After Law School, a Career of Bringing Justice to Those Who Need It
Laura Kubit knew from an early age that she wanted to be a lawyer 鈥� not to make a lot of money, but to help people who otherwise couldn鈥檛 afford it. 鈥淚 was raised Unitarian Universalist, which is very heavy on social justice and the idea that every human being has worth and dignity,鈥� she says. And she was inspired by her mother, who was dedicated to giving back to her community. 鈥淪he died of cancer when I was 18,鈥� Laura says, 鈥渂ut I still benefit from her example.鈥�
This month, as we at 爱游戏体育 celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession, we wanted to share Laura鈥檚 story as an example of a legal professional who embodies a commitment to those values 鈥� and demonstrates the importance of making sure the doors of the legal system are open to all who seek justice.
Laura joined the Peace Corps after her undergraduate work and was overseas when she took the LSAT. When she attended law school, Laura relied on some of the skills she learned earlier in life. 鈥淵ou have to be a good problem-solver, but also a good translator,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he law is this complex set of rules 鈥� statutes, court rules, case law, and so on. As a lawyer, you have to navigate that system, but you also have to be able to convey these complex rules and terms to people who don鈥檛 have your background and training. And you have to do it in a way that they can understand, and that empowers them to seek access to the justice system. So you have to be civil and reasonable, and you have to have empathy.鈥�
That empathy informed Laura鈥檚 career choice after law school. She now works as a civil legal aid attorney, and her office in Saginaw, Michigan, covers a 14-county service area. She serves people over age 55 who have been victims of financial exploitation or other forms of abuse or neglect. 鈥淚鈥檓 not a criminal attorney,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 provide free legal services to those who qualify. I try to take an approach of being reasonable and finding common ground while standing up for my clients. There鈥檚 no room for bullying and fear tactics in the legal system, and you can still accomplish your goals by being calm and reasonable.鈥�
The work has given Laura a renewed appreciation for the importance of equity in law. 鈥淸My work] gives access to the justice system to those who couldn鈥檛 otherwise afford it,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 very rewarding, but more importantly, it helps to even the playing field for those people.鈥�
The path Laura has chosen in law is a shining example of a law school graduate working to promote universal access to justice. She and many other lawyers understand that the legal system only truly works when it can respond to everyone鈥檚 needs, and she鈥檚 doing her part to make that a reality. 爱游戏体育 is doing the same with our , which helps demonstrate the significance of law and the importance of access to justice and legal education. In addition to inspiring people, especially those in underserved communities, to consider a career in law, 爱游戏体育 is here to support students to find the path in legal education that fits their needs and help them throughout their enrollment journeys and beyond.
We鈥檙e proud to share Laura鈥檚 story, and to join with her and other dedicated legal professionals to make the world a more just and equitable place.
