Sara Hayat, LLM ’18
Oxfam, Lahore, Pakistan

Coming to Michigan Law after practicing for six years in a male-dominated legal profession in Pakistan meant Sara Hayat was ambitious and accustomed to challenges. Exposure through a first LLM degree in the United Kingdom and an eclectic work palette convinced her that professional development must be supplemented with academic growth for unparalleled excellence.

With the support of her two fellowships, Sara was able to learn new ways of thinking about familiar areas of law, while also availing herself of fresh opportunities. She was nominated as a Salzburg Global Cutler Fellow and presented her first academic paper on “Climate Migrants and the Paris Agreement” in Washington, D.C., this year. She hopes it will be the first of many. Sara was also one of two students selected from across U-M to serve on the President’s Advisory Committee on Labor and Human Rights Standards, where she worked to introduce an environmental compliance policy into the University’s existing code of conduct for licensed goods and merchandise.

My time at Michigan Law has enriched my relationship with the law forever and is helping me become the best version of myself,” says Sara. “I remain grateful for Michigan’s investment in me.”