By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Alexis Zerbst originally thought of a career in business but — during undergraduate studies and interning with attorney Ian Kierpaul in Eastpointe for several years — she decided to incorporate political science and the legal field into her schooling.
Enjoyment of high school government classes also played a role in her decision.
A high achiever, Zerbst started Early College of Macomb as a high school junior, obtaining an Associate of Business Administration degree from Macomb Community College a year out of high school. She graduated from University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2021 with a BBA with a major in human resources management and a BA with a major in political science.
Prior to working for Kierpaul, Zerbst had very little knowledge of the criminal legal system.
“I started the job solely for the experience, knowledge and money as a college student; however, it soon turned into me developing a passion for the work,” she said. “As I started experiencing injustices first-hand, I found myself fascinated by it and driven to spark change, which led me to pursue law school.
Zerbst said she learned a lot during her job at Kierpaul’s office, including how to write appellate briefs and motions while gaining various skills she would need for the field of law.
“I owe a lot of my writing and research skills to him,” she said.
Zerbst now is approaching the close of her 2L year at Wayne Law.
“The biggest thing that drew me to study law was seeing the impact I can make in the world and on so many different people,” she said. “I felt studying law was a way I could challenge myself, while also being able to truly enjoy my career.
“No two cases are the same and no two people are the same, and I feel I can put my talents to good use and make a positive impact on so many people through studying and understanding the law.”
Zerbst is enjoying her experience at Wayne Law.
“I appreciate that you have so many amazing opportunities and the potential to be more than just a number,” she said. “It’s a great feeling when your professor knows who you are and actually cares about your legal success and we have that at Wayne.”
Her many legal interests include criminal defense, labor and employment law, and judgeship.
“My main focus is to create change and help ‘the little guy,’ as my background is in criminal defense,” Zerbst said. “However, I took employment law this semester because it goes well with my background in human resources, and I’m really interested to continue pairing my skills together through being a summer associate at Clark Hill this summer in its Labor and Employment Group.”
Last summer’s clerkship for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Megan Cavanagh included evaluating applications for leave to appeal received by the court and advising the justice as whether this case should be denied, granted, or held for further consideration.
“It was eye opening to see how the highest court in our state works because so many of us have no idea,” Zerbst said. “I loved working on cases that I knew would get set for oral argument in the next term and potentially modify the law.”
Zerbst has set her long-term career goal as sitting on a judicial bench.
“Kierpaul gave me the great advice that if I wanted to make any significant changes, the judge route is the way to go,” she said.
A member of the second group of Wayne students to participate in a Holistic Defense Externship — an interdisciplinary partnership between Wayne Law and the Wayne State
School of Social Work — Zerbst externed with the Neighborhood Defender Service.
She spoke on the record in court several times, including cross-examining a witness and conducting a plea hearing as well as multiple sentencing hearings.
A member of Moot Court —and now serving as chancellor —Zerbst found participation in hands-on activities was a welcomed break from the rigor of law school.
“Moot Court forces you to argue both sides of a case, which allows you to see weaknesses in the case and be prepared to handle any opposition,” she said. “Prior to my externship and Moot Court, I was very nervous about oral advocacy, however, those two things were such a cool way to overcome those fears.”
A highlight was selection as designated brief writer for the William & Mary Spong Constitutional Law Moot Court competition in February.
As the new Moot Court chancellor, Zerbst looks forward to collaborating with faculty advisor, Amy Neville, who taught her for two legal writing courses and helped enhance Zerbst’s writing capabilities.
“I plan to make sure junior members get the same amazing experience in Moot Court that I did,” Zerbst said. “This will entail raising awareness of Moot Court and what we do, having amazing senior coaches to mentor our junior members, sending as many teams to national competitions as we can, and having two successful in-person in-house competitions.”
Zerbst is a first-generation college student and future lawyer.
“It’s been such a defining feature for me through my entire education, and I would love to inspire others like me — that you can do anything you set your mind to,” she said.
Originally from Eastpointe, Zerbst now makes her home in St. Clair Shores where she enjoys exploring beaches on Lake St. Clair.
“Detroit has always been my home and I never want to leave,” she said. “I’m a big fan of being able to experience all four seasons, and the many different outdoor activities that come with that.
“Detroit is also a great sports town, and I enjoy watching and attending games of all four professional teams, as well as the University of Michigan football team. Being at Wayne State allows me to be able to get out of class and be 10 minutes away from a sports game or any other entertainment happening downtown.”
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