Detroit Mercy Law School student Carley Kavanaugh has volunteered since 10th grade with Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) — an annual leadership congress named for the late American actor and humanitarian — in Canada and Michigan as well as in Chicago and Los Angeles.
(Photo courtesy of Carley Kavanaugh)
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Carley Kavanaugh’s grandparents frequently took the family to dinner in Detroit’s Greektown district and her grandfather would point out the Detroit Mercy Law School building, declaring, “That’s where you’ll go one day.” True to her grandfather’s words, Kavanaugh is in her 2L year at Detroit Mercy Law and enjoying her legal studies.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing professors who will do anything to ensure their students’ success — evident by their willingness to meet with students and create a welcoming environment to ask questions and learn in,” she said. “I also enjoy the way students support each other.
“I’ve felt a community of encouragement and support since I first stepped into the building for orientation back in August 2019.”
Kavanaugh set her sights on a law career as early as second grade. In her high school freshman year, she spent a day shadowing a prosecutor around her office and observed her in court.
During her undergraduate days, she studied political science and government at the University of Windsor with a minor in sociology and elective courses in psychology and gender studies.
Kvanaugh was trained to facilitate three-hour sexual assault prevention workshops for the “Bringing in the Bystander” campus initiative, focusing on the experiences of victims and perpetrators and their roles before, during and after sexually assaultive or violent acts.
“Doing this work, I realized my passion is not government systems and politics, but advocation for social justice and to serve in a way to help protect my community,” she said.
Kavanaugh is particularly interested in criminal prosecution, specifically in the areas of sexual assault and child abuse/neglect cases.
“I want to use a career in criminal law to help protect both the community’s safety while seeking the truth and justice, and to help protect individuals who are wronged in our criminal justice system,” she said. “I believe my background prior to and during law school will provide me with skills to be an effective and fair prosecutor.
“I also enjoyed performing in theatre for most of my high school and younger years, where I gained the confidence to speak comfortably before crowds of strangers — that will be benefit as a future litigator.”
In her current externship for Judge Mark Plawecki at the 20th District Court in Dearborn, Kavanaugh enjoys familiarizing herself with the court system and observing court proceedings.
This summer she will intern for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan (PAAM), working at the Prosecutor’s Office in Livingston County.
“I’ll handle in-court assignments typically handled by assistant prosecutors while gaining experience in the practice of law and oral advocacy and observing the inner workings of the criminal justice system,” Kavanaugh said. “I’m thankful to have secured this position through the OCI process and am looking forward to gaining tremendous hands-on experience.”
While remote law school studies are not ideal, Kavanaugh is thankful for the skills it has taught her.
“I’ve had to really focus on acquiring motivation and energy to put myself in front of a screen for most of my days,” she said. “I’ve found getting dressed and ready for my day, as well as carving out time to walk my dog and get fresh air, has helped me stay more focused. I do miss the social interaction in-person learning provides, but the benefits of
professors being a Zoom call away is sometimes beneficial.”
Always passionate about giving back, Kavanaugh has been volunteering with charity organizations since sixth grade, including breast cancer research events and organizing high school level theatre competitions for local high schools.
She has volunteered since 10th grade with Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) — an annual leadership congress named for the late American actor and humanitarian — in Canada, and Michigan, as well as in Chicago and Los Angeles. She currently serves as director of recruitment for the HOBY Michigan seminar where she oversee the recruitment and registration process for Michigan high schools.
Kavanaugh also had experience working in the retail and service industry, learning skills that will transfer to the field of law.
“Time management, multi-tasking, organization and operating within a fast-paced environment are all skills I’ve been able to strengthen prior to attending law school,” she said. “Having a strong work ethic and so much experience in customer service will allow me to successfully meet office and client goals.”
A lifelong resident of Windsor, Kavanaugh has three younger siblings and three step-siblings, and family members in Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Illinois and Missouri.
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