By Jo Mathis
Legal News
Detroit native Wendy Turner Lewis attended Cass Technical High School, the University of Michigan for her undergraduate studies, and Howard University School of Law in Washington D.C. for her J.D.
After graduating law school, she completed a clerkship with the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit. She then became a staff attorney with the UAW Ford Legal Services, primarily practicing bankruptcy law and representing debtors in Chapter 7 and 13 cases.
Lewis later joined the firm Lewis & Munday, P.C. as a staff attorney in the litigation department where she was primarily responsible for the firm’s bankruptcy practice, representing creditors that included General Motors Corp., General Motors Acceptance Corporation, the city of Detroit, and American Investment Bank.
In addition to her position as a U.S. Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee for the Eastern District of Michigan for the past 18 years, she runs her own bankruptcy practice in midtown Detroit, primarily assisting persons filing personal bankruptcies.
What is your proudest moment as a lawyer? It is always the moment when I see a client cry tears of joy and happiness from the positive results of their legal case.
What’s the best compliment you’ve received? The best compliment has always been from my bankruptcy clients, that I care about them; they are happy about the results, very relieved and are moving on with a fresh start on their finances and their lives.
When you were considering law school, what was Plan B? Plan B was to teach or give counseling in some capacity.
What would surprise people about your job? How meaningful it is for me to assist my clients in their financial situations.
What kind of time-managing system do you use? My smartphone. With an app and some battery power, my phone can get all things done and organized at home or the office.
What’s the best advice you ever received? I learned my legal reputation in this field will be what makes your journey as a lawyer work and succeed. Without high work ethic, integrity and the ability to care about the outcome of your work, you will have little to love, salvage and/or appreciate.
What has been your biggest hurdle during your legal career? Being a woman and being a woman who strives to be both a stellar mom and lawyer, while still holding on to a bit of quiet time has been tough; but I think that with hard work and the right priorities in place, both things in my life have grown and have become successful.
What word do you overuse? “Amazing!”
What is something most people don’t know about you? I love golf and play as much as I can.
What was always written on your grade school report card? “Excellent student; she listens and is eager to learn.”
Favorite local hangouts? Midtown Detroit eateries, Downtown Detroit entertainment centers, Birmingham hangouts; Royal Oak and Ferndale.
Favorite websites? Pinterest.com; Houzz.com; Twitter and all of the news outlets.
What is your most treasured material possession? All my wonderful pictures of yesterdays gone by, with family, friends and wonderful colleagues.
What is your happiest childhood memory? Waking up Christmas morning and spending the entire day under the Christmas tree, with the fire going and sharing the day with my parents and siblings.
What do you wish someone would invent? An extra block of time in our days.
When you look back into the past, what do you miss most? All the moments—mostly in my twenties—I spent working and developing in my mind and on paper what my future would develop into; what my future would look and feel like.
What is your most typical mood? Usually relaxed and introspective; while always being patient, kind and wearing a smile.
What were you doing in your last selfie? Smiling and taking a picture with one of my sons.
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