Hackstaff Snow Atkinson & Griess is proud to offer summer internships as a way to help the next generation of lawyers prepare for a successful law career, no matter what area of law they choose to pursue. We are pleased to announce that law student Mary-Preston Austin began a summer internship with us on May 18, 2022.  

Ms. Austin comes to our firm with a versatile background both inside and outside the legal realm. Before attending law school, she worked as a wilderness guide at Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado. In 2021, she interned with Guernica 37 Barrister Chambers in London, performing background research and working on appeals across international jurisdictions, in complex litigation, and in both criminal and civil matters.  

Mock Trial Expertise 

She’s a self-described “mock trial nerd,” having served as nationally-ranked Wheaton College’s Mock Trial president and team captain during her sophomore through senior year. She became the most individually decorated 4-year competitor in college mock trials upon her graduation. However, Mary-Preston didn’t end her mock trial career there. Instead, she is currently both a competitor and coach for Vanderbilt University Law School’s mock trial program. 

Education and Professional Experience 

She is expected to graduate from Vanderbilt University Law School in May 2023. Here her honors, activities, and affiliations include: 

• Chancellor’s Law Scholar 
• American Constitution Society 
• International Law Society 
• Federalist Society 
• Student Attorney, First Amendment Practice Clinic 
• Moot Court 
• Women Law Students’ Association 
• Best Attorney, 1L Mock Trial 
• VP of Traveling Teams, Vanderbilt Law School Mock Trial 

Before attending law school, Ms. Austin earned a B.A. in English and Business & Economics, a Minor in German, and her Legal Studies Certificate at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. Among many of her impressive accomplishments, she received the Charles Blanchard Presidential Award (largest merit scholarship) and made the Dean’s list every semester. 

Mary-Preston’s other professional and education experiences include: 

• Marketing 
• Managing a student endowment fund 
• Writing pedagogy and research instruction 
• Co-teaching an advanced seminar in Justice, Law, and Society with a professor and judge 
• Drafting contract summaries and case briefings 
• Working with students to hone argumentative writing skills through seminars and one-on-one instruction 
• Founding Member and Cabinet Business manager of Wheaton College’s Mediation Program 
• Published writer and editor 

More About Mary-Preston 

Mary-Preston gives back to the community as a regular volunteer in adaptive outdoor sports, especially rock climbing. She’s also certified as an advanced open water diver. In her spare time, she enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, cycling, diving, writing, and woodworking. She is fluent in German and is working on learning Spanish after backpacking in Central America in 2019. 

We look forward to working closely with Ms. Austin over the next couple of months to ensure she receives the experiences necessary to propel her legal career forward as she prepares for law school graduation. Congratulations and welcome aboard, Mary-Preston! We know all your hard work and unique experiences will lend to your internship work at HSAG and all that you pursue in the future.