From the Court to the Courtroom: Law Student Advocates for Equity

From the Court to the Courtroom: Law Student Advocates for Equity

For Wylie Coyne, the path to a legal career didn't begin in a classroom - it started on the basketball court.

A Denver native, Coyne balanced a rigorous academic schedule with a professional basketball career in Puerto Rico, playing four seasons in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino while earning her bachelor's degree online. Competing alongside older athletes from around the world helped her develop strong time management skills and exposed her to broader inequities.

While playing overseas, Coyne witnessed disparities in resources between men's and women's sports. Seeing fellow athletes organize and advocate for better conditions became a defining moment.

"Seeing how much better the men's league was treated versus the resources that we had, it really stood out to me," she said.

Coyne eventually decided she wanted something new and enrolled at The University of Toledo's College of Law. and will graduate Sunday, May 10, in the Toledo Law commencement ceremony at Thompson Student Union Auditorium. She quickly immersed herself in campus life, serving as treasurer of the Black Law Students Association, vice president of the Mindful Advocates Association and vice president of the Sports Law Society.

Through hands-on experience in the Immigration Justice Clinic, she worked directly with clients navigating complex legal challenges.

"Working with clients has been incredibly meaningful," she said. "Being able to work with people directly and see how real their experiences are, that has been tough at times but very, very fulfilling."

Professor Eugenio Mollo, who mentored Coyne, praised her commitment.

"She approaches her work with focus and professionalism," Mollo said. "She is disciplined, perceptive, and a strong writer, but what truly distinguishes Wylie is her genuine commitment to her clients and the community she serves."

Following graduation, Coyne will begin her legal career in education and employment law at Marshall & Melhorn. Ultimately, she hopes to merge her legal career with sports by representing athletes and advocating for equity, already taking steps to guide student-athletes through name, image and likeness (NIL) agreements.

As a first-generation college student, her advice to incoming law students is to use their voices confidently.

"You come in asking, 'Do I belong here? Do I have what it takes to be here?' " she said. "If I could tell anyone anything, it's that you were allowed into this space. You should use your voice like your voice was invited into the space because it's meant to be there."