Megan McGuire

What motivated you to pursue a career in law? 

I never grew up thinking I would become an attorney. Law was not a lifelong dream of mine, but something I began seriously considering during college after taking a course called Inside-Out, where I learned alongside men serving prison sentences. That experience completely changed my perspective. Sitting in a classroom together, I realized how similar we all were, despite having ended up in very different circumstances. It made me recognize how much opportunity, environment, and access to support systems can shape a person’s life. Many of the men I met had faced injustices and obstacles that I had never experienced myself, and I began to understand how easily people’s voices can be overlooked or taken away within certain systems. That class ultimately showed me the power of advocacy. I was drawn to the idea of becoming a voice for people who feel unheard and helping others navigate systems that can often feel intimidating or inaccessible. Pursuing a career in law felt like a meaningful way to make an impact in people’s lives while standing up for those who may not always be able to stand up for themselves. 

What experiential learning experiences (clinics, internships, trials teams, affinity groups, etc.) did you participate in, and how did they contribute to your legal education? 

One of the most valuable parts of my experience at Temple University Beasley School of Law was the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning both inside and outside of the classroom. During my 2L year, I participated in a criminal law practicum with the Honorable J. Scott O’Keefe in the homicide division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. That experience allowed me to connect the criminal law and criminal procedure concepts I was learning in class to real courtroom proceedings. Observing attorneys, defendants, witnesses, and judges in such a high-stakes environment gave me a much deeper understanding of the human side of the legal system and exposed me to different lawyering styles and approaches to advocacy. It helped shape the kind of advocate I hope to be for my future clients. I also participated in Temple’s Integrated Trial Advocacy Program (iTAP), which was one of the most impactful parts of my legal education. Through iTAP, I had the opportunity to strengthen my public speaking and courtroom advocacy skills through simulated litigation exercises. I learned how to take and defend depositions, conduct direct and cross examinations, and think strategically about presenting witnesses and building a case theory. It was an invaluable opportunity to gain confidence in practical litigation skills in a supportive environment before entering practice. Outside of the courtroom setting, I was fortunate to serve as Co-President of the Women’s Law Caucus. That role allowed me to connect with inspiring women across the legal profession while helping create programming, panels, and networking opportunities for students. It also reinforced the importance of mentorship and community within the legal field. I additionally participated in clinics with both the Pennsylvania Innocence Project and the Philadelphia Municipal Court Civil Division landlord-tenant court. Through the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, I worked on an exoneration case for a semester, which was an incredibly meaningful experience that emphasized the importance of diligence, empathy, and attention to detail in legal advocacy. In landlord-tenant court, I served as a mediator for disputes, where I developed practical negotiation and communication skills while working directly with individuals navigating difficult situations. Together, these experiences gave me a well-rounded legal education grounded in both advocacy and client-centered problem solving. 

Which faculty members influenced you the most, and how? 

Two faculty members who had a particularly meaningful impact on my experience were adjunct professors Sophia Lee and Bobbi Liebenberg, who co-taught a course on gender equity at Temple University Beasley School of Law. Their class stood out because it addressed issues that are often not openly discussed in traditional legal education, including motherhood bias, unequal pay, access to mentorship and sponsorship, and the structural barriers that can impact advancement in the legal profession. Having open and honest conversations about these topics created a learning environment that felt both eye-opening and validating. Beyond the subject matter, both professors went out of their way to support students on a personal level. They invested time in helping us think practically about our future careers, including developing business plans and considering the kind of professional lives we wanted to build. Just as importantly, they consistently encouraged us to stay authentic and true to ourselves in what can be a demanding and competitive profession. Their mentorship left a lasting impression on me and shaped how I think about both advocacy and professionalism moving forward. 

What advice would you give to current or prospective Temple Law students? 

Temple has been my home for the past 10 years, and I truly can’t imagine a better place to have grown both personally and professionally. When choosing a law school, there are so many factors to consider—curriculum, professors, bar passage rates, and career outcomes—but I think one of the most important questions is often overlooked: what kind of lawyer do I want to become? For me, having already experienced Temple as an undergraduate made that decision clear. When I was accepted to Temple Law, I knew it was where I wanted to continue building my foundation. What I’ve come to appreciate even more since then is the culture of the school itself. I’ve heard from many classmates who came from other institutions that what stands out most about Temple is the sense of community and genuine support from faculty and staff. There is a real investment in student success—not just academically, but in shaping students into confident, capable, and grounded attorneys. My advice to current and prospective students is to take full advantage of that environment. Lean into the resources, mentorship, and opportunities available, and don’t lose sight of the type of attorney and person you want to be while you’re here. Temple truly gives you the tools — you just have to be willing to use them. 

Do you have any networking advice for current or prospective students? 

My biggest networking advice is to attend as many networking events as you can and be intentional about showing up. These are the spaces where real connections are built—not just for future job opportunities, but for referrals, leadership roles, and, just as importantly, a community of support that you’ll rely on throughout your legal career. One thing I’ve learned is that the strongest professional relationships are rarely built on law alone. When you can find something outside of the profession to connect with someone about—shared interests, experiences, or even just a good conversation—it creates a much more genuine connection. Those moments tend to stand out and are often what turn a brief introduction into a lasting professional relationship. 

How did you balance law school with your personal life and responsibilities? 

I won’t lie, balancing law school with personal life can be really difficult at times. There are moments when you feel guilty for missing family events, dinners with friends, or time you wish you could spend outside of studying. For me, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a strong and supportive group of people around me who understood the demands of law school and were patient with my schedule. During 1L year especially, I struggled with finding balance and often felt like I had to be “on” academically all the time. As I adjusted, I realized that I was actually more successful when I gave myself permission to step away from my books and spend time doing things that recharged me. Whether it was going to book club, taking workout classes, or simply going out for a meal with friends, those breaks weren’t distractions—they made me better when I returned to studying. Law school is a commitment I made to myself, and while no one can do the readings for you, I learned the importance of letting your support system support you. That’s exactly what they’re there for, and leaning on them makes the process not only more manageable, but more sustainable. 

What do you wish you had known before starting law school? 

Law school will change you both professionally and personally in ways that are hard to fully anticipate before you begin. I was prepared for the professional growthbut I was not expecting such a profound personal transformation as well. I grew more in these three years than during any other period of my life. One of the biggest surprises for me was realizing that life does not pause for law school. You are still navigating breakups, family challenges, illness—whether it’s your own or a loved one’s—loss, friendships evolving, financial stress, and all the other unexpected moments that come with being a person. For me, even things like a family member being sick or major changes in friendships felt especially overwhelming in 1L because I hadn’t yet figured out how to hold both realities at once. I remember experiencing the first “bad” thing in my personal life just weeks into law school and feeling completely thrown off. I didn’t yet understand how to keep going when it felt like law school demanded every ounce of my attention, while real life was still happening around me. Over time, I learned that part of becoming a lawyer is also learning how to carry both—that you don’t put your life on hold for law school, and law school doesn’t pause for your life. What I wish I had known is that you don’t have to be perfect at balancing it from the start. It takes time to adjust, and it’s okay to feel stretched or uncertain. Eventually, you learn how to keep going, lean on your support system, and allow yourself grace in both spaces.