Marcel Miclea is an immigration lawyer practicing with George P. Mann and Associates in Farmington Hills.
Born in Romania, Miclea immigrated to the United States in 2003 through the Diversity Visa Lottery.
He holds a master of laws degree from Wayne State University, and a bachelor of laws and master of laws degrees from Romania.
He believes that immigration law suits his personality and gives him the chance to often learn something new about other cultures and countries.
Miclea enjoys the outdoors, cooking, music and hanging out with friends. He thinks that people’s kindness is worth more than their intelligence.
By Jo Mathis
Legal News
Favorite local hangouts: Kensington Metropark.
Favorite websites: I read the news on Flipboard, check out new places on Yelp and use Google for searches. I also shop on Amazon and watch movies on Netflix.
What is your most treasured material possession? My cell phone.
What was always written on your grade school report card? “Pretty, pretty, pretty good.” (I’m a fan of “Curb your enthusiasm.”)
How does being an immigrant yourself impact your work as an immigration attorney? Starting a new life in a foreign country has many challenges. Language barriers, different work culture, dealing with new rules and governmental institutions in order to make a living can be intimidating. Having gone through this myself gives me the awareness and understanding necessary to act as a counselor, not just as an attorney. A successful case is often a life transformation event that I am proud to be part of.
What is your happiest childhood memory? Playing soccer with a bunch of other kids.
When you were considering law school, what was Plan B? There was no plan B. I never thought I would fail the exam.
What would surprise people about your job? They probably wouldn’t imagine immigration law is one of the most complex legal practice areas.
What do you wish someone would invent? A robot to take the garbage out. It would save me from running after the garbage truck.
What has been your favorite year so far? 1997 when I got married and 2009 when I passed the New York bar exam.
Do you prefer email, text, or a phone call? Email.
When you look back into the past, what do you miss most? My dad. I miss him every day.
What is your most typical mood? Optimistic about the future, and laid-back.
Who is on your guest list for the ideal dinner party? Barack Obama and my closest friends.
What question do you most often ask yourself? I usually don’t ask myself the same question over and over again.
What word do you overuse? “I think” is the phrase I most overuse. I think…
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be? Someone with great influence in Congress who could convince our politicians that passing comprehensive immigration reform is the right and humane thing to do.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? In the plane, when I travel. When I am up in the air I always think of the agitation down on the earth: wars, greed, crazy traffic, and all the rush just to get ahead in life.
What’s something you changed your mind about recently? I might never get my basement finished.
What is your proudest moment as a lawyer? When I read nice things about other lawyers I can relate to. But I also like lawyers’ jokes. Some are really funny.
What is one thing you would like to learn to do? Be a dog whisperer so my dog finally listens to me.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I make the best waffles humanity could ever dream of.
What is the best advice you ever received? Sleep on it. My wife always tells me that when I am about to act on an impulse. (it rarely happens). I’ve changed my mind a few times and was glad I did.
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