Wayne State University Law School student Charlie Kadado previously worked in broadcasting, and is pictured at the assignment desk at Channel 7 in Detroit.
– Photo courtesy of Charlie Kadado
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Charlie Kadado caught the news bug at an early age.
Badly injured in a hit-and-run car accident in Farmington Hills at the age of seven, the experience exposed him to both the news industry and the legal system.
“Reporters from the TV stations and newspapers helped spread the word to help find the driver who hit me,” said Kadado, who is currently a 1L student at Wayne State University Law School.
“Although the driver was never found, I was grateful to the news outlets and law enforcement officials for trying to help advance the case.”
By the age of 14, Kadado was glued to a police scanner and fascinated with the news industry.
With a passion for writing and always asking questions, studying broadcast journalism at Wayne State University was a natural fit for his undergrad degree.
“I enjoyed seeing how our stories made a positive impact on people,” he said. “It was rewarding to see how our coverage could stimulate change at the highest governmental levels, and ultimately help our viewers become better informed citizens.”
An internship at the assignment desk at WDIV-TV Local 4 in Detroit taught him the ropes of local newsgathering. His next gig was as an assignment editor at Channel 7 WXYZ-TV in Detroit, where in 2018, he was promoted to real time manager, managing the assignment desk, coordinating daily editorial meetings, coverage plans and reporter assignments.
While at WXYZ-TV, he covered major news events including the June 2017 Bishop Airport terror attack, March 2018 Central Michigan University shooting and the 2018 Macomb County corruption scandal.
“My most memorable moment was covering Aretha Franklin’s funeral which took great teamwork and massive planning, and resulted in a fitting tribute for the Queen of Soul,” he said.
But Kadado always knew Lady Justice was calling his name; and he has remained a “Wayne Warrior” for his legal studies.
“I’m fortunate my career in journalism exposed me to so many different fields and gave me a firsthand look at how attorneys help their clients navigate a complicated legal system,” he said. “I felt compelled to learn more and do more, so pursuing a legal education was a logical next step.
“I also felt a career in law would perfectly combine my interests. I found that while journalists pose questions about pressing societal issues, lawyers have a chance to answer questions and seek justice on behalf of their clients. I view the legal profession as an extension of journalism, and an opportunity to continue questioning and demanding the truth in a new arena.”
His broadcasting background has provided a good basis for his new endeavors.
“My time in broadcast news was definitely deadline-driven and high pressure which I think applies to most careers in law, and I think my broadcasting background has advanced my legal writing skills,” he said. “Like broadcast news, the most effective legal writing is clear and succinct and able to tell a story.
“Broadcast news also taught me how to take complex issues and explain them in a clear and short format to the viewers — this skill applies almost directly to the law.”
Kadado is relishing his Wayne Law experience.
“I just feel lucky to be in a rigorous academic environment with so many talented students who take their education so seriously,” he said. “Detroit is a unique city to study law because of its unique challenges stretching from housing and public health to the future of the auto industry.
“Plus, we’re just a short drive from major law firms and courtrooms which provides a great opportunity to meet and learn from so many accomplished lawyers and judges.”
The son of Lebanese immigrants and youngest of four, Kadado — who was elected vice president of the Lebanese American Club of Michigan last October — often travels to Beirut to visit extended family.
“Beirut is so resilient and diverse and there is so much history and culture to experience at every corner,” he said. “In 2014, I started a digital media outlet called Lebanese Examiner, where I obtained grants to cover the trash crisis and mass protests in Beirut and the Syrian refugee crisis. I also wrote several features about inspiring people I met along the way.”
In 2016, the Macomb Township resident had the unique opportunity to travel across the country as a National Reporting Fellow for UNITY: Journalists for Diversity, and he wrote about how media outlets were working to make sure their coverage accurately portrayed communities of color.
“The experience showed me how a society can function more effectively when diverse voices are given a seat at the table,” he said. “I think the same applies to the law. In order to provide the most effective service, law firms and courtrooms should accurately portray the clients and communities they serve.”
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