PR Student, Avery St. Lawrence, Finds Her Voice in the Courtroom
By: Lily Sacco
When Avery St. Lawrence began her journey at Michigan State University, she didn’t expect that a major in public relations would set her on a path to law school. Unlike many pre-law students who choose for political science or criminal justice, she viewed PR as a distinctive choice that would help her stand out.
“I was really into sports growing up — watching baseball, the NFL, hockey — and my mom always thought I’d work in that world,” she said.
Initially considering a sports agency, she soon realized contract law required a legal foundation. PR, emphasizing writing, storytelling and public perception, felt like the right path.
St. Lawrence says she believes communication is a critical asset in the courtroom. She says it’s all about knowing your audience, whether you’re questioning, being questioned, or crafting arguments. PR, she adds, sharpened her skills in persuasion and strategic messaging — tools she’s confident will benefit her in law school.
Her coursework further supported her unconventional route. Legal concepts like defamation and intellectual property appeared in her PR classes, reinforcing how applicable her major could be to her career goals.
“That’s when I knew PR would give me an advantage,” she said.
Balancing school and extracurriculars is second nature to St. Lawrence. As the vice president of the Panhellenic Council and an active member of several student organizations, she has developed a well-organized routine that helps her keep everything in check. Her days start early, and she makes the most of her study time with focused sessions. She says she can balance her academic responsibilities with her leadership roles by carefully scheduling her activities.
Adaptability and time management are crucial for St. Lawrence, and they will benefit her while she prepares for the LSAT. She claims that not all pre-law students can match her capacity to balance these obligations while keeping a high GPA.
Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a career in entertainment or intellectual property law. These fields, which involve protecting creative work and negotiating contracts, would blend her interests in media and advocacy.
St. Lawrence encourages other PR students to think broadly about their futures.
“PR gives you advantages that poli-sci students don’t — strong writing, strategic messaging and public perception awareness, said St. Lawrence. “Use it to your advantage, The legal field needs more diverse perspectives, and PR gives you a unique skill set that will make you stand out.”
MSU students curious about bridging PR and law can explore related minors or leadership opportunities like the Panhellenic Council to hone those transferable skills. St. Lawrence’s journey proves that even unconventional paths can lead to influential careers.