Detroit Mercy Law student Sydney Gebara (right) is pictured with her sisters (left to right) Charlotte, Autumn, and Olivia.
(Photo courtesy of Sydney Gebara)
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Law student Sydney Gebara’s goal has always been to make a positive impact on the world—and to that end, she earned her undergrad degree from Michigan State University in International Relations.
“I felt I needed to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the intersection between economics, culture, education, political theory, and the impact they have on societies,” she says.
After her 2019 graduation, Gebara spent a year as a legal assistant for Sinas Dramis in Lansing, with the intention of going on to pursue a law degree.
“I enjoyed the exposure Sinas Dramis gave me to the legal field. It was there I was able to have my first experiences with direct client interactions, case screenings, legal research and writing, and was fortunate enough to work with some of the most exemplary mentors in the field—and thanks to them I was able to make an informed and confident decision in going to law school,” she says.
As the first person in her family to study law, Gebara is often asked why she chose this path.
“The truth is, I decided to study law because it’s not simply a profession—it’s a mechanism by which I’m empowered to create real and lasting change, whether that’s in the life of just one person or society as a whole,” she says. “The study of law also allows me to use my skills of abstract thinking, problem-solving, and follow my passions of seeking justice, removing bias, and protecting fundamental human rights.”
Having completed her 2L year at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Gebara is enjoying many of the countless opportunities provided by the school.
“The community is so supportive and willing to help you take that next step to further yourself and your legal career,” she says.
A four-month summer internship last year at the school’s Veterans Law Clinic was one of the most challenging courses she has taken, she says.
“The clinic taught me how to handle real-world deadlines, manage multiple clients on my own, and learn many of the ins and outs of a completely new area of law calmly and effectively. It was a true honor to work in the clinic and assist our veterans in receiving the benefits they not only are entitled to but deserve.”
In that same time frame, she also was a law clerk at Lakeshore Legal Aid in Detroit, advocating for clients on the record in 36th District Court and the Third Circuit Court, and was exposed to numerous areas of law and gained meaningful and practical experience.
Since last November she has been interning at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office—Conviction Integrity Unit.
“Working under (director) Valerie Newman in one of the most active CIUs in the country has been one of the greatest and most influential experiences of my career,” she says. “We work every day to investigate claims of innocence in an effort to improve the criminal justice system from the inside out. The work is invaluable, provides real lasting impacts to the lives of the innocent people that have been wrongly convicted, and serves to correct the grievous wrongs of the past.”
Over the last couple of years in law school, Gebara has explored many different areas of law; and her main interests always return to criminal defense, corporate, and international law.
“My first love is litigation,” she says. “I enjoy the challenge, excitement, and opportunity it provides to help clients when they are often in one of the most difficult positions of their lives. That being said, I am eager to take on every opportunity that comes my way.”
Gebara is president of the Women’s Law Caucus, the Community Advisor for Community W.E.B., a Junior Member on Moot Court, as well as a member of the Arab American Law Student Association, the Environmental Law Society, and the Business Law Society. For her, serving as president of the Women’s Law Caucus has been a very rewarding experience.
“It’s provided a platform for me to connect my passions for community service, mentorship, the advancements of women, and the promotion of equality, equity, and social justice,” she says.
While the pandemic brought a specific set of unexpected challenges, Gebara says she has been fortunate to have an extremely supportive community.
“Something as simple as a FaceTime with my mom during the day, or an encouraging text from my dad saying, ‘I know it’s hard right now, but I am so proud of you,’ gets me through those more difficult moments,” she says.
Born in Detroit and raised in Sterling Heights, Gebara spent many of her childhood weekends in Detroit with her grandmother, assisting in her work to end homelessness.
At the age of 12, Gebara moved to Okemos in Ingham County, where her parents still reside.
“My family has always been my home base—they are everything to me,” she says. “They are the ones I turn to at my highest and my lowest points, the ones who check in just to see how my day has been—and are my biggest supporters through it all. I would not be half the person I am today without them, and truly thank them for everything.”
Gebara, who enjoys exercising, traveling to new and exciting destinations, and baking, currently makes her home in downtown Detroit.
“I’m loving every moment of it,” she says. “I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to not only witness but be a part of the revitalization of the city that I hold so dear. There are many people that will say ‘Detroit is coming back,’ but I’m of the firm belief that Detroit never left, and time after time the people, the heart and soul of this city, prove that. I look forward to continuing to live and work in Detroit for many years to come.”
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