many of the students and professors I have interacted with have been kind, supportive, and encouraging. I’m also so grateful for the friendships I’ve made at UDM. Having supportive peers has been a big part of my positive experience here. “
Rooney is passionate about being able to use the law as a way to help people access justice, ensure rights, and provide protections.
“I also find it interesting that certain elements about the law are able to be changed,” she says. “Certain elements in the law are not always black and white—there is frequently room for interpretation and change with the times. There are also always new conflicts and dilemmas that require new or revised solutions and answers.”
Rooney has a few areas of interest: probate, estate planning, business, real estate, and looks forward eventually to practicing in law in Michigan, and work on a variety of cases.
“Right now, I’m still enjoying getting experience across a range of practice areas so I don't like to rule anything out,” she says. “I am always open to new learning opportunities that allow me to develop foundational skills and knowledge.”
She currently is clerking at Schenk & Bruetsch, a boutique business law firm in Detroit with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to political leaders and entrepreneurs. Her work includes drafting motions and other pleadings, researching, writing memos, and reviewing discovery.
“I enjoy getting to work for some great attorneys who have a wide range of expertise and experience,” she says. “With that, I like that I get to work on a variety of projects that span a range of practice areas.”
Last summer Rooney was a legal extern at the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County, where she carried out research and wrote memos.
“I also did some courtroom observations and got to watch various court proceedings and trials which were very interesting and informative,” she says.
The Bad Axe native now makes her home in Detroit, and enjoys exploring the Motor City, reading, walking, running, and travel.
Legal News
Heather Rooney worked as a legal secretary for her father’s law firm, Dallas Rooney PLLC in Bad Axe, while handling University of Michigan undergrad online classes during the pandemic.
“I’d already been thinking about law school at that time so it was a great opportunity to get some exposure to the legal field,” says Rooney, now a rising 3L student at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
“I learned so much doing that work and it allowed me to gain some insight into what practicing law was like. Not only did I gain more familiarity with the law and court systems, but it also was a good experience in working with clients.”
Her father encouraged Rooney—who worked for Salens & Salens in Bad Axe in the summers of 2022 and 2023—to pursue a career in the legal field.
“Getting to work for my dad and other attorneys I saw the impact they had on their clients and that was something I wanted to do as well,” she says. “I’ve also always enjoyed reading, writing, and analysis. I knew I wanted a career where I use those skills while being able to assist people often facing difficult and challenging situations and law seemed like a good fit for me.”
With a goal of practicing law in Michigan, Rooney wanted to attend law school in the Great Lakes State—and chose Detroit Mercy Law, appreciating its location in downtown Detroit, and where she will be a senior editor on Law Review this upcoming school year.
“Detroit is such a cool city and it's been exciting to experience it, especially as someone from a small town,” she says. “I really appreciate the community we have at UDM. So many of the students and professors I have interacted with have been kind, supportive, and encouraging. I’m also so grateful for the friendships I’ve made at UDM. Having supportive peers has been a big part of my positive experience here. “
Rooney is passionate about being able to use the law as a way to help people access justice, ensure rights, and provide protections.
“I also find it interesting that certain elements about the law are able to be changed,” she says. “Certain elements in the law are not always black and white—there is frequently room for interpretation and change with the times. There are also always new conflicts and dilemmas that require new or revised solutions and answers.”
Rooney has a few areas of interest: probate, estate planning, business, real estate, and looks forward eventually to practicing in law in Michigan, and work on a variety of cases.
“Right now, I’m still enjoying getting experience across a range of practice areas so I don't like to rule anything out,” she says. “I am always open to new learning opportunities that allow me to develop foundational skills and knowledge.”
She currently is clerking at Schenk & Bruetsch, a boutique business law firm in Detroit with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to political leaders and entrepreneurs. Her work includes drafting motions and other pleadings, researching, writing memos, and reviewing discovery.
“I enjoy getting to work for some great attorneys who have a wide range of expertise and experience,” she says. “With that, I like that I get to work on a variety of projects that span a range of practice areas.”
Last summer Rooney was a legal extern at the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County, where she carried out research and wrote memos.
“I also did some courtroom observations and got to watch various court proceedings and trials which were very interesting and informative,” she says.
The Bad Axe native now makes her home in Detroit, and enjoys exploring the Motor City, reading, walking, running, and travel.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
