By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Santana Hill was a journalism major at Wayne State University — until a course called “The City,” focusing on the unique challenges facing Detroit, propelled her in another direction.
“I discovered I wanted to influence the news, not just report it,” said Hill who switched to political science. “I wanted to know what I can do to influence Detroit, and make my mark instead of being a passive observer, and I thought learning the theory behind politics and policy would be an interesting start.”
Hill was drawn to the study of law for the same reasons.
“I noticed that policies and laws influenced every direction the City of Detroit took,” she said. “I wanted to be able to understand the intersection of law and politics, evaluate the effectiveness of policy changes, and anticipate the unintended consequences of different policies. In short, I wanted to know: How did Detroit get to its lowest point, and how do we fix it?”
Hill is now a student at Detroit Mercy Law School, where she appreciates the sense of family.
“Everyone here wants you to do your best, and they understand that life sometimes happens,” she said. “I was a victim of domestic violence, and that prevented me from devoting my full attention to law school until I could escape. I talked to my professors, who understood, and helped me evaluate my options.”
Associate Dean of Student Affairs Megan Jennings gave Hill the option of taking a leave of absence, discussed how it would affect her studies, and what her obligations would be upon her return.
“Above all, she stressed that she wanted me to return as soon as I could get myself sorted out and I felt her sincerity,” Hill said.
On her return, Hill switched from the part time day program to the evening program.
“I met some of the most amazing people — the evening program is like a little family,” she said.
As president of the school’s Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International, Hill enjoys reaching out to the student body.
“So often, law students are so focused on the academics, they forget to get involved in the world around them,” she said. “I like to demonstrate that PAD can be a welcome break from the rigors of academics, while still providing enrichment in the legal profession.”
A member of the Criminal Law Society, where she enjoys the focus on advocacy, Hill is passionate about criminal defense, and would like to become a public defender. One of her interests is helping people get their criminal records expunged.
“It can sometimes be a large hindrance to someone who has turned their life around to have a conviction hanging over their head,” she said. “I try to volunteer whenever there is an ‘expungement fair’ going on.”
Her specific legal focus is in real estate, landlord-tenant law in the City of Detroit, and home buying in the city.
“There is a large amount of tenants who do not know their rights, and landlords who take advantage of that,” she said. “There are also a lot of people who get swindled by others selling homes that are vacant, in disrepair, or that they flat out don't own,” she said.
Ultimately, Hill said, her career goals “are to work where I can provide education and legal services to people in landlord-tenant disputes, and who seek to buy housing in the city so they don't get scammed.”
Hill brings real estate background to her law studies, having worked as a title and closing specialist for the Detroit Land Bank Authority.
“I enjoyed seeing the look of joy on the client's faces at the signing table, when they finally purchased that home or lot next door to them,” she says. “I enjoyed hearing how they planned to transform the space, and how they finally have a place to call their own.”
She also has worked for Title Source in Detroit, preparing tax certificates for purchase and refinance transactions.
“I enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere, the fast pace, and the learning experience, and I learned about almost all sides of a lender financed real estate transaction,” she said.
The Detroit native still lives in the Motor City with her new husband Stephen and 4-year-old son, Prince. Despite her busy work and law study schedule, she finds time to help Girl Scout troops earn their cookie badges, and also is interning with District 5 Detroit Police Commissioner Willie Burton’s re-election campaign.
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