Monday Profile -- Nader Nassif

Nader Nassif is a trial attorney whose office is in downtown Ann Arbor. He founded the Nassif Law Firm and is a partner at Model Cities Legal Services. Nader, who received his bachelor's degree from University of Michigan-Dearborn and his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, focuses his work on criminal defense and entertainment law. Over the past couple of years he has shifted some of his practice into his working in the entertainment industry and now works with some of the biggest music producers, labels, and DJs in the world. Residence: Ann Arbor. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being constantly on vacation, exploring new (warm) places. I guess I am ready to retire already. What is your greatest fear? Failure. I think that is what has always driven me. Which living person do you most admire? My parents, they had to deal with me growing up. What is the trait you hate most in yourself? I procrastinate too much. What is the trait you hate most in others? Selfishness. If you suddenly had an extra room in your house, what would you do with it? Make it a fully equipped music studio. Currently reading... The Steve Jobs book, I haven't gotten around to reading the rest of it. It is a great book, just have not finished it yet. So I guess I am not currently reading anything. My mother always told me... If there is one 'A' in the class, you better get it. Well I didn't really follow that, I did my share of goofing off in school, but things have worked out ok. What was your most memorable meal? Bond Street Sushi in South Beach Miami. Every time I go to Miami I end up eating there like three times. Crispy Spicy Shrimp, and the Chilean Sea Bass Skewers are the two things to get there. What is your most treasured material possession? Probably my iPhone. Without it I would have no idea what I am supposed to be doing day to day. Plus, I have a ton of music on it. If you could do one thing professionally...When I was younger, I wanted to be a professional tennis player (played competitively growing up and was a nationally ranked junior player), but now I would say that I would like to produce and play music professionally. What are your favorite websites? Espn.com, beatport.com, facebook.com If you could have any car in the world, what would you drive? I'm happy with what I have now. A black BMW 650i. Where have you been that you will never return--if you can help it? Civil and divorce dockets. Favorite Ann Arbor area hang-outs: Melange, Black Pearl, The Arb. Your proudest moment(s) as a lawyer? Winning my first jury trial. It was an assault and battery case. I really helped out someone who was acting to defend his son. I proved to myself that I am capable of doing this job well. What would surprise people about your job? How much you can really help people get their lives on the right path. Getting charged with a crime could be a blessing in disguise. When and where were you happiest? Here and now, I have a great job, great family, and great friends. What's your greatest achievement: Being my own boss so early in my career, it has allowed me to do a lot more than I would have if I had worked for someone. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? You won't believe what you will be doing for a living in 10 years. What's the oddest thing you ever bought? A tennis racket stringing machine. I was costing my parents a ton of money growing up playing tennis competitively. I was breaking strings almost every day. It saved me a lot of money, and I also used it to string rackets for other people to make money for myself. What would be your ideal job? A job that does itself. What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? How many people you are really able to help along the way. Criminal defense has so many facets to it that really are remarkable. Favorite joke: A priest, a doctor, and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers. Engineer: What's with these guys? We must have been waiting for 15 minutes! Doctor: I don't know, but I've never seen such ineptitude. Priest: Hey, here comes the greens keeper. Let's have a word with him. Priest: Hi George. Say, George, what's with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow today, aren't they? George: Oh yes, that's a group of blind firefighters. They lost their sight while saving our clubhouse last year, so we let them play here anytime free of charge. SILENCE. Priest: That's so sad, I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight. Doctor: Good idea. I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist buddy and see if there is anything we can do for them. Engineer: Why can't these guys play at night? What one habit do you wish you could break? Eating late at night. What is something most people don't know about you? I am an electronic music fiend. I am very involved in the industry related to music festivals, music producers, DJs, etc. What do you wish more people understood? That the people I represent are (for the most part) normal people who make mistakes, just like we all do. Favorite words: We find the defendant not guilty. Favorite movie: "My Cousin Vinny" and "Horrible Bosses." are two that come to mind. Favorite place to spend money: Anywhere on vacation. I feel like that is where I can use my money to really enjoy it. What is your motto? Work hard, play hard. Published: Mon, Apr 22, 2013

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