Malik Martin ’16: Aspiring Lawmaker Finds Path to Service

“I don’t want to be in a courtroom arguing the law—I want to create laws,” says Malik Martin, a 2016 graduate of the Purchase College Legal Studies program.  

“Serving in public office is the best way to bring change,” the Yonkers, NY native said as he wrapped up his first year at Albany Law School.  “My biggest goals involve implementing a job creation program and revamping our education policies to move from a cookie-cutter system into a more individualistic system.”

Prison reform and the creation of clear criminal statutes round out Martin’s top list of priority issues.

While in Albany, Martin has worked for the New York City Mayor’s Office of State Legislative Affairs where his responsibilities include watching bills of interest to the mayor at the New York State Assembly and Senate. He evaluates how many people voted, drafts reports on bills of high importance, and researches case law for the New York City Fire Department on protecting individuals signing contracts under duress.

“It’s interesting because if we have committee that day, and even though a certain bill wasn’t on the agenda, it will be moved from that Senate committee to the full Senate right away,” Martin said. “So you have to be very aware of what your assignments are.”

As he looked to the future, Martin was excited to become more involved in campus activities during his second year at Albany Law, life with his fiancée, and seizing on the opportunities to bring about positive change in his home state.

[Read more in the original article by Dayna Poskanzer on the Albany Law School website]