An associate attorney in Varnum’s Ann Arbor office, Jordan Valentine graduated from MSU Law in 2020.
Photo courtesy of Jordan Valentine
Photo courtesy of Jordan Valentine
By Julie Freer
Legal News
Jordan Valentine remembers what it was like to experience the loss of loved one when she was a teen.
"I recall what it was like losing my grandfather, who was like a father to me, and witnessing his death when I was a freshman in high school," said Valentine, an associate attorney in Varnum's Ann Arbor office. "I felt like I was supposed to simply move on."
When she learned of the nonprofit organization, Ele's Place, which supports children and young adults grieving the loss of someone close to them, she knew she wanted to support the cause.
Last September, Valentine joined Ele's Place Ann Arbor Community Board, with the goal of spreading the word about the organization and garnering support for its work.
"Children, teens, and young adults are often expected to act like adults in their grieving process and may feel alone, and it is important to provide tools for these groups to cope and heal from loss," said Valentine.
The inspiration to go into law
Valentine grew up in Livonia and attended Churchill High School, where she met her husband, Cameron Valentine. She knew since middle school that she wanted to be a lawyer.
"I was drawn to my history courses and, in particular, any classes discussing the Supreme Court," recalls Valentine, a first-generation lawyer. She soon announced to her parents, Bill Brezinsky, a pilot, and Cynthia Brezinsky, a flight attendant, her intention to become a lawyer.
Along the way, she found inspiration from her grandmother, Constance Carr, who continues to serve as a role model to Valentine.
"She is a strong, independent woman who has managed to change and brighten every life she touches," said Valentine, noting that at 92, Carr still teaches water aerobics at her local YMCA, is an active member in her sorority, and participates in a bowling league.
"As a Black woman and child of the Great Depression, she has known struggle, but has forged her own path and taught me to do the same," said Valentine.
Valentine went to Eastern Michigan University for her undergrad studies, where she majored in political science and philosophy, studying under Dr. Barry Pyle, who fostered her interest in the EMU Mock Trial and Moot Court programs.
She then went on to Michigan State University College of Law’s Trial Practice Institute, excelling at Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions.
"In 2020, my team competed in the ABA Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition Regionals and advanced to Nationals," said Valentine. "While our team never got to orally compete at Nationals due to COVID-19, we achieved top oralist awards at Regionals and received the Best Brief at Nationals."
She also won her 1L all-class oral advocacy competition, a goal she set for herself when starting law school.
"I knew it would be an uphill battle because each professor for the class could only select one student to compete. It was a tough competition, but I got to argue in front of Judge David McKeague, Judge Denise Page Hood, and Justice Elizabeth Clement and managed to win! It is still one of my favorite memories from MSU Law, including nights spent with friends practicing," said Valentine.
After two summers working as a summer associate in Varnum's Novi office, Valentine was hired as an associate attorney January 2021 in Varnum's Ann Arbor office. She focuses on shareholder disputes, breach of contract cases, real estate zoning disputes, and regulatory compliance. She represents clients throughout the litigation process, including hearings, depositions, trials, and appellate proceedings.
"I enjoy seeing those moments where I know we have earned our clients’ confidence and trust," said Valentine. "I think it is one thing to know that our clients’ chose Varnum because they believe in our work and our skill, but it never ceases to amaze me when I see a client finally see our words in action, either on paper or in the courtroom. It is the most rewarding feeling when a client acknowledges that you have been their top advocate, communicating their case effectively and clearly.”
An opportunity to give back
During her time as a summer associate, Valentine was inspired by Sarah Wixson, a corporate and litigation partner at Varnum and co-chair of the Health Care Practice Team. Wixson connected Valentine with Ann Hollenback, an attorney at Jones Day who serves on the community board of Ele's Place.
Through Hollenback, Valentine learned more about Ele's Place, which was founded in 1991 in honor of Helen Louise Snow Stover, known as Ele, who died at 11 months old. Ele's parents, Betsy and Woody Stover, were moved to start the organization, with the help of mental health professionals, as they witnessed their three children grieving the loss of their sister.
"Ele’s Place provides weekly peer-to-peer bereavement support groups – grouped by age/development – to help children, teens, and young adults learn to cope and begin to heal after the death of someone close to them," said Valentine.
"Ele’s Place provides similar school-based grief support programs, often addressing loss that schools experience more broadly across the student population by the death of a fellow student or teacher."
Ele's Place has three branch locations in Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, and has served more than 43,000 individuals over its 34-year history.
"I hope to engage my networks at EMU, MSU Law, and Churchill, and inform them of the great work Ele's Place is doing, and hopefully garner some new supporters of Ele's Place," said Valentine.
In her free time, Valentine enjoys practicing yoga. She and her husband also enjoy trying the many different restaurants in Ann Arbor and Detroit.
