Power play: Hockey player takes aim on a career in the law

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By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
 
A former University of Michigan hockey player, law student Max Shuart likens preparing for a test to preparations to a hockey game—“Down to having a pre-game meal” and listening to music before an exam to get pumped up,” he explains.

“Along with that, I’ve found that being competitive, prepared to work hard, and managing time properly have been extremely helpful in the first year of law school, which is often very demanding and time intensive.”

Recently completing the end of his 1L year at Wayne Law, Shuart is spending this summer as a Levin Center legal intern working on the House of Representatives Ways & Means Subcommittee on Oversight in the nation’s capital.

“I’m thrilled for this opportunity to continue developing my legal skills and represent Wayne State, Detroit and Michigan while working alongside people who day after day want to make the world a better place,” he says.

In his upcoming 2L year, Shuart will serve as vice president of the school’s Federalist Society, which brings in speakers for dialogue on various topics; he also is a member of the Entrepreneurship & Business Law Society, which recently brought in a panel of Michigan lawyers to discuss their practices and career paths.

After earning his undergraduate degree in political science and government, and history, from the University of Michigan, Shuart spent eight months playing pro hockey for Åmåls Sportklubb in Sweden.

“It was a meaningful experience living in a new country and culture, and an opportunity to travel Europe extensively,” he says.

He headed to Wayne Law last fall.

“I knew I wanted to continue my education in some capacity and thought law school would be a great opportunity to develop various skills that would be applicable in just about any field,” he says. “I’ve always had some interest in history and politics so I figured law school would be the place to keep learning about some of that while developing transferable skills to be ready for the working world.

“I came to law school a blank slate expecting to figure out the area I most like as I go and strive to practice in that area, something that’s not been made easy as I’ve really enjoyed all of the first-year courses. As of now I’m particularly drawn to the corporate and business fields and most likely will follow that path.”

He has been pleased by his first year’s law school experience.

“All of the people at Wayne Law make it a great place, from professors to students,” he says. “I’m pleasantly surprised to not have any 1L horror stories about any professors, they all conducted class each day in a way that was never too daunting while maintaining high expectations.

“A great thing has been the chance to meet all kinds of new people from different backgrounds and make friends who you will likely be working alongside day in and day out practicing law in Michigan.”

A native of Bad Axe in Michigan’s “Thumb,” and graduate of Northville High School where he played two years of varsity lacrosse, Shuart now makes his home in the Motor City, where his interests include reading, traveling to new places and to visit friends and family, working out, golf – and of course, hockey.

“I really like the energy around Detroit and the confidence of people around the area that this really is a city on the rise,” he says. “Living in the city has also been a new experience that I really enjoy as there’s always something to do, from going to Red Wings games or other sporting events to hanging out with classmates/ and friends and always having a new bar or restaurant in the area to try out.”

He has fond memories of his time on the U-M hockey team, and its volunteer opportunities.

“I had the chance to visit C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor to spend time with patients and do what we could to brighten someone’s day,” he says.

“And as a team, we also helped out with Habitat for Humanity in Ypsilanti, preparing a home for a local family which was very rewarding.”

 

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