Octavio Duran is a personal injury attorney. “I represent people in almost every type of personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death case,” he said. “For instance, we have obtained many major settlements and verdicts for our clients in cases involving car and truck accidents, medical malpractice, construction accidents, product liability, workers' compensation, and many other areas of accident and injury law.”

The most rewarding aspect of Octavio’s job is helping people through life-altering events. “Sometimes I represent families who have lost their breadwinner; sometimes I guide people through treatment after horrific accidents,” he said.

Octavio credits his success to the MSU College of Law’s Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute, Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Board for teaching him essential elements of trial practice. “My experience in both groups enabled me to succeed in negotiations, depositions, motion arguments in front of a judge, and so on,” he said. “These groups launched me ahead of many of my competitors who didn't have this rigorous and elite training.”

He recommends that current students get involved in student events and organizations. “You will not only make lifelong friends and colleagues, but you will also place yourself in a much better position to find employment after graduation,” he said. “With this involvement, you will have plenty to discuss during your interviews and will likely beat out those students who merely went to class and received good grades.”