Megyn Greider is pursuing a future in public interest law and is currently interning at the UM School of Law Children and Youth Law Clinic. In addition to the legal needs of her clients, Megyn will be working on a pamphlet explaining the legal rights of children to health care.

Last summer, Megyn was an intern at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “I conducted client interviews and provided legal research to my supervising attorney. NCLR focuses on impact litigation and some clients need to be referred to attorneys in their community.” NCLR maintains a large network of cooperating attorneys. “I am fortunate to work with talented attorneys and mentors. Both LGBT families and children in foster care present a myriad of legal issues.”

To prepare for both internships, Megyn credits her first year courses, specifically legal research and writing which were required in both internships. “I was interested in public interest practice areas and was familiar with the issues before beginning my work. I started service work with at-risk children in high school and the opportunities at UM allowed me to continue that service.”

Prior to UM Law, Megyn attended Loyola University New Orleans where she was a chemistry major. During her sophomore year, Megyn transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville (Megyn’s home town), where she studied Philosophy. “I loved studying Philosophy as an undergrad but it is very important to apply those lessons to the real world, to live in accordance with a spirit of generosity and service. To study values and ethics is wonderful, but to live accordingly is the real challenge.”

While at UNF, Megyn was a member of the Delta Gamma Fraternity, Chief Justice of the Greek Judicial Board, a Presidential Envoy and member of the Student Alumni Association.

Currently at UM, Megyn is Secretary of OUTLaw, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Association. “We have had a great year with wonderful speakers and activities.” Megyn is also involved with H.O.P.E. (Helping Others through Pro Bono Efforts), Law School Ambassadors, and Bar & Gavel. Megyn was recently inducted into the Honor Society of Bar and Gavel. Megyn was also granted a H.O.P.E. Fellowship and received an Equal Justice Works Summer Corps membership last summer.

Some of Megyn's favorite classes have been Professor Diamond’s Torts class, Professor Vladek’s Civil Procedure class and Professor Massey’s Civil Procedure II class. “Professor Diamond’s Torts class was the reason I got out of bed in the morning, and not just because it was at 7:30. I have been really lucky to have a great lineup of professors and counselors.”

In the future, Megyn sees herself staying in Miami to practice. “During my first year at UM, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans so I have also considered returning to Louisiana to take a role in rebuilding the city.” In her spare time Megyn enjoys going to movies and concerts, reading or wandering around Books & Books in the Gables because of the many visiting authors.

“My entire law school experience has been memorable, even the tough times. The two greatest lessons I learned in Elements:  1) the answer is… “It depends...” and 2) it is possible to argue how two disparate cases can be comparable and how two identical cases can be distinguished.”