3L Student Ensures Animal Voices Heard

Animals cannot speak, but they were heard loud and clear over the past two years thanks to 3L Lauren Duguid (’24).

As president of MSU Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund this year and treasurer last year, Duguid recruited 15 additional members to the student organization and helped raise more than $300 for the Capital Area Humane Society.

To recognize her efforts, Duguid was awarded the State Bar of Michigan’s Wanda A. Nash Award for Excellence. The award, named for the founder of the Animal Law Section of the State Bar, annually honors a JD student for their work in the field of animal law.

“I’ve always loved animals,” she said. “They don’t have voices, so we have to prevent cruelty and protect them.”

Duguid, of Barrington, Ill., says preventing animal cruelty is one of her many interests in public advocacy areas of the law.

Duguid also serves as president of Public Interest Law Society and marketing chair of Women’s Law Caucus. She is also a lead representative for BARBRI, an independent Bar preparation course.

When she leaves MSU Law, Duguid will work in the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office in the Family Law Division.

“I will be helping children who are victims of child abuse and neglect,” she said. “It will be rewarding to potentially save lives and help get people the help they need.”