GETTING TO KNOW: Jill Bauer

A staff attorney at Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Jill Bauer grew up in Flint. She received a degree in psychology and English literature from the University of Michigan and a master’s in English literature from Indiana University.

Bauer and her husband lived in Japan for 18 months, traveled a bit, and then settled in Flint for teaching careers while raising three children. She and her spouse both earned law degrees and Bauer practiced family law, criminal law, appeals, bankruptcy, debt settlement and mediation, but the areas she was most passionate about was parent defense in child welfare cases.

After the Flint water crisis, the family moved to Utah for six years, returning to Michigan and settling in Ann Arbor in spring of 2022. During the pandemic, she accomplished a lifelong goal of writing a book, titled “The Nine Lives of John Aslin.” The nonfiction novel is based on a true story of a Michigan prisoner who has been incarcerated for 38 years for a non-violent crime. Bauer also has published a collection of short stories called “The Soul’s Echo.”

By Teresa Killeen
Washtenaw County Bar Association

Did you always know you wanted to be an attorney?
I always wanted to be a writer. But when I attended Law Day activities in high school, an attorney took a few students out to lunch. He asked me if I wanted to be a lawyer and I said no, but I would like to be a judge. He thought that was funny and told me you have to be a lawyer first. I was skeptical, thinking I could figure out a way around that barrier.

Where did you get your law degree?
I got my law degree from MSU, but I am a loyal Wolverine.

What jobs did you have before you became an attorney?
I was an English teacher in Japan, a Head Start teacher, and then I taught composition at the college level for 15 years at U-M-Flint.

What area of the law do you like the best and why?
I like defending parental rights in abuse and neglect cases because, in most cases, I am also defending the child’s right to continue life with their family of origin, culture, and community.

Tell us a little about your family.
I have been married to my husband, Jim, for 32 years. He works as the deputy court administrator at 15th District Court. We have three adult children, Zach, Haleigh, and Jackson, who all live in Michigan and who have all become engaged in the last 11 months. Maybe we will be able to add more names to the family list in the future!

What would your second career choice have been?
Best-selling author and successful Hollywood screenwriter and director.

Any words of wisdom to pass on to new lawyers?
Listen carefully to your clients and represent them as they want to be represented. Give them a voice in their cases.

What is your favorite movie or book?
My favorite movie is “Nine Days,” a 2022 movie that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. My favorite books are too many to name, but “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” “Mr. Splitfoot” and “We Begin at the End” come to mind.

Describe a perfect day off.
Sleep until I wake up (no alarm), read while drinking strong coffee, go for a walk in pleasant weather, get in some writing time, enjoy a meal or two with my husband or other family members, and stay up late.

What are some of your favorite places that you have visited?
I love to attend the Sundance Film Festival in Park City and go to New York City for a few plays and museums. I also think Kyoto, Japan is one of the prettiest places I’ve visited.

What is your favorite local hangout?
Michigan Theater.

When you have extra money, where do you like to spend it?
Traveling anywhere, but especially overseas.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read novels and watch independent and foreign movies. I also love to write and paint. I have recently taken up crocheting, so let me know if you need a scarf.

What’s the greatest gift we can give ourselves?
Make the voice in your head speak as kindly to yourself as you let it speak about others; extend yourself the same amount of grace that you are willing to extend to someone else. Indulge your passions – allow yourself fun and spontaneity.

Why do you choose to be a member of the WCBA?
I joined because I want to get to know my new legal community.
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Reprinted with permission from the WCBA newsletter Res Ipsa Loquitur.