Detroit Mercy Law 2L student Eden Shikwana is pictured with his children, Giselle and Sonny, outside the law school.
Photo courtesy of Eden Shikwana
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Eden Shikwana dreamed from an early age of a career in law—but Lady Justice proved to be a tad elusive until his mid 40s.
After graduating from Lawrence Tech University in Southfield with an undergrad degree in humanities Shikwana was ready to register for the LSAT. But after learning his first child would be born with health issues, he decided to take a “small break” and get a job that provided health insurance.
“That ‘small break’ ended up a 15-year career with an S&P 500 company that took me from Detroit to Indiana to Chicago, ultimately settling in Fort Worth, Texas for 12 years,” he says.
His entry-level job eventually took him to a director-level position where he oversaw a market covering Texas and Oklahoma with $50 million in annual sales.
“I absolutely adored the nearly 200 team members that made up my market and many of those people still inspire me today,” he says. “I just never felt fulfilled because I knew I was meant to be an attorney.
“That company invested heavily in my development as a leader, a public speaker, a problem solver, and a performer. My hope is all of those things translate into making me the best attorney I can be. While I regret getting a late start to my law career, I pray the skills I gained during my other career will contribute to our legal community in Detroit.”
Now a 2L student at Detroit Mercy Law School, Shikwana says the dream of becoming an attorney never left his heart.
Shikwana is proud to be a “Titan” student at Detroit Mercy Law.
“It feels like home—from my Catholic background to the fact our dean is so approachable and genuinely cares about the students,” he says. “I love our professors, and being a single parent I’ve always found the support I’ve needed in trying times.
“Coming back to school after 15 years—law school at that—was daunting. From my first visit I knew University of Detroit Mercy Law would provide the support system I’d need to be successful. From my first visit I knew it was home and even in the most overwhelming times I’ve never once regretted that decision.”
Shikwana’s career goal is to become a trial attorney.
“Arguing in the courtroom and in briefs nurtures my competitive spirit,” he says. “I know I have a passion for our Constitution, I also have a passion for helping others. I love being in federal court. I’m not sure what side I will represent, but I know my heart belongs in a courtroom arguing cases.”
His ultimate aim is to make a difference.
“I know it’s a cliché, but I truly believe there’s no other profession that has a bigger impact on the world today than law,” he says. “My goal is to be the type of attorney that is not only respected by clients, but one my brothers and sisters in the law will be proud of and be able to say that I’ve always handled myself with integrity.
“I’d also want opposing counsel to see my name on the docket and know they have to bring their A-game. I know I’ll have to earn that, especially in a city with so many talented attorneys.”
Between being a single dad, working full-time, and going to school full-time Shikwana has had to forego many student organizations in which he would have loved to participate.
“Rather, I try to mentor any of the more traditional students that ask for help by providing advice and guidance from the real world,” he says. “My hope is that when someone leans on me for guidance, that I give sound advice that would have helped me at that stage of my life without sounding condescending.”
Shikwana is grateful to everyone in the law community that has touched his life.
“This dream has been in my heart for over 30 years,” he says. “Now I’m actually fulfilling this dream everything is moving in slow motion. While I’m eager to graduate and practice law, the journey itself is so surreal to me.”
At a Federal Bar Association luncheon, Shikwana sat with Judges Sean Cox and Jonathan Grey.
“I know it may have been a quick luncheon to them, but their kindness and generosity with their advice was so meaningful,” he says.
He currently is clerking for a law firm in Farmington Hills, with many talented attorneys to learn from.
“I’d just encourage all the legal professionals out there to remember the kind word or interest you show to your clerks, your paralegals, or any law student are so meaningful to us,” he says. “I know we all have busy lives, but what more can you ask for than to know you touched someone’s life, especially in the legal field. Each encounter is forming the attorney I’m to become, and I’m grateful.”
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