Celebrating Women’s HerStory: ODEIB Student Features
Mariane Karkaba, 3L, grew up in Lebanon before pursuing her degrees at Detroit Mercy. “The sense of feminism is different between Lebanon and the United States. In Arab culture, a woman’s place is often seen as in the home, taking care of kids and the family,” she explained. “I feel like there’s a line to be drawn where it’s okay for a woman to pursue her own dreams.”
Karkaba is the President of the Women’s Law Caucus. “I chose to pursue law because it’s what I’m most interested in.” She does not know what the future holds but knows there can be a balance between cultural expectations and her own desires.
During law school, Karkaba gained experience as a judicial extern at the Wayne County Third Circuit Court and as a law clerk at two Metro Detroit law firms. She also served as co-chair for the 2025 Transnational Moot Court Competition.
After graduating with her bachelor's degree, Tori Conklin, 2L, wasn’t sure what she wanted to pursue as a career. “I took a year off of studying and served with AmeriCorps through the city of Detroit. I worked in a school and really enjoyed working with the students, but I couldn’t see myself doing that forever,” she explained.
Conklin analyzed her experience from a societal perspective and saw how the law could impact students like the ones she had been teaching. “That’s what really made me want to go into juvenile criminal defense work. I want to use my privilege in the right way, by breaking down barriers and trying to change things.”
Conklin serves as Vice President of the Women’s Law Caucus and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Wayne County. She also has experience working as a law clerk at two law firms in Metro Detroit.
Leah DeVries, Dual JD 3L, was originally inspired to attend law school after taking an undergraduate course in intellectual property law. “I thought copyright was the coolest thing. I loved how the law intersected with creative industries,” she explained. “I realized how the law has logic and reasoning but also gives me the freedom to be creative and work with other creative people.”
“I have been lucky enough to have a lot of positive women role models and be in an environment that is supportive of women in the Canadian and American Dual JD Program.”
During law school, DeVries served as a student clinician in the Intellectual Property and Patent Law Clinic at Detroit Mercy Law and as a summer intern at a law firm in Toronto.