Dawn Welk Wise grew up in Midland and attended the University of Michigan for her undergraduate education and Wayne State University Law School for her law degree. She started working in a law firm as an undergraduate and pursued paralegal certification prior to law school.
During law school, she worked at the U-M Office of the General Counsel and the U.S. Department of Justice immigration court. After graduation, she joined Alice Irani’s immigration law practice in Ann Arbor, and has maintained that practice since Irani’s retirement. She has been working in the field of immigration law since 1992.
The Dexter resident and her husband, Dustin have been married for 20 years and have two daughters, Paige, 18, and Kendall, 16.
By Jo Mathis
Legal News
What is your proudest moment as a lawyer?
When your loved one is sick and my immigrant client has developed a treatment or cure, these are my proudest moments.
What inspired you to enter the field?
I worked in immigration law as an undergraduate. The clients inspired me to be a better person. They are brave, hardworking, and motivated, and my job enables me to travel worldwide every day without leaving my office.
When you were considering law school, what was Plan B?
Plan B? Now you tell me ...
What would surprise people about your job?
Everything. My office is fun and relaxed. We treat ourselves, each other, and our clients kindly. The area of law would also be surprising. Everyone has an opinion about immigration law, but very few know how it operates in reality – they would be shocked.
Favorite local hangouts?
Beer Grotto, Border-to-Border Trail (i.e., take the B2B Trail to the Beer Grotto ...)
Favorite website?
atlastobscura.com – how else would you know to see John the Baptist’s finger when you happen to be in Kansas City?
What was always written on your grade school report card?
Always the note about the incomprehensible penmanship. Cursive, it seems, is not for everyone.
What do you wish someone would invent?
Tele-transportation without question. End airplane bathrooms!
What has been your favorite year so far?
2019.
Words you’d put on a T-shirt?
“In my defense, I was left unsupervised”
Favorite stamp on your passport?
Russia. (I mean, cool right?)
When you look back into the past, what do you miss most?
My parents—every day.
If you could have witnessed any event in history, what would it be?
Seabiscuit’s victory over War Admiral.
What were you doing in your last selfie?
Standing under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis
What’s something you changed your mind about recently?
The wisdom of cookie exchanges.
What is one thing you would like to learn to do?
Keep my mouth shut.
What is the best advice you ever received?
We don’t have to be reactionary based on feelings all the time. Actions can bring about feelings. Like most of us wait until we feel happy to act happy, but more often than not, acting happy will make you feel happy.
What purchase of $50 or less has most positively affected your life?
My rescue dog, Charlie.
What are you looking forward to?
Seeing where my kids’ amazing lives take them.
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