Seasoned lawyer Lauren (Makar) Haley ’93 opened the latest Alumni Roundtable event on Thursday, April 10, by reflecting on how Blair “profoundly changed the trajectory of my life”—from guiding her toward a different academic path to introducing her to a friend who would eventually lead her to her future husband. Ms. Haley came prepared with not only anecdotes of her time at Blair, but also turning points in her life that paved the way for a successful legal career. 

The event supplemented Blair’s Alumni Roundtables, a series that brings graduates from a wide range of industries back to campus to share their professional and life experiences with current students. 

Upon leaving Blair, Ms. Haley graduated from the University of Rochester with a bachelors of arts degree in health and society in 1997 and her juris doctorate degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2002. Her first job out of law school was at a trade association, where she primarily focused on government affairs. It was there that she developed an important professional relationship, an experience that underscored one of her key pieces of advice: to make genuine professional and personal connections. That connection led to a job in government, where she realized just how passionate she was about wanting to make a positive difference in the country’s healthcare policy.

Today, Ms. Haley serves as the general counsel and corporate secretary for Spring Health and sits on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Resource Center, a local nonprofit whose mission is to end domestic violence in Newport, Rhode Island. Over the years, the tenacious alum has held positions at institutions such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, McDermott Will & Emery, and Magellan Health. After many years working in Washington, D.C., she and her husband moved their family to Newport, Rhode Island, a location she describes as “an idyllic place to raise [my] teenage boys.” 

As the evening drew to a close, more students stepped forward to ask for advice on how to get their foot in the door in law, especially the competitive world of “big law,” after leaving school. Ms. Haley eased their concerns and reiterated how her path hadn’t always been linear and that the important thing to keep in mind was what the students felt passionate about.

“If you want to study law, begin thinking about an area you want to study. For example, there is civil and criminal litigation, property law, health law, corporate law, etc. You can go to a small, medium or big firm. You can be in-house counsel at a company working as their lawyer or you can work as a government lawyer. 

In general, think about the topics you enjoy and consider how to apply a legal framework around that topic as a career.”

Additional visits with experts in their fields will be scheduled throughout the end of the year through the Alumni Roundtables, offering more opportunities for students to engage with Blair graduates. These events will continue to provide students with insights into a wide range of careers and professional paths, fostering meaningful connections between current students and Blair’s accomplished alumni network.