Jasmine Farhat, a pre-law student at Wayne State University, sat at one of several round tables gathered on the second floor of the university’s student center, speaking with lawyers and judges. She added to the murmur of conversation that filled the room as participating students and professionals discussed their experiences in law school, how to decide on a particular niche, what the application process was like, and so much more.
Being able to speak with legal professionals about their own experiences, Farhat said, has helped shape her journey toward becoming an attorney.
“I’ve loved hearing from them, having the experiences they have had, years of experiences, I find comfort in knowing that they didn’t know right away from the start what they were doing. It makes me comfortable knowing that I don’t have to have everything planned right now,” she said.
The event was one of several put on by the State Bar of Michigan’s Face of Justice program.
Launched 10 years ago, the program is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of lawyers by ensuring Michigan students from all walks have access to the information they need to consider joining the legal profession. The strategy? Meet students where they are.
Modeled after programming developed by the National Association of Women Judges, Face of Justice is just part of the State Bar of Michigan’s ongoing work to build and support pathways for students to enter the legal profession. Working with high schools, community colleges, universities, and law schools, Face of Justice events operate along the same lines as “speed networking” events, with students meeting with a variety of legal professionals who volunteer to be mentors. The event is designed so students can ask mentors their questions in a low-pressure environment.
After the conclusion of the event, students have the chance to join a LinkedIn group to continue conversing with mentors and other students who have participated.
“Meeting lawyers and judges while still in school can be a turning point for students — a chance to make early connections and see themselves in legal careers they may never have considered,” said State Bar of Michigan President Lisa J. Hamameh, who has volunteered as a Face of Justice mentor. “It’s also an opportunity for attorneys to give back and make lasting connections with the next generation of attorneys.”
Gregory Conyers, who heads the Face of Justice program for the State Bar of Michigan, said the program demystifies the path to becoming a lawyer and helps students envision themselves in the profession.
“Face of Justice has been a great chance for us to reach the students and give them the opportunity to talk to legal professionals, and we’ve had everything from judges and lawyers to state police officers and paralegals involved, so we’re really just trying to introduce them to the whole spectrum, if you will, of opportunities in the legal profession,” Conyers said.
The program started with serving strictly high school students. In 2022, it expanded to include undergraduates, graduate students, and law students. Conyers credits this growth to partnerships with schools and organizations throughout the state including Michigan State University College of Law, Wayne State University Law School, Cooley Law School, the Michigan Center for Civic Education, the Michigan Supreme Court, and the 36th District Court.
Farhat first learned about Face of Justice two years ago from her advisor and has attended a number of Face of Justice events since.
“The mentors are so willing to answer any questions that you have. They’re asking you what you want to know and providing those answers, so an event like Face of Justice is truly just a time for students to relieve any worries that they have and ask any questions that they have,” she said.
Recent Face of Justice events have expanded further into northern Michigan, serving various schools, including Northern Michigan University and Olivet University, at events in Marquette, Eaton, and Leelanau counties.
To date, Face of Justice has connected 1181 students with 761 mentors.
Michael Blau, a private practice attorney in Farmington, has been a mentor with Face of Justice for several years and said the “innovative and unique program” meets an unmet need in the legal profession.
“Over the years, I have worked as a clinical supervisor in law school externship programs, among many other things, and noticed that many students were like ‘deer in the headlights’ when it came to the practice of law,” he said. “Face of Justice allays their fears, answers any questions they have about lawyering, (and) the skills — including soft skills — that are beneficial to develop, exposes them to a wide variety of attorneys, dispels misconceptions and provides continued follow-up networking through a LinkedIn group.”
It also provides perspective that many students across the state wouldn’t get, absent a program like Face of Justice.
“I was not exposed to the field of law; it was something that you saw on TV or read about. I wanted to be a lawyer, probably since elementary school, but I had no idea what that entailed. I didn’t have an opportunity to meet a lawyer, and I didn’t have an opportu
nity to job shadow with a lawyer,” said Zenell B. Brown, a longtime Face of Justice mentor and Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administrative Office, Fairness and Accountability Administrator.
“This (program) gives people from high school a real idea of what it looks like, so it’s not something you have to imagine, but you really get to talk to a human being who’s doing it, and to see a person from a background such as your own, is very powerful and affirming.”
Farhat agrees. “As a pre-law student, your stress levels are through the roof, so any perspectives or information you can get on it is so genuinely helpful,” she said.
As Face of Justice grows, Conyers expects to host more events, and while Face of Justice has always had a sizable pool of attorneys, judges, paralegals, and other law professionals willing to mentor students, the program always welcomes new mentors — something both Blau and Brown recommend.
“The program is well run, effective, and extremely satisfying. Further, it does not involve a big-time commitment and fills an important need in the future development of the profession," Blau said. Brown noted that mentors can volunteer for one or multiple events and can attend events close to home to make volunteering easier.
“To say to somebody, ‘Welcome, congratulations on being admitted to the Bar,’ has a whole different meaning when you know what challenges they had to overcome or what that pathway looked like for them,” she said. “Face of Justice allows us to share the stories with each other, but also the future generations of lawyers.”