Supportive Community Helped Second-Year Law Student Successfully Transition Back into Academics

Supportive Community Helped Second-Year Law Student Successfully Transition Back into Academics

When Christian Karim stepped into the College of Law, he was not sure if he belonged.

After taking three years off between undergrad and law school, Karim had to relearn the rhythm of academics. At first, the transition back to school was challenging. But thanks to a supportive community, dedicated professors and an eye-opening externship, he has found his place and his purpose.

Karim, a second-year law student from West Bloomfield, Michigan, earned his bachelor's degree in public health from Wayne State University in 2021. Originally a pre-pharmacy major and pharmacy technician, he witnessed firsthand how healthcare policy and industry changes affected patients. That experience left him curious about health law and public service.

"I saw that industry change," Karim said. "And part of me felt like I could use my knowledge and my talents to advocate for them."

Law runs in Karim's family. His grandfather was a lawyer in Iraq, and several cousins and his brother are also in law school. With their encouragement, Karim took the LSAT and soon discovered a new passion.

Finding the right law school was a crucial step. After touring several large universities, Karim chose UToledo's College of Law for its welcoming atmosphere.

"I actually really enjoyed the area, whether it was downtown or it was the actual school," he said. "I made an appointment, came and toured, and I was like, I can see myself coming here for the next three years."

That sense of belonging carried into student life. Karim is a founding member of the Chaldean American Law Student Association, created to celebrate culture and educate others about the Chaldean community. He also serves on the board of the Criminal Law Society, where he helps connect classmates who have an interest in the field.

Karim's externship at a Michigan prosecutor's office became a defining experience. He logged more than 423 hours of public service - far above the 30 to 60 hours most students complete - because he wanted to immerse himself in every aspect of courtroom work. He split his time between the office and the courtroom, absorbing everything from preliminary hearings to bench trials. Eventually, he even assisted in a high-profile murder trial.

"Before I took this externship, I didn't think I actually understood what the role of a prosecuting attorney was," Karim said. "And that's basically what led me to just pile on all those hours, because I was just so focused on learning as much as I could. I even extended my externship up until the very last day, until I had to move back here, just because I liked it so much."

Faculty mentorship played a key role in that discovery. Karim credits Professor Shelley Cavalieri for reminding him that grades don't define the lawyer he will become and Professor Gregory Gilchrist for sparking his interest in prosecution through engaging classes.

"He was a big reason why I even considered the prosecutor's office, because he made that class so engaging and so interesting to learn, that I was willing to go and give it a shot," Karim said. "Because to be honest, when I first started law school, I didn't even consider criminal law."

Said Gilchrist: "Christian has shown a strong interest in criminal law, both in and out of the classroom. He gained invaluable experience interning with a prosecutor's office - engaging in plea negotiations, arguing motions and preparing trials. It's always exciting when law students find these opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom. In Christian's case, he's done that and then also reversed it, bringing his knowledge from in-court experiences to taking upper-level criminal procedure classes."

Karim's dedication earned him a Public Service Commendation - a recognition that meant more than a line on his resume.

"We kind of downplay our accomplishments and give more weight to our failures," he said. "It's taught me that if we don't celebrate little things like this, we kind of forget what we're doing here in law school as students, and even as people, who are about to enter a professional field like law."

Looking ahead, Karim plans to pursue prosecution while keeping the door open to health law, where his background gives him a unique perspective. He has already been invited to return to the prosecutor's office next summer.

Karim said he advises new law students to never give up and keep going.

"When you do your first externship, you will gain a sense of identity that you didn't even know you had," he said. "I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart, if I wasn't at Toledo, I wouldn't feel like I could keep going because there's such a great community here that everybody just builds each other up and everybody pushes each other to become better every single day."