By Teresa A. Killeen
Washtenaw County Bar Association
Eli Savit serves as the elected Prosecuting Attorney for Washtenaw County. His 4-year term began on January 1, 2021.
Savit was born and raised in Ann Arbor. His father is a retired physics professor and his mother a cello teacher. Savit graduated from Pioneer High School—where he captained the basketball team in 2001— and then went to Kalamazoo College where he played on the basketball squad for the Hornets. Following graduation, Savit taught 8th grade U.S. History in the New York City Public Schools. He then enrolled at the University of Michigan Law School, graduating in 2010.
Immediately after law school, Savit clerked for Judge Carlos Bea on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco, then for Judge David Tatel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He then worked in private practice in Washington, D.C., focusing primarily on appellate litigation. Among the highlights of his early legal career were clerkships with Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Following his Supreme Court clerkships, Savit returned home to Michigan, serving as senior legal counsel at the City of Detroit until his election as Washtenaw County Prosecutor in 2020.
Savit serves, or has served, on a number of youth-focused boards of directors, including the Detroit’s Hope Starts Here Early Childhood Initiative Stewardship Board, the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren, the Board of Directors at Ypsilanti’s FLY Children’s Art Center. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Michigan Democratic Party, and on the Executive Board of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party. He is a proud union member, as part of the Lecturers’ Employee Organization (American Federation of Teachers-Michigan Local 6244).
Did you always know you wanted to be an attorney?
No! As a child, my initial planned career path was to be an NBA basketball player—but my lack of athletic ability threw a wrench in those plans. When I was in college, I initially wanted to be a journalist, but I was encouraged to consider law school by several professors and ultimately went in that direction.
What jobs did you have before you became an attorney?
I’ve had a number of jobs, including public school teacher, tree-trimmer, construction/demolition, and retail store work.
What area of the law do you like the best and why?
I’ve been fortunate enough to practice in a number of areas—including criminal, civil rights, environmental, and government-initiated affirmative litigation. I enjoy all of these areas of the law. At bottom, though, my favorite area of practice remains appellate litigation (whether criminal or civil). I love writing briefs and constructing arguments, and love sinking my teeth into complex legal issues. One of the great things about appellate law, too, is that you have a constant opportunity to learn about new areas of the law—which is something I really enjoy.
What would your second career choice have been?
I loved teaching, and continue to teach at the University of Michigan Law School. If I hadn’t gone to law school, I suspect I would have stayed in education.
Any words of wisdom to pass on to new lawyers?
Be diligent and detail-oriented. Knowing the ins and outs of your case and the relevant law is 90 percent of good lawyering. And be kind to people. More than anything, people remember how you treat them, and your reputation for kindness (or the lack thereof) will endure.
What is your favorite movie or book?
I can’t pick just one! Some favorite fiction, though, includes “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara, “The Fates and the Furies” by Lauren Groff, and “American Pastoral” by Philip Roth. In terms of non-fiction, “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander is a book that dramatically impacted how I view the legal system. I also loved Candice Millard’s “The Destiny of the Republic,” a book about President James Garfield and his assassination.
There’s a local connection: President Garfield was assassinated by someone who attended Ann Arbor High (now Pioneer).
What are some favorite places you have visited?
I love traveling abroad. Istanbul and Madrid are two of my favorite cities. I’ve also loved traveling to the Atlas Mountains (Morocco); Ani (ancient Armenian capital, now in eastern Turkey); Papua (Indonesia); and a month-long trip through Mongolia, including a memorable visit to a reindeer-herding community in the far north.
What are your favorite local hangouts?
On a warm sunny day, there’s nowhere quite like Dominick’s. I love sports, and I’ll often head to Regent’s Field or Fraser’s Pub to watch a game. And for a date night or special occasion, I absolutely adore Bellflower in Ypsi.
What are you listening to lately (music, podcast, audio book)?
I’m a podcast guy, and—for lawyers in particular—I can’t recommend Strict Scrutiny enough. It’s an accessible, incisive, and frequently funny podcast about the Supreme Court (and sometimes Taylor Swift).
What career advice would you give your younger self?
Ask for advice and guidance. Seize opportunities—even unexpected ones—that are open to you. Build real relationships with colleagues. And, 2005 Eli? Buy some Apple stock.
(Reprinted from the newsletter Res Ipsa Loquitur with permission from the WCBA.)
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