Getting to know: Sara Aretakis German

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

Sara Aretakis German joined the law firm of Woll & Woll PC in 2008. A Detroit native and a graduate of Troy High School, she earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Communications, and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School where she was invited to participate in American Inns of the Court.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, German worked for the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services. She also served as a coordinator in Wayne County for children's programming that included after school literacy advancement and art enrichment for kids with special physical and emotional needs.

She met her husband, Micah German in law school and the couple married in 2011.

Residence:

I live in Birmingham with my husband and our dog, Olive.

What is your most treasured material possession?

A crystal tray I inherited from my Yiayia (grandmother). This tray was used for special celebrations to serve my Yiayia's Kourambiethes, delicious powdered sugar-covered Greek cookies.

What advice do you have for someone considering law school?

Before investing in a law school education, I would advise someone to consider whether he or she would enjoy the practice of law. A successful attorney possesses the following skills: research, analytical thinking, writing, interpersonal communication and public speaking. I recommend meeting with attorneys, who practice in the area of the law that most interests him or her, to discuss specific aspects of his or her career.

Favorite local hangouts:

I love spending time in downtown Detroit and enjoying many of the attractions that the city offers, such as sporting events at Comerica Park and Joe Louis Arena, concerts at the Fox Theater and The Fillmore, visiting Campus Martius and sampling the various restaurants (Small Plates, Pegasus Taverna, and The Whitney) and bars (Old Shillelagh and Town Pump).

Favorite websites:

I love planning vacations, and checking out various travel websites, including the Travel Channel and TripAdvisor.

Favorite app?

The Weather Channel.

Favorite CD:

A hip-hop/Pop music mix that my husband Micah made for me.

What is your happiest childhood memory?

Visiting my grandparents on Sanibel Island and spending my afternoons shelling with my Yiayia on the beach she could name every shell!

What would surprise people about your job?

As a family law attorney, you need to be familiar with other areas of the law such as bankruptcy, probate, and business which may impact your client's divorce settlement. It is not unusual to work closely with property and financial experts in divorce.

What do you wish someone would invent?

A teleporter so we could visit out-of-town family and friends in a flash.

What has been your favorite year so far and why?

Between 2011 and 2012 because I became settled; I married, my husband and I bought our first house together, and we got our dog, a Maltese named Olive.

What's your most typical mood?

Focused and determined

Why did you become a lawyer?

Because it is a very rewarding profession. It allows me the opportunity to use the law to advocate for someone who needs help during a difficult time.

What is your favorite law-related TV show, movie, and/or book?

The movie "The Client" (1994) based on the novel, of the same name, by John Grisham.

Who are your law role models real and/or fictional?

Family Law attorney Jessica Woll.

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?

Anthony Bourdain on the Travel Channel's show, "Anthony Bourdain No Reservations."

What's the most awe-inspiring place you've ever been?

The Parthenon in Athens.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?

Time travel.

What would you say to your 16-year-old self?

Keep a journal of your adventures to reflect on in later years.

What's your proudest moment as a lawyer?

My proudest moment as a lawyer was when I was able to be a sponsor and make a motion to admit my husband to the bar, at his swearing-in ceremony, when he became a lawyer.

Favorite joke:

My favorite joke is at the end of the movie "Coming to America," starring Eddie Murphy. "A man goes into a restaurant and sits down. He's served a bowl of soup and he says to the waiter: Waiter, come taste the soup. Waiter says: Is something wrong with the soup? He says: Taste the soup. The waiter replies: Is there something wrong with the soup? Is the soup too hot? The man says: Will you taste the soup?! Waiter: What's wrong? Is the soup too cold? Man: Will you just taste the soup?! Waiter: All right, I'll taste the soup-where's the spoon?? Aha. Aha! Aha. Aha ..."

What do you do to relax?

I go to the pool and swim laps to relax I swam competitively growing up and I still enjoy the workout.

If you were starting all over again and couldn't go into law, what career path would you choose?

A social worker.

What's your biggest regret?

That I did not study abroad for a semester in college or law school. It would have been an enriching experience when I had the time to live and learn in a country with a different culture.

What word do you overuse?

I overuse the phrase "It is what it is."

What's one thing you would like to learn to do?

I would like to learn how to bake (from scratch) my favorite desserts, especially Loukoumades (Greek donuts drizzled with honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon). I am a dessert-a-holic.

What is something most people don't know about you?

One of my favorite things to do is to go to the Detroit Auto Show with my dad.

If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be?

Kate Middleton, Kathy Griffin, and my deceased maternal grandfather, who I never met.

What's the best advice you ever received?

That you can't change yesterday, you don't know what the future will bring, so the most important day is today.

Favorite place to spend money:

On vacations to warm, beautiful beaches.

What is your motto?

Citius, Altius, Fortius (Latin for "faster, higher stronger"). These three words encourage people to do their best. The essential thing is not to have won but to have fought well.

Published: Thu, Feb 05, 2015

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