A summer internship with the Michigan Department of Attorney General has led to a part-time position and is helping set the stage for Kara Sollars’ career. The senior Humanities-Prelaw major hopes to one day become an attorney and currently is applying to law schools. 

Her time with the Michigan Department of Attorney General has taught her that she is “ready to take on the world of law.”

“As I get older and as I am figuring out what I want to do, I feel myself being more and more passionate about this career choice,” Sollars said. “I can’t pinpoint an exact reason why, but the thought of serving the public is gratifying to me. With everything going on in the world right now, making a difference, no matter how small, is the most exciting thing to me.”

The Michigan Department of Attorney General helps safeguard the public, supports victims of crimes, leads the fight against human trafficking and opioid abuse, preserves natural resources, and protects consumers from illegal business practices. Dana Nessel was sworn in as Michigan’s 54th Attorney General in 2019.

In her job with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Sollars’ main priority is to assist attorneys and paralegals within the expungements department.

“I do a little bit of everything like send out opposition or no opposition letters to defense attorneys, prosecutors, and the courts,” she said. “I enter court orders into our system we share with the Michigan State Police and file new expungement applications. I also get training opportunities in different areas of law, legal writing, and more.”

Of her numerous duties, Sollars said she most enjoys learning from her coworkers.

“My favorite experience is getting to learn from so many different paralegals and attorneys about their path to where they are now and about different areas of law,” she said. “Talking to my coworkers and hearing about their experiences is amazing because you can learn so much about what they did and compare it to what you are doing now.”

“With everything going on in the world right now, making a difference, no matter how small, is the most exciting thing to me.”

This is not Sollars’ first internship experience. In 2021, she interned for Okemos Legal Group PLLC, a private law firm in Okemos, Michigan, in which she conducted legal research, drafted legal documents, processed transactions and document purchases, and handled confidential information between clients and attorneys.

Sollars says she learned a lot from these two internship experiences. 

“There are certain responsibilities that are unique to both,” she said. “Privately, you are free to practice what you want, charge what you want, and you have a duty to your client. Publicly, you have a duty to the people to do what is best for them. They are paying your bills after all.”

With each internship, her desire to become an attorney has increased.

“I learned that I really do want to be an attorney. I always have, but these internships strengthened my feelings about it,” she said. 

As Sollars looks forward to graduating in May 2023, she offers this advice to fellow students: 

“Utilize your resources! It’s so important to have a good Indeed, Handshake, and an even better LinkedIn account. Employers are actively searching for candidates and they will start there first. Also, make sure you ask your professors and peers in any clubs you are in about internships. Finally, be strong. Looking for internships is such a daunting task. You will receive rejections but know that those rejections are getting you one step closer to the internship that is a perfect fit for you!”