"Since moving to Ann Arbor in early 2021, we have found no shortage of new places to try and we love that there is so much to do in the city," said Valentine.
Legal News
Jordan Valentine remembers what it was like to experience the loss of loved one when she was a teen.
"I recall what it was like losing my grandfather, who was like a father to me, and witnessing his death when I was a freshman in high school," said Valentine, an associate attorney in Varnum's Ann Arbor office. "I felt like I was supposed to simply move on."
When she learned of the nonprofit organization, Ele's Place, which supports children and young adults grieving the loss of someone close to them, she knew she wanted to support the cause.
Last September, Valentine joined Ele's Place Ann Arbor Community Board, with the goal of spreading the word about the organization and garnering support for its work.
"Children, teens, and young adults are often expected to act like adults in their grieving process and may feel alone, and it is important to provide tools for these groups to cope and heal from loss," said Valentine.
The inspiration to go into law
Valentine grew up in Livonia and attended Churchill High School, where she met her husband, Cameron Valentine. She knew since middle school that she wanted to be a lawyer.
"I was drawn to my history courses and, in particular, any classes discussing the Supreme Court," recalls Valentine, a first-generation lawyer. She soon announced to her parents, Bill Brezinsky, a pilot, and Cynthia Brezinsky, a flight attendant, her intention to become a lawyer.
Along the way, she found inspiration from her grandmother, Constance Carr, who continues to serve as a role model to Valentine.
"She is a strong, independent woman who has managed to change and brighten every life she touches," said Valentine, noting that at 92, Carr still teaches water aerobics at her local YMCA, is an active member in her sorority, and participates in a bowling league.
"As a Black woman and child of the Great Depression, she has known struggle, but has forged her own path and taught me to do the same," said Valentine.
Valentine went to Eastern Michigan University for her undergrad studies, where she majored in political science and philosophy, studying under Dr. Barry Pyle, who fostered her interest in the EMU Mock Trial and Moot Court programs.
She then went on to Michigan State University College of Law’s Trial Practice Institute, excelling at Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions.
"In 2020, my team competed in the ABA Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition Regionals and advanced to Nationals," said Valentine. "While our team never got to orally compete at Nationals due to COVID-19, we achieved top oralist awards at Regionals and received the Best Brief at Nationals."
She also won her 1L all-class oral advocacy competition, a goal she set for herself when starting law school.
"I knew it would be an uphill battle because each professor for the class could only select one student to compete. It was a tough competition, but I got to argue in front of Judge David McKeague, Judge Denise Page Hood, and Justice Elizabeth Clement and managed to win! It is still one of my favorite memories from MSU Law, including nights spent with friends practicing," said Valentine.
After two summers working as a summer associate in Varnum's Novi office, Valentine was hired as an associate attorney January 2021 in Varnum's Ann Arbor office. She focuses on shareholder disputes, breach of contract cases, real estate zoning disputes, and regulatory compliance. She represents clients throughout the litigation process, including hearings, depositions, trials, and appellate proceedings.
"I enjoy seeing those moments where I know we have earned our clients’ confidence and trust," said Valentine. "I think it is one thing to know that our clients’ chose Varnum because they believe in our work and our skill, but it never ceases to amaze me when I see a client finally see our words in action, either on paper or in the courtroom. It is the most rewarding feeling when a client acknowledges that you have been their top advocate, communicating their case effectively and clearly.”
An opportunity to give back
During her time as a summer associate, Valentine was inspired by Sarah Wixson, a corporate and litigation partner at Varnum and co-chair of the Health Care Practice Team. Wixson connected Valentine with Ann Hollenback, an attorney at Jones Day who serves on the community board of Ele's Place.
Through Hollenback, Valentine learned more about Ele's Place, which was founded in 1991 in honor of Helen Louise Snow Stover, known as Ele, who died at 11 months old. Ele's parents, Betsy and Woody Stover, were moved to start the organization, with the help of mental health professionals, as they witnessed their three children grieving the loss of their sister.
"Ele’s Place provides weekly peer-to-peer bereavement support groups – grouped by age/development – to help children, teens, and young adults learn to cope and begin to heal after the death of someone close to them," said Valentine.
"Ele’s Place provides similar school-based grief support programs, often addressing loss that schools experience more broadly across the student population by the death of a fellow student or teacher."
Ele's Place has three branch locations in Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, and has served more than 43,000 individuals over its 34-year history.
"I hope to engage my networks at EMU, MSU Law, and Churchill, and inform them of the great work Ele's Place is doing, and hopefully garner some new supporters of Ele's Place," said Valentine.
In her free time, Valentine enjoys practicing yoga. She and her husband also enjoy trying the many different restaurants in Ann Arbor and Detroit.
"Since moving to Ann Arbor in early 2021, we have found no shortage of new places to try and we love that there is so much to do in the city," said Valentine.
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