Career Paths: Makayla Foust ’26L  After graduation, Makayla Foust will work in Misdemeanor Early Representation Unit at the Dekalb County Public Defender’s Office.

Makayla Foust ’26L

Makayla Foust ‘26L is from Fredericksburg, Virginia. She earned her B.A. in politics with a minor in psychology from the University of Virginia. Makayla took nine months off between undergrad and law school, where she worked as a substitute teacher. At W&L Law, Makayla is a note editor on the Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, a student attorney in the Criminal Justice Clinic, a member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), and a fellow with Professor Lawlor’s Academic Excellence program. Outside of law school, Makayla enjoys walking the trails with her dogs Bella and Sparky.

Where will you be working after graduation and in what practice area?

I will be working at the Dekalb County Public Defender’s Office as a Misdemeanor Early Representation Unit (ERU) attorney, primarily working on misdemeanor first appearance hearings.

Did you know coming into law school that you wanted to be a public defender?

Yes, I came into law school with the goal of becoming a public defender. I’ve always been passionate about helping those in need and protecting people’s rights. I also enjoy meeting so many different people and hearing their stories.

Was there anything in your law school or summer job experience that confirmed this career choice?

I spent my 2L summer interning at DeKalb PD’s. While there, I was able to gain hands-on experience working on cases, observing court proceedings, and assisting attorneys with client interactions, which gave me a deeper understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of a public defender. I was also able to tour several Georgia facilities, including the DeKalb County Jail, Georgia Regional Hospital, and the Medical Examiner’s Office, which provided valuable insight into the broader systems the clients interact with. Everyone in DeKalb was incredibly helpful and insightful, and they showed me what it truly means to be a strong advocate.

What classes do you think are helpful to prepare for this job?

While not exactly a class in the traditional sense like Criminal Investigations and Criminal Adjudications, which were very helpful in building a strong foundation, working as a student attorney in the Criminal Justice Clinic was an even more impactful experience. In the clinic, we essentially function as public defenders under the supervision of an attorney who allowed us to learn through direct experience, take on responsibility, and grow as advocates for our clients, while applying everything we learned in law school.

Can you describe the job search process?

I knew early on what area I wanted to work in, so I tailored my job search specifically toward public defense. I spent time researching different offices in the area, learning about their structures, caseloads, and hiring timelines. From there, I cold emailed as many circuit defenders as I could find, introducing myself, expressing my interest, and asking about any potential opportunities or guidance they could offer.

After interning with the DeKalb Public Defender’s Office, I made it a point to stay connected with the office. I followed up periodically every few months to check in on any upcoming openings or interview cycles and to reiterate my continued interest in working there. Building and maintaining those relationships, along with consistently staying on their radar, played a big role in the process.

What are you most looking forward to about this job?

What I am most looking forward to about this job is the opportunity to serve clients directly and advocate for people who often do not have a voice in the system. I am excited to continue developing as a trial attorney, building strong client relationships, and working on meaningful cases that have a real impact on people’s lives. I also look forward to learning from experienced defenders and being part of a team that is committed to protecting constitutional rights and ensuring fair representation.