By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Growing up, Jailah Emerson didn’t know any lawyers, real or fictional, who looked like her—Black, born, raised, and educated in the Motor City.
With the support of mentors, she found her path into the legal world—and now gives back by volunteering with the nonprofit Umoja Debate League, which teaches Detroit youth critical thinking, confidence, conflict resolution, increased literacy, and self-expression.
“Representation is so important,” Emerson says. “I’m thrilled to help facilitate this pipeline initiative. Critical debate skills are instrumental in developing the advocacy skills I use daily as a litigation attorney at Varnum. We’re not just teaching students how to argue effectively—we’re showing them that there’s a place for them in the legal profession and providing long-term mentorship and support.
“I’m grateful to be that mentor for those who, like me, dream of becoming lawyers one day.”
And Emerson has achieved her own legal goals beyond her wildest dreams.
The 2020 cum laude graduate from Detroit Mercy Law School is now an associate on the Litigation and Trial Practice Team at Varnum, where she previously was a summer associate; and is based in the Birmingham office.
“I enjoy working in a collaborative environment with some of the most educated professionals in the field, and appreciate the opportunity to develop professional skills early in my career,” she says. “I’ve already participated in several trials as first and second chair through verdict and led many hearings, depositions, mediations, and other related proceedings. I value the chance to be involved in meaningful work from the very beginning of my practice.”
With a practice focusing on complex commercial, family law, tax, and insolvency litigation, she enjoys the opportunity to work on unique and complex cases.
“I also appreciate working in an environment where I’m entrusted with substantive cases and legal issues—and the variety of challenges across commercial, family law, tax, and insolvency matters provides continuous learning opportunities and keeps my work intellectually stimulating,” she says. “It also uniquely positions me to address cross-practice legal issues for clients.”
Emerson has already enjoyed several significant wins in her four years at Varnum. She served on the litigation team in three cases where verdicts were returned in the clients’ favor. In one jury verdict, the client received a six-figure judgment. In another, the team won a highly public, eleventh-hour victory in the Michigan Supreme Court on a matter affecting the right of Detroit residents to vote on a proposed revision of the city charter. In a recent case, Emerson settled a family law case after only a half-day trial, where the team secured an unequal division of the marital estate due to marital misconduct by the opposing party.
An alumna of Northwestern High School in Detroit, Emerson began her walk with Lady Justice at Michigan State University, earning her undergraduate degree in criminal justice/pre-law and comparative law—during which she studied common law and civil law for eight weeks in Barbados, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. The program explored colonial, post-colonial, and global legal studies, and participants studied law from a variety of perspectives, including social sciences, the humanities, and professional legal training. She also spent summer months at the U.S. Dept. of Justice in Detroit, and Office of the General Counsel in East Lansing.
During her studies at Detroit Mercy Law, she was managing editor of Law Review, and on the Law Review Symposium committee; vice president of the Black Law Students Association; Student Bar Association, 3L Class Representative; Student Bar Association 2L Class President; a senior member of the Moot Court Board of Advocates; vice president of the Women’s Law Caucus; a Presidential Ambassador; a participant in the mentorship program; a participant in the Moot Court Keenan Competition; a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; and on the Dean’s List, as well as receiving a Dean’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
She worked at the school’s Expungement Clinic, and Warming Center Clinic; interned at the U.S. Dept. of Justice; and in the general counsel office of DTE; and was an extern for Judge A. Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She also was a member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants; and a liaison for the Criminal Justice Section.
Emerson has stayed involved with her alma mater, including as a three-year term Barrister on the Inn of Court, where she has enjoyed staying engaged with law students and directly mentoring them.
Even as a busy attorney, Emerson continues her involvement in several organizations, including as secretary for the Wolverine Bar Association and as a board member on the Foundation—allowing her to be involved with an organization that gave so much to her as a law student. During her student days, she participated in the WBA Summer Clerkship Program (SCP) after her 1L year; received the Damon J. Keith Scholarship from the WBA at its Annual Barristers Ball; and participated in its minority bar passage program after graduation.
