By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Silvia Mansoor is a litigation attorney at Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC primarily defending physicians in malpractice actions. She also sits on the Oakland County Bar Association Board of Directors and is a former Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section. A graduate of Wayne State University and Michigan State University College of Law, she knew she wanted to become an attorney since the 12th grade and has not looked back since. A resident of Rochester Hills, Mansoor enjoys and appreciates the legal challenges, learning opportunities, and connections this profession presents.
What would surprise people about your job?
I’ve been doing medical malpractice defense work for quite a bit now, and one thing that I wouldn’t have guessed early on is how much medicine I’d learn! You can’t adequately defend somebody who was involved in a certain surgery or diagnosis if you can’t understand exactly what it was that they were doing. The learning is also one of the most fascinating parts of the job.
What’s your favorite law-related TV show or movie?
“A Few Good Men.”
Who are your law role models?
There are so many great people that I’ve learned from throughout the years. One of the first people I recall providing me with guidance after law school was Julie Fershtman. She’s an amazing human being that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, learning from, and admiring for perhaps more than a decade now.
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?
A doctor. I’d love to be able to know first-hand what their days in the hospitals and/or clinics look like so I can be even more educated in their defense.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school?
First, make sure you understand technology. The legal field is in the midst of great technological change. Second, get involved outside of the walls of law school early on. Reach out to the SBM Young Lawyers Section, your local bar organization, one of the affinity bars, or another legal organization. See if you can go to their events or help out on a project. The sooner you get involved in the legal community and people know who you are, the better.
What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer?
I don’t know that I have one specific proudest moment. When a client or somebody else within the profession is thankful for what I’ve done, worked on, or said to them, I appreciate those moments because it means that what I’m doing is making a difference in the lives of others.
What do you do to relax?
Other than going to bar association events to catch up with old friends and meet new ones, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and playing around with my nieces. I have four nieces altogether. They all have so much excitement for life, and it is contagious.
What other career path might you have chosen?
For the longest time, I wanted to be exactly like the late, great Steve Irwin.
Favorite local hangouts?
Give me a cozy coffee shop, and I’ll lose track of time.
Favorite app?
Probably Spotify. Audible and Duolingo get Honorable Mentions.
What is your happiest childhood memory?
Taco nights.
What is your most treasured material possession?
Having a car. After I bought my first car in high school, I never wanted to be without one again.
What has been your favorite year so far and why?
Probably 2019. That was the year when I went hang-gliding, jumped off the Black Rocks up in the Upper Peninsula, and rode 100 on my bicycle for charity. It was also the last year when we had regular motions calls and got to catch up with people in the courthouses.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?
Yosemite National Park. The view after coming out of the Wawona Tunnel is absolutely and literally breathtaking.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Flying.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do?
Learn how to drive stick shift.
Favorite place to spend money?
Coffee shops, restaurants, and travel.
Which living person do you most admire?
My grandmother.
Legal News
Silvia Mansoor is a litigation attorney at Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC primarily defending physicians in malpractice actions. She also sits on the Oakland County Bar Association Board of Directors and is a former Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section. A graduate of Wayne State University and Michigan State University College of Law, she knew she wanted to become an attorney since the 12th grade and has not looked back since. A resident of Rochester Hills, Mansoor enjoys and appreciates the legal challenges, learning opportunities, and connections this profession presents.
What would surprise people about your job?
I’ve been doing medical malpractice defense work for quite a bit now, and one thing that I wouldn’t have guessed early on is how much medicine I’d learn! You can’t adequately defend somebody who was involved in a certain surgery or diagnosis if you can’t understand exactly what it was that they were doing. The learning is also one of the most fascinating parts of the job.
What’s your favorite law-related TV show or movie?
“A Few Good Men.”
Who are your law role models?
There are so many great people that I’ve learned from throughout the years. One of the first people I recall providing me with guidance after law school was Julie Fershtman. She’s an amazing human being that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, learning from, and admiring for perhaps more than a decade now.
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?
A doctor. I’d love to be able to know first-hand what their days in the hospitals and/or clinics look like so I can be even more educated in their defense.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school?
First, make sure you understand technology. The legal field is in the midst of great technological change. Second, get involved outside of the walls of law school early on. Reach out to the SBM Young Lawyers Section, your local bar organization, one of the affinity bars, or another legal organization. See if you can go to their events or help out on a project. The sooner you get involved in the legal community and people know who you are, the better.
What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer?
I don’t know that I have one specific proudest moment. When a client or somebody else within the profession is thankful for what I’ve done, worked on, or said to them, I appreciate those moments because it means that what I’m doing is making a difference in the lives of others.
What do you do to relax?
Other than going to bar association events to catch up with old friends and meet new ones, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and playing around with my nieces. I have four nieces altogether. They all have so much excitement for life, and it is contagious.
What other career path might you have chosen?
For the longest time, I wanted to be exactly like the late, great Steve Irwin.
Favorite local hangouts?
Give me a cozy coffee shop, and I’ll lose track of time.
Favorite app?
Probably Spotify. Audible and Duolingo get Honorable Mentions.
What is your happiest childhood memory?
Taco nights.
What is your most treasured material possession?
Having a car. After I bought my first car in high school, I never wanted to be without one again.
What has been your favorite year so far and why?
Probably 2019. That was the year when I went hang-gliding, jumped off the Black Rocks up in the Upper Peninsula, and rode 100 on my bicycle for charity. It was also the last year when we had regular motions calls and got to catch up with people in the courthouses.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?
Yosemite National Park. The view after coming out of the Wawona Tunnel is absolutely and literally breathtaking.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Flying.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do?
Learn how to drive stick shift.
Favorite place to spend money?
Coffee shops, restaurants, and travel.
Which living person do you most admire?
My grandmother.
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