Stephanie Gagerie

Assistant Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender

2012 | West Palm Beach, FL

University of Central Florida | Political Science

“Professors at MSU truly have open doors and are willing to help students grow legally and professionally.”

Stephanie Gagerie represents accused people who, due to financial hardships, have been labeled as indigent. “They are unable to afford an attorney, so my office represents those individuals,” she said. “I am in court daily, and work for my clients by advancing legal arguments and fighting for their cause. The most rewarding aspect of my current position is being able to help change the lives of clients and showing them the compassion needed to help them through troubling times.

Stephanie’s Criminal Procedure class at MSU College of Law helped prepare her for her current position because she learned the criminal process and the milestone cases in the area of criminal law. “I think one of the many key strengths of MSU Law is the professional staff and these staff members’ willingness to help and mentor students,” she said. “Professors at the Law College truly have open doors and are willing to help students grow legally and professionally.”

Stephanie advises current law students use their time in school to explore the various areas of law. “Take classes you may not have thought you were interested in,” she said. “You might be surprised to find that you have an interest in a completely different area of law than you initially anticipated.”