By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
After earning an undergrad degree in psychology from the University of Michigan, Sarah Cravens spent a year in Costa Rica volunteering for a Christian youth organization, and becoming fluent in Spanish.
When she returned to Michigan, she landed a job as a paralegal in a Spanish-speaking family immigration law firm in Ann Arbor, and worked there for two years.
“Even though I had no previous experience or interest in law, I really thrived in that position,” she says. “I enjoyed working so closely with immigration clients and being able to make a tangible difference in their lives. When I started there, I had no idea I would some day attend law school. My boss encouraged me to attend – eventually I listened, and it’s turned out to be a great fit.”
Now a 3L student at Wayne Law School, Cravens’ focus is on international topics.
“I’ve always loved all things international,” she says. “By the time I got to law school I’d traveled quite a bit and been part of an international Christian organization for many years, so I wanted to pursue anything
that would allow me to keep exploring international topics and opportunities.”
She appreciates the small, tight knit community of students and professors at Wayne Law.
“I’ve had so many opportunities to build relationships with my classmates that will last into the future, and I clearly recognize that almost every professional opportunity that has become available was made possible by a professor,” she says. “I’ve felt incredibly supported and I’ve really enjoyed the people who’ve been part of the experience.”
As part of the clinical education program, Cravens offers free legal services to clients who cannot afford to pay for representation.
“I’m currently assisting two clients who are asking for asylum because they’re afraid to return to their home countries,” she says.
Last year, as a junior member of the Jessup International Law Moot Court team, she helped the team win the Midwestern Regional competition and win the award for best-written memorial. At the International competition, the team was among the top 32 teams that qualified for the advanced rounds, and the memorial was ranked 16th in the world.
“It was an intense, arduous process that involved countless hours of international law research and argument practice over a period of seven months,” she says. “By the end, my teammates felt like family, and I felt so much more capable both as a researcher and an oral advocate. I hope to lead the team to equal or greater success this year. Jessup has been one of the most challenging yet confidence-building experiences I’ve had during my time at Wayne Law.”
Cravens also is involved with the International Law Students Association and the Women’s Law Caucus, organizations that aim to unite students with similar interests.
“I especially appreciate the women’s law caucus because it allows women law students to support each other personally and professionally,” she says.
In fact, it was a member of the caucus who told Cravens about the judicial internship opportunity with U.S. District Court Judge Avern Cohn in the Eastern District of Michigan, where she spent four months earlier this year working on real cases and seeing firsthand how a federal judicial chambers operated.
“I observed several hearings and even a bench trial, so I was able to see both good and bad examples of lawyers in action,” she says. “I also really enjoyed getting to know Judge Cohn. He’s a brilliant and extremely dedicated judge who also has a great sense of humor.”
After graduation, Cravens will clerk for Cohn for a year, before moving to New York City as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, a major national and international law firm – the first Wayne Law student to be hired by this firm.
This past summer, Cravens was chosen for an internship, sponsored by Wayne Law’s Program for International Legal Studies, to work in WilmerHale’s International Arbitration Practice Group in London, England.
“Though my co-workers came from all parts of the world, I was constantly amazed at how well everyone worked together and at the high quality of the work they produced,” she says. “I also had the chance to work on scholarly publications and on a pro bono case involving proceedings before an international human rights tribunal.
“It was incredibly valuable to be surrounded by people who worked so hard and who had high expectations for the work I did. The internship also allowed me to make connections that have propelled my career options to levels I never before thought possible.”
Last year, Cravens had a fellowship to spend three summer months with Mexico Unido Contra la Delincuencia, a non-governmental organization in Mexico City that monitored implementation of criminal procedure reforms. She also got to attend a meeting with a Mexican Supreme Court justice and to visit a client living in a government-run mental health holding facility.
“It was eye-opening to experience a different criminal justice system and the challenges it faces,” she says. “I also enjoyed being immersed in Mexican culture, which I found to be very warm, friendly, and fun.”
The Saline native now makes her home in Detroit, where she enjoys the many cultural, artistic and outdoor activities that are on tap, and pursuing her leisure interests of salsa dancing, being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and playing on a recently purchased 1927 upright player piano.
She also has volunteered with YouthWorks Detroit, a Christian youth organization devoted to the welfare and development of Detroit children and teens.
“I spent one summer helping to run a children’s day camp and a teen work program, and I’ve also sponsored an elementary school child so she could participate in an after-school program,” she says.
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