By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Social studies and history were always favorite subjects for Taylor Hilton, who was intrigued by how different branches of government worked. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree in political science and government from the University of Michigan.
During undergrad, she interned in the child abuse/sexual assault unit of the Wayne County Prosecutors Office and attended meetings in Lansing with the legislative liaison. The WCPO experience piqued her interest in working as a prosecutor, and shaped her decision to go to law school.
In her senior year at U-M, she interned for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in D.C.
“It was an incredible experience,” she says. “This was also my first time living in D.C., so I discovered my love for the city.
“One day while I went with my boss to Capitol Hill to listen to him testify in front of a congressional committee, I ran into (TV talk show host) John Oliver and was able to take a picture with him.”
In the “gap” period between undergrad and law school, Hilton worked at the Oakland County law firm of Sherman Immigration Lawyers in Franklin.
“The attorneys and clients were fantastic to work for,” she says.
Interested in the variety of career possibilities in the legal field, Hilton’s particular interest is criminal law with the goal of becoming a prosecutor. She also is interested in working for an international organization such as the United Nations—and for the past six years has volunteered for a Model United Nations conference.
The 2L student is enjoying her studies at Wayne State University Law School.
“The professors have been fantastic—always willing to go above and beyond to make sure students are understanding the material,” she says.
She also finds the downtown location makes it easy to travel to her jobs at the Department of Justice and at the U.S. Attorney Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, both places where she would be interested in working after graduation. Next semester she will be working for U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy, Eastern District of Michigan.
A six-month internship this past summer at the Department of Justice in D.C. provided the opportunity to handle unique projects and learn about different aspects of the government and criminal law; and she also had the chance to meet FBI Director Christopher Wray. It was her second experience of life in the nation’s capital, a city she says offers something new and exciting every day.
A member of the Jessup International Moot Court Team, Hilton also serves as vice president of the Criminal Law Society that holds panels with local criminal law attorneys; members participate in several on-campus activities, and visited the FBI headquarters in Detroit.
This year, she is serving as president of the school’s Women’s Law Caucus.
“It’s been incredible to talk to powerful women in the legal field and learn about their experiences,” she says. “Our organization offers men and women the opportunity to learn about different career opportunities, volunteer in the community, and receive student/attorney mentors.”
Reading is a passion in Hilton’s leisure time, and she also is a “die-hard” fan of the hit musical, “Hamilton.” This past summer, she met the show’s creator and original lead actor Lin-Manuel Miranda at a rally in downtown D.C. and took a selfie with him.
“He’s one of my biggest idols, so that was extremely exciting,” she says. “I’ve met four of the original cast members. I’ve seen the musical in New York, D.C., Chicago, and have tickets to see it in Detroit next year.”
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