Originally posted on 12/10/2020 (reformatted).

SBM YLS is excited to introduce Jacquelyn Babinski as one of our newest Council Members, representing District III! In order to get to know a bit more about Jacquelyn, we held a  virtual interview, which can be found here:

Where are you currently employed? Babinski Law, PLLC (private practice in Davison, MI practicing education and criminal law) and Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (as a contract attorney practicing education law)

Where did you attend law school? Michigan State University College of Law

What objectives/goals do you have related to your new position as Council Member? I am looking forward to connecting with other young attorneys and developing a project dedicated to bringing awareness to education law and assisting students with disabilities. I’m also looking to be more actively involved with the council and the State Bar of Michigan, representing west Michigan. 

Tell us your favorite thing about your geographic region in Michigan: Currently I am in Genesee County and I appreciate how committed to growth the city of Flint and Genesee County as a whole are. However, I will be moving to Ludington, MI in the new year and I am greatly looking forward to being so close to Lake Michigan and to joining a connected and tight-knit community. 

Why did you choose to pursue a legal career? After getting my Bachelor’s degree, I worked as a juvenile probation officer. I loved the position and working with the children on my case load, but felt the office polices, while understandable, prevented me from developing a working relationship with my clients outside of their delinquency case to really advocate for their needs long-term and be available to help them. I pursued a legal career to have that flexibility to maintain a working relationship with my clients beyond their individual case and ensure they continued to receive the support and connection to community they needed to thrive. 

What is one (or two) pieces of advice you wish you knew when you were starting your legal career that you know now? Take the time for self-care and trust your gut to follow your dreams.

What is the best part of your job? Helping students get the educational services and aids they need to learn, and then watching them make actual progress toward their education curriculum. 

What is surprising about your job that others may not know? That it exists! Education law is such a niche area and the need is so much greater than the number of attorneys and advocates providing assistance. 

What do you like to do in your spare time (i.e. hobbies and interests)? I love reading history books (usually presidential biographies or books on the revolutionary war/constitutional era), listening to true crime podcasts, and watching cooking shows or HGTV. I also love taking day trips to explore different parts of Michigan. 

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Photographic Memory

And I have to ask this question (though I feel so many interviews do!) –  If you could have lunch with any person, living or dead, who would it be? Why? Audrey Hepburn, because I think she seems so sweet and classy; Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favorite movies.