“All of these services were freely provided to law students like me who needed guidance navigating the legal profession,” she says. “I’m incredibly grateful for the WBA, and it’s an honor to pay it forward through my involvement with the organization.”
After serving on the WLAM Wayne Region board for three years, currently as vice president, Emerson will be sworn in as president this May.
“Mentoring and uplifting the next generation of female attorneys is my passion, and it brings me joy,” she says. “WLAM provides an invaluable space for women in the legal profession to connect, learn, and grow. It’s truly a sisterhood, offering camaraderie with other women lawyers. Through our mentorship, scholarship, and philanthropic community efforts, we serve those who follow us and honor those who paved the way.”
A member of Detroit Young Professionals, the Federal Bar Association, and the State Bar of Michigan, she was recently elected to a two-year term as a board member of the Detroit Bar Association and has been named to The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.
“It was truly an honor to be named alongside some of the best attorneys, not just in Michigan but nationally, who inspire me in many ways,” she says. “I greatly appreciate the recognition, and it continues to motivate me as I progress in my career.”
She volunteered as a program coordinator at Alternatives for Girls in Detroit and currently is working pro bono with the Detroit Justice Center, with its mission of defensive and offensive fights for racial justice and economic equity.
“Pro bono work is extremely important—efficient legal representation should not be limited to those who can afford counsel,” she says. “I find the most gratitude in helping those who otherwise couldn’t navigate the legal process, guiding them to find resolutions.”
In her leisure time, Emerson enjoys yoga, live music, and international travel—some of her favorite places include Accra, Ghana, and Rio de Janeiro—and time with friends and family.
She even inspired her mother—a single parent who raised Emerson and her brother, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy—to become a UDM “Titan” and earn an MBA from Detroit Mercy’s College of Business Administration.
“I’m inspired by her perseverance and extremely proud,” Emerson says.
Legal News
Growing up, Jailah Emerson didn’t know any lawyers, real or fictional, who looked like her—Black, born, raised, and educated in the Motor City.
With the support of mentors, she found her path into the legal world—and now gives back by volunteering with the nonprofit Umoja Debate League, which teaches Detroit youth critical thinking, confidence, conflict resolution, increased literacy, and self-expression.
“Representation is so important,” Emerson says. “I’m thrilled to help facilitate this pipeline initiative. Critical debate skills are instrumental in developing the advocacy skills I use daily as a litigation attorney at Varnum. We’re not just teaching students how to argue effectively—we’re showing them that there’s a place for them in the legal profession and providing long-term mentorship and support.
“I’m grateful to be that mentor for those who, like me, dream of becoming lawyers one day.”
And Emerson has achieved her own legal goals beyond her wildest dreams.
The 2020 cum laude graduate from Detroit Mercy Law School is now an associate on the Litigation and Trial Practice Team at Varnum, where she previously was a summer associate; and is based in the Birmingham office.
“I enjoy working in a collaborative environment with some of the most educated professionals in the field, and appreciate the opportunity to develop professional skills early in my career,” she says. “I’ve already participated in several trials as first and second chair through verdict and led many hearings, depositions, mediations, and other related proceedings. I value the chance to be involved in meaningful work from the very beginning of my practice.”
With a practice focusing on complex commercial, family law, tax, and insolvency litigation, she enjoys the opportunity to work on unique and complex cases.
“I also appreciate working in an environment where I’m entrusted with substantive cases and legal issues—and the variety of challenges across commercial, family law, tax, and insolvency matters provides continuous learning opportunities and keeps my work intellectually stimulating,” she says. “It also uniquely positions me to address cross-practice legal issues for clients.”
