The University of Detroit Mercy has launched its first-ever Pre-Law Society (PLS), providing students with a dedicated space to explore legal careers, develop essential skills, and build professional connections. Founded by a team of nine students, with support from faculty, the organization aims to bridge the gap between undergraduate education and law school.  

Among the founding members are Eemi Toma and Donika Dedvukaj, who, along with seven other students, helped bring the organization to life. 

The idea for the Pre-Law Society was first introduced by Dean Jocelyn Boryczka, who saw the potential for a student-run organization dedicated to legal education.  

“I have to credit Dean Boryczka for recognizing the importance of a Pre-Law Society and putting it on the agenda before I arrived on campus,” said Dr. Lee Dionne, head of the Pre-Law Program. “Experience has taught me that a thriving pre-law organization has the power to really transform the educational experience for students and to better prepare them for success in law school.” 

With this vision in mind, Toma and Dedvukaj, along with the seven other founding members, stepped up to make it a reality. 

“I saw an opportunity to create a space for students to explore legal careers, connect with peers, and get practical advice about law school,” Toma said.  

Dedvukaj echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the need for a strong support system.  

“We saw a real need for a support system for pre-law students because navigating the legal field can be overwhelming,” she said. “There wasn’t really a space for students to get guidance on things like the LSAT, personal statements, and internships.”  

The Pre-Law Society is designed to be more than just a club—it’s a community and resource center for students considering a legal career.  

“Students will benefit in three main ways,” Dr. Dionne said. “First, they will gain information about applying to law school, preparing for the LSAT, succeeding in law school, and practicing law. Second, they will develop essential skills such as persuasive speaking and legal writing. Third, they will network with their peers and attorneys in the field, including graduates of UDM Law.” 

Toma envisions the Pre-Law Society as a place where students can discover the variety of careers a law degree can open up.  

“One of our biggest goals is to show students that earning a JD doesn’t mean they have to become a lawyer,” she said. “There are so many career paths, like becoming a professor, mediator, legal journalist, or policy analyst. A law degree opens doors beyond the courtroom, and we want students to know that.” 

The Pre-Law Society has a packed agenda for the upcoming year. 

“This year, we are excited to feature an internal moot court competition in early April, where teams of two will argue different sides of the recent TikTok case,” Dr. Dionne said. “We hope this will become an annual part of our programming.”  

Beyond moot court, the society will also focus on mock trial competitions, mentorship programs and networking events.  

“We’re also creating a mentorship program where students can get one-on-one guidance from peers who’ve already taken the LSAT or applied to law school,” Toma said. “Networking events will be a big focus too, because making connections early on can make a huge difference in a legal career.” 

Dedvukaj emphasized the importance of hands-on experiences for members.  

“We are connecting students with experienced mentors, internship opportunities, and real legal experiences like court visits and moot courts,” she said. “It’s one thing to read about the law but actually seeing it in action and getting advice from professionals is a game-changer.” 

Like any new organization, getting PLS off the ground came with its challenges.  

“One of the biggest challenges was making sure everyone on the founding team was on the same page about what we wanted this society to be,” Toma said. “There were a lot of ideas, but we had to narrow them down and focus on what would be most useful for students.” 

Dedvukaj added that gaining university support took time, but faculty members were instrumental in making it happen.  

“We are super grateful to Dr. Dionne for all his support, and we know this club is exactly what UDM needed,” she said. 

With a strong start and growing student interest, the future of the Pre-Law Society looks bright.  

“The response has been amazing,” Toma said. 

Dedvukaj envisions the organization growing beyond its founding year.  

“I see this club growing into something huge, maybe even recognized by Detroit Mercy Law and other schools,” she said. “The more support we can get, the more we can do for students, and that is the ultimate goal.” 

With dedicated leadership, exciting programming, and strong faculty support, the Pre-Law Society is set to become an essential resource for students interested in law at UDM. 

“One of the things I am excited about is that PLS is a new and growing organization that invites innovative proposals from its student members and leaders,” Dr. Dionne said. “If you have an idea that relates in some fundamental way to law, then PLS is a place where we might be able to make that idea a reality.”