by Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Attorney Andrea Badalucco’s first career was as an opera singer; after earning her undergrad degree in music performance from the University of Michigan, and her master’s degree in voice and opera from the University of Southern California, she sang as a soloist on stages around the world including New York’s Metropolitan Opera, and will be singing for the Pope with the Sistine Chapel Choir.
Following her singing career, Badalucco turned to law. She earned her J.D. from Detroit Mercy Law School, then worked in private practice and in the Special Victims Section of the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Badalucco recently joined the Southfield office of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, as a senior attorney, focusing her practice primarily in the family law arena.
She has more than a decade of courtroom experience in civil, criminal, family law and juvenile matters. Drawn to the particular needs of clients in family law, she has dedicated her time to serving those navigating the sometimes-complex arena of the family court system.
Badalucco enjoys spending her free time with her family, singing at her church, skiing, and cooking. She is a “terrible golfer,” but hopes to give it another try soon.
What would surprise people about your job/practice? The area of family law requires both a soft touch and a tough approach. Managing that balance is sometimes hard to strike.
Why did you become a lawyer? I wanted to give a voice to those with trouble making themselves heard; and I could not envision having my own family while pursuing my career as an opera singer. It seemed to me that law would provide some of the same challenges and joys derived in singing. So I made the change. What I loved about being an opera singer was expression through the words and music on a page. What I love about being a lawyer is that I can be vessel for my client and express their needs.
What’s your favorite law-related TV show? “Blue Bloods.”
Who are your law role models – real and/or fictional? [Now-retired Oakland County Circuit Court] Judge Steven N. Andrews is a true model for me. I worked for him during law school and learned how real-life law worked in the world. He had high expectations of himself, his staff, and of all lawyers who practiced in front of him. He was inspirational at a critical time for me in learning about law.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Make sure you have no distractions while in your first year of law school. Especially if you have been out of study habits due to a career change, like I had!
What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer? Getting a hug from a client.
What do you do to relax? Cook.
What other career path might you have chosen? Working for Ina Garten on the cooking show, “Barefoot Contessa.”
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Do not think that where you are wanting to go now is where you are going to wind up. Enjoy the ride!
Favorite app? Blue Apron.
Favorite music? Classical piano.
What has been your favorite year so far and why? The year my daughter was born because she made me a mommy.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? Israel.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do? Golf.
What is something most people don't know about you? That I shop like a man. I hate shopping so I go into a store, pick something out in 5 minutes – usually without trying it on – pay, and leave.
What’s the best advice you ever received? You are enough.
Favorite place to spend money? On vacation.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Singing alone onstage at the Metropolitan Opera with a full audience, full orchestra, and just having a ball.
What is the most unusual thing you have done? Traveled to various foreign cities with only my dog for company. Yes, I carried my own luggage and carried my own dog.
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