By Savannah Swix
MSU Law
"Lawyers can have such a profound impact on someone's life," said Doaa Al-Howaishy, a statement that she knows from the perspective of both client and attorney. When she was young, her family came to the United States as refugees. Al-Howaishy said some of the earliest interactions she remembers from that time in her life were with the attorneys who guided her family through the immigration process with great care. After her experience as a child, when it came to professions, there was no question what she wanted to be.
She received her bachelor's degree in criminal justice, pursuing her goal within the legal field to become a trial attorney. At Michigan State University College of Law, she was heavily involved in organizations and courses that allowed her the space to establish connections and practice critical skills, which included receiving her litigation certificate through the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute.
Al-Howaishy, as a "people person," emphasized the importance of comradery amidst the chaos of law school, and she made a natural effort to be a friendly face to her peers. As a member of the Michigan State Law Review, she found community among her classmates a place where they could commiserate and connect.
"I found really great friends there," she said. "The relationships I made there still last to this day, even though we don't see each other every day in the Law Review office."
Her involvement went beyond the Law College during her studies. She completed several internships, including a summer associate position with Butzel Long, which led to a full-time associate job after graduation. Al-Howaishy worked for two years in private practice at the firm, researching and writing, meeting with clients, and building relationships with her colleagues.
As an assistant prosecutor now working in the District Courts Division of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Al-Howaishy relies on her people skills more than ever in a position that requires constant communication with witnesses, co-counsel, the community, and more and she couldn't be happier.
"I like interacting with people. I'm good with people, so it is exciting for me," she said. "I'm an extrovert. I get energy from being in those situations."
She's thrilled to be working in the public sector in her hometown of Detroit, where she always hoped she'd return.
"Wayne County is where I always wanted to be a prosecutor. I grew up in Detroit. Detroit is my community," she said. "Detroit is home."
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Reprinted with permission from Michigan State University College of Law
Published: Tue, Mar 10, 2020
