For Armand Shabany, the decision to become an attorney has always been rooted in one simple idea: helping people when they need it most.
Growing up in St. Charles, Missouri, Shabany remembers watching Law & Order as a kid and imagining what it would be like to stand up for people who had been treated unfairly. That early fascination eventually developed into a calling—one that led him to earn a journalism degree from the University of Missouri before continuing his education at Saint Louis University School of Law, where he is entering his third and final year.
“I’ve always wanted my life to be about helping people who have been wronged,” Shabany said. “People don’t usually go to lawyers when things are going well. They come to us during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and I’ve always wanted to be someone who could make a positive difference.”
That purpose is one of the reasons SWMW Law immediately felt like the right fit.
Shabany joined the firm after what he describes as a chance interview, but it didn’t take long for him to realize he had found something special. From his very first days at the firm, he was trusted with meaningful work on active cases rather than simply observing from the sidelines.
“When I started, they immediately had me doing real work on real cases,” he said. “The longer I’ve been here and the more people I’ve gotten to know, the more reassured I’ve become that I’m exactly where I need to be.”
Unlike many internships, where students spend much of their time performing repetitive administrative tasks, Shabany says every week at SWMW Law brought new opportunities to learn and grow.
“I’ve loved knowing that I’m not just doing busy work,” he said. “I get to try something completely new every few days, and I’ve had so many firsts in such a short amount of time. The best part has been having incredible guidance while also being trusted to figure things out for myself.”
Much of Shabany’s summer was spent in the firm’s Asbestos Bankruptcy Department, where he worked alongside Member Lauren Williams, Partner Matthew Nelke, Trust Manager Ja’nelle Herring, and the rest of the team. There, he drafted affidavits, prepared and submitted trust claims, analyzed deposition testimony, and tracked asbestos product exposure evidence. During his rotation with the firm’s FELA and personal injury practice, he investigated cases, observed depositions, and even drafted his first legal complaint—an experience he describes as a significant milestone in his legal education.
Although the practice areas differ greatly, each rotation reinforced the reason he wanted to become an attorney in the first place.
“What I’ve come to love most about practicing law is using it to help people who are struggling find some relief,” he said. “Many of these clients have had their lives changed by something completely outside of their control. Being able to work on their behalf after they’ve been unfairly hurt is a privilege.”
Throughout the summer, Shabany also had opportunities to communicate directly with clients by phone and email, giving him a greater appreciation for the trust clients place in their legal team and the importance of every interaction throughout a case.
His experience has also solidified his plans for the future. After graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law, Shabany hopes to become licensed in both Missouri and Illinois—and, if all goes according to plan, return to SWMW Law as a full-time attorney after passing the bar exam.
Outside the office, Shabany is an avid music enthusiast who enjoys playing guitar, listening to vinyl records, discovering new restaurants, traveling, and attending concerts. Whether he’s exploring a new city, searching for hidden record stores, or spending time outdoors with friends, he’s always looking for his next adventure.
Looking back on his internship, however, it’s the people at SWMW Law who made the biggest impression.
“This firm has really made me feel at home,” he said. “Everyone here wants you to succeed. They’ve created a supportive team where people genuinely care about one another, and they’ve always been there whenever I’ve needed help. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.”