An Ear for the Law-- Attorney caters to hearing impaired clients

By Paul Janczewski Legal News Whether she's on the court, or in one, Kathryn M. Cushman has carved out a successful career. In high school and college, Cushman established records with her play in women's basketball. And as one of the few attorneys in Michigan able to communicate in American Sign Language with deaf clients, Cushman offers a level of comfort and service to the hearing-impaired community. "Everyone needs a lawyer they can trust and communicate with in their own language," Cushman said. "And I offer the environment where clients can come in and we can communicate one on one, and build trust." Cushman, 34, works for the Troy firm of Hickey, Cianciolo, Fishman and Finn. But playing basketball as a youth may have been the one factor that brought her to where she is today. Her mother, Geraldine, taught at a Catholic school in Flushing, retiring recently after 35 years there, Cushman started playing basketball there in the fifth grade. She played several other sports, but dropped those in high school to concentrate on basketball. "That was my game of choice," she said. Cushman attended Powers Catholic High School in Flint and she played summer basketball between eighth grade and her freshman year with those girls on the varsity team. Cushman started varsity ball for the next three years, but the teams lost in the quarter-finals twice and also lost the state championship her senior year. During her high school career, Cushman earned many honors, including first team All-State from 1992-94, Honorable Mention All-American in 1994 by USA Today, and was Powers all-time leading scorer with 1,413 points, although that record has been broken. Cushman was also a finalist in the state's Miss Basketball voting in 1994. Cushman was recruited by colleges to play basketball, but chose Madonna University in Livonia, and a full scholarship, so her parents could watch her play and because she could play all four years. It paid off - Cushman led the Madonna Crusaders to its first 20 win season, still holds the all-time school career scoring record with 1,752 points and all-time career free throw percentage of 90.5%, and was the 1995 NAIA Division II Free Throw champion with 90.5%. Attending Madonna gave her something else, too. The school had a large population of deaf students, and it opened her eyes to that culture. Years earlier, Cushman had been exposed to deaf kids at the Y when many from the nearby Michigan School for the Deaf attended programs. Madonna had several unique programs in sign language, so Cushman received two degrees from Madonna - a bachelor of arts in sign language, and a bachelor of science in criminal justice. After graduating from Madonna in 1999, Cushman was accepted to the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. In fact, she recalls writing her personal statement for application there on a bus en route to a varsity basketball game with Madonna. Even though women's professional basketball was the choice of some elite college players, Cushman decided law school "would be a better investment." But she continued to play basketball while going through law school, practicing with the Madonna team and playing in women's leagues. "It was a good outlet for me, good exercise and a stress reliever," Cushman said. "I needed that element because it was my life for so long." During law school, Cushman clerked at several firms, including Hickey, Cianciolo, Fishman and Finn. She was hired there after graduating and promoted her idea to cater to deaf clients. "This is a great firm," Cushman said. "And since day one, they have been very supportive and flexible in allowing me to create this niche with deaf clients." She handles family law, toxic exposure and occupational disease cases and other matters for the firm. In 2004, she married Damon Tillman, whom she met through mutual friends. They have two children, Tess, 4, and Nora, 15 months. The only breaks Cushman has taken from playing organized basketball have occurred when she was pregnant. She and several of her college friends have played together for years, and the team, now known as The Skins, plays in a Sunday night women's league at Joe Dumars Field House. "I feel like we're still back in the old days," Cushman said "I don't feel like I'm old. It's what I do. It's an element of my life I've always had. It keeps me sane. I miss it when I'm not playing." Cushman said there are similarities between playing basketball and practicing law. Each requires a work ethic, years of practice, and the self-discipline for preparation. "I yearn for the competition, and I enjoy helping people with what I do," Cushman said. She is a self-proclaimed "sports nut," and has two seats and a section sign from the old Detroit Tigers stadium in her office. And she and her family rarely miss an opening day. "It's like Christmas in our family," she said. Cushman looks forward to playing basketball with her own daughters one day. And there's no question they'll be excellent free throw shooters, just like Mom. "The experiences I've had and the people that I've met and the friends that I've made and the coaches that I've had were all great experiences," Cushman said. "I feel like I've been blessed in a lot of ways," she said. "My family, my job, and what I've been able to do." Published: Thu, Oct 13, 2011

––––––––––––––––––––
 Subscribe to the Legal News!
 http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available