In the spotlight: Attorney takes to stage in Royal Oak production

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By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

One reason Jordan Lindsey returned to amateur dramatics after law school was to overcome any lingering stage fright in court.

“I think acting and litigating are very similar in many ways and I felt if I could get up on a stage and sing in front of an entire audience, then I could definitely stand in a courtroom and perform professionally with more ease,” says Lindsey, an attorney with Caplan & Associates in Bingham Farms.

“I think this logic has proven to be true so far and both experiences have helped me both professionally and personally.”

After graduating cum laude from Detroit Mercy Law last May and passing the bar exam in July, Lindsey auditioned for a musical—landing the role of “Elena,” in the Tony award winning musical, “If/Then,” with Stagecrafters Productions, a not-for-profit community theatre company housed in the Baldwin Theater in Royal Oak.

The show simultaneously follows two possible life paths of Elizabeth, a city planner, who moves back to New York City to restart her life and faces the intersection of choice and chance.

“The story is very entertaining, funny and relatable, as the lead character finds herself wondering what if she made different choices in life and where that would have landed her—I’m sure this is something every attorney wondered at some point when choosing to go to law school,” Lindsey says.

As a child, Lindsey was active with the Livonia Youtheatre and in school productions. Some of her favorite performances were in “Annie,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Our Town,” “Charlotte’s Web,” and “Treasure Island.”

Winner of the title “Miss Farmington 2006” while in high school, she moved away from acting to compete in pageants—getting the opportunity to sing and to win scholarship money for school— before aging out of the Miss America system in 2012.

“Nothing brings me as much joy in life as singing does,” she says. “It’s a release in many ways and the thing I love to do most.

“I was drawn to acting as a child because I loved singing so much and it was a way to get to do that. I’m glad to be able to return to the stage simply because performing as a singer brings me so much happiness.”
Balancing the rehearsal schedule with her legal career was a little bit more hectic than she had predicted.

“However, nothing could ever be as much of an art as balancing law school and life,” she says. “Although the rehearsal schedule has been intense, I’ve found rehearsals fly by because I’m enjoying what I’m doing and having fun with my fellow cast members.

“I want to share the message with other current law students there’s life after law school and it’s possible to juggle a legal career with hobbies you love. We’re in such a hectic profession that can oftentimes be stressful—having some kind of healthy release is crucial.”

Lindsey, who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University and an M.A. in Counseling and Guidance from Louisiana Tech University, worked for a private psychology practice while applying to PhD programs and gained exposure to court-appointed child custody interviews. Ultimately she decided law was a better fit.

“I truly feel I’ve found my calling as a family lawyer,” she says.

One of the first students to graduate with the family law concentration at Detroit Mercy Law, Lindsey clerked for Judge Kathryn A. George in Macomb County Circuit family court, an experience that confirmed her passion to practice family law. She clerked at a small family law practice for a summer before landing a job as a law clerk at Caplan before her 3L year.

She also served as vice president of the Women’s Law Caucus, secretary of OUTLaws, founder and chair of the Law Student Wellness Committee, was a Moot Court member, a book award recipient, dean’s list recipient, and completed the Juvenile Justice clinic, among other involvements and activities. 

In her role at Caplan, (dba DAWN – Divorce Attorneys for Women), she helps advocate for women in family law cases, especially victims of abuse and domestic violence.

“I enjoy my job more than I could have ever imagined because it provides me with an opportunity to help other women every single day, which is so rewarding,” she says. “And I love the DAWN team that I’m so blessed to work with.”

In addition to writing music and singing, Lindsey’s other hobbies include biking in downtown Detroit, especially the Riverwalk, Belle Isle and the Dequindre Cut; and playing fetch with her cat, Brutus – “I look forward to it every day when I get home from work,” she says.

The Farmington Hills native, who now makes her home in Lafayette Park in downtown Detroit, particularly appreciates the views of the city and river, and the Motor City residents.

“I appreciate how people are generally friendly and strangers in the city always seem more willing to engage in conversation,” she says. “I’ve always felt accepted here, and living here feels like a good fit.”

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