Marilu Marshall, B.B.A., '66, J.D. '69, took risks with career choices during her eclectic law career, but those choices paid off by opening the door to new professional opportunities. "When thinking about the future, don't be afraid to try something new, because you never know where it will lead you," she said. "The important thing is to keep learning throughout your life."
Marshall has taken that lesson to heart. After graduating from Miami Law, she went to work as a litigator with the U.S. Department of Justice's Organized Crime and Racketeering Section, then worked in the hospitality, cruise ship, and casino sectors before landing at the Estée Lauder Companies Inc. in New York. She held senior positions in the legal and human resources departments and is currently the global chief inclusion, diversity & equity officer for this multinational prestige beauty company.
Recently, Marshall made a bequest to Miami Law in honor of her mother, Louise Garcia Marshall, creating the Marilu and Louise Marshall Endowed Law Scholarship.
"I wanted to honor my mother, to recognize the fact that she taught me to believe in myself and supported my childhood dream of becoming an attorney, while making sure I knew I would need to work hard to get there," said Marshall. "Hard work earned me my scholarship which in turn enabled me to achieve my dream, but it all started with my mother's never-ending encouragement."
Miami Law will use the scholarship to support law students, with preference given for first-generation female students from underrepresented communities.
Marshall's parents were immigrants from Cuba who moved to New York after World War II. After her father died, the family moved to Coral Gables, where Marshall enjoyed watching "Perry Mason" with her grandmother. At an early age, she decided to become a lawyer rather than a teacher, nurse, or secretary — the traditional career paths for women in the 1950s. Like the TV character, she wanted to protect the innocent and bring criminals to justice, and she did during her years at the Department of Justice.
After graduating from Coral Gables High School, Marshall earned a business degree at the University of Miami, receiving full scholarships to both undergraduate and law school. At Miami Law, Dean M. Minnette Massey became a role model and a mentor — "the single most important person other than my mother"— in her education and e her career.
"One of the things I learned at Miami Law was the importance of not thinking about being the 'one and only,'" she said. "There were not a lot of women going to law school back then, but that didn't bother me. I was where I wanted to be and where I belonged, and I was treated by my male colleagues accordingly."
Marshall remains committed to the University of Miami. She served a three-year term on the board of trustees and currently serves on the alumni board and the Dean's Advisory Council at Miami Law. She recently attended and co-hosted the 50th-anniversary reunion of her law school class and reveled in reconnecting with former classmates.
"I am grateful to the University of Miami and Miami Law for providing me with the tools that enabled me to build a dream career," said Marshall. "My work has taken me on a wonderful journey around the world, made possible by my education and the experiences gained while at the U."
My hope is that this scholarship will enable another young person of limited financial means, unlimited career aspirations, and a strong academic performance to achieve their dreams and, in turn, give back when they can do so, continuing this legacy and making a difference in the lives of others," she said.
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