Emerson has already enjoyed several significant wins in her four years at Varnum. She served on the litigation team in three cases where verdicts were returned in the clients’ favor. In one jury verdict, the client received a six-figure judgment. In another, the team won a highly public, eleventh-hour victory in the Michigan Supreme Court on a matter affecting the right of Detroit residents to vote on a proposed revision of the city charter. In a recent case, Emerson settled a family law case after only a half-day trial, where the team secured an unequal division of the marital estate due to marital misconduct by the opposing party.
An alumna of Northwestern High School in Detroit, Emerson began her walk with Lady Justice at Michigan State University, earning her undergraduate degree in criminal justice/pre-law and comparative law—during which she studied common law and civil law for eight weeks in Barbados, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. The program explored colonial, post-colonial, and global legal studies, and participants studied law from a variety of perspectives, including social sciences, the humanities, and professional legal training. She also spent summer months at the U.S. Dept. of Justice in Detroit, and Office of the General Counsel in East Lansing.
During her studies at Detroit Mercy Law, she was managing editor of Law Review, and on the Law Review Symposium committee; vice president of the Black Law Students Association; Student Bar Association, 3L Class Representative; Student Bar Association 2L Class President; a senior member of the Moot Court Board of Advocates; vice president of the Women’s Law Caucus; a Presidential Ambassador; a participant in the mentorship program; a participant in the Moot Court Keenan Competition; a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; and on the Dean’s List, as well as receiving a Dean’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
She worked at the school’s Expungement Clinic, and Warming Center Clinic; interned at the U.S. Dept. of Justice; and in the general counsel office of DTE; and was an extern for Judge A. Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She also was a member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants; and a liaison for the Criminal Justice Section.
Emerson has stayed involved with her alma mater, including as a three-year term Barrister on the Inn of Court, where she has enjoyed staying engaged with law students and directly mentoring them.
Even as a busy attorney, Emerson continues her involvement in several organizations, including as secretary for the Wolverine Bar Association and as a board member on the Foundation—allowing her to be involved with an organization that gave so much to her as a law student. During her student days, she participated in the WBA Summer Clerkship Program (SCP) after her 1L year; received the Damon J. Keith Scholarship from the WBA at its Annual Barristers Ball; and participated in its minority bar passage program after graduation.
“All of these services were freely provided to law students like me who needed guidance navigating the legal profession,” she says. “I’m incredibly grateful for the WBA, and it’s an honor to pay it forward through my involvement with the organization.”
After serving on the WLAM Wayne Region board for three years, currently as vice president, Emerson will be sworn in as president this May.
“Mentoring and uplifting the next generation of female attorneys is my passion, and it brings me joy,” she says. “WLAM provides an invaluable space for women in the legal profession to connect, learn, and grow. It’s truly a sisterhood, offering camaraderie with other women lawyers. Through our mentorship, scholarship, and philanthropic community efforts, we serve those who follow us and honor those who paved the way.”
A member of Detroit Young Professionals, the Federal Bar Association, and the State Bar of Michigan, she was recently elected to a two-year term as a board member of the Detroit Bar Association and has been named to The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.
“It was truly an honor to be named alongside some of the best attorneys, not just in Michigan but nationally, who inspire me in many ways,” she says. “I greatly appreciate the recognition, and it continues to motivate me as I progress in my career.”
She volunteered as a program coordinator at Alternatives for Girls in Detroit and currently is working pro bono with the Detroit Justice Center, with its mission of defensive and offensive fights for racial justice and economic equity.
“Pro bono work is extremely important—efficient legal representation should not be limited to those who can afford counsel,” she says. “I find the most gratitude in helping those who otherwise couldn’t navigate the legal process, guiding them to find resolutions.”
In her leisure time, Emerson enjoys yoga, live music, and international travel—some of her favorite places include Accra, Ghana, and Rio de Janeiro—and time with friends and family.
She even inspired her mother—a single parent who raised Emerson and her brother, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy—to become a UDM “Titan” and earn an MBA from Detroit Mercy’s College of Business Administration.
“I’m inspired by her perseverance and extremely proud,” Emerson says.
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