Detroit Mercy Law 1L student Fatima Idrees has extensive experience in social media and filmmaking, and used her skills in previous work experiences at local law firms.
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Detroit Mercy Law 1L student Fatima Idrees brings a modern twist to her legal studies—extensive experience with social media and her longtime passion for filmmaking.
Idrees earned her University of Michigan undergraduate degree in economics and media production, focusing on documentary filmmaking and video editing. During undergrad, she directed, produced and edited multiple student documentaries based in Ann Arbor, and also wrote multiple articles for the student-run Michigan Journal of Economics.
Idrees put those analytical and creative skills to good use in a legal environment, using that valuable experience in an internship at Immigration Law PLLC in Ann Arbor. Working directly under attorney Brad Thomson, she managed the firm’s social media presence across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—most notably producing a video that went viral with 3.7 million views and growing the firm’s audience by 10,000 followers.
When not doing creative work for the law firm, she assisted in deportation defense cases, reviewing evidence and assisting in preparing material for cancellation of removal.
Earlier this year, she worked for Arnold E. Reed & Associates, P.C. in Southfield, continuing her work with social media.
“I was also able to observe a fast-paced trial environment, learning from attorney Reed, the demands and impact of client advocacy,” she says. “These two work experiences helped to deepen my interest in the law, particularly its ability to protect the rights of others.”
Idrees, who gained a taste of the legal world with a four-month high school internship at the Excel Law Firm in Southfield, chose Detroit Mercy Law for its strong sense of community and its practical training opportunities, and where she is enjoying the collaborative environment. She hopes to explore opportunities with student organizations related to her interests, such as the Intellectual Property Law Society and the Muslim Law Students Association.
“I’m passionate about the law because I believe to study and practice the law is to both express the love of country and the desire to improve it,” she says. “My interest in the media stemmed from my passion to inspire certain beliefs in others. The law takes those beliefs further—it binds them into action.
“Right now, my legal focus is in intellectual property law—in five years, I hope to be an attorney practicing in intellectual property law or entertainment law. However, I’m also interested in immigration and criminal law, and I know that during my time in law school, I will be exposed to many other areas of law as well.”
A high school graduate from Oakland Early College, Idrees grew up in Farmington Hills, where she still resides with her parents who immigrated to the United States from Pakistan.
“As for my hobbies, my schedule has been taken over by law school—however, I still love to watch and dissect films when I can,” she says. “I love going on walks, enjoying nature and spending time with my cat, Peanut.”
Legal News
Detroit Mercy Law 1L student Fatima Idrees brings a modern twist to her legal studies—extensive experience with social media and her longtime passion for filmmaking.
Idrees earned her University of Michigan undergraduate degree in economics and media production, focusing on documentary filmmaking and video editing. During undergrad, she directed, produced and edited multiple student documentaries based in Ann Arbor, and also wrote multiple articles for the student-run Michigan Journal of Economics.
Idrees put those analytical and creative skills to good use in a legal environment, using that valuable experience in an internship at Immigration Law PLLC in Ann Arbor. Working directly under attorney Brad Thomson, she managed the firm’s social media presence across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—most notably producing a video that went viral with 3.7 million views and growing the firm’s audience by 10,000 followers.
When not doing creative work for the law firm, she assisted in deportation defense cases, reviewing evidence and assisting in preparing material for cancellation of removal.
Earlier this year, she worked for Arnold E. Reed & Associates, P.C. in Southfield, continuing her work with social media.
“I was also able to observe a fast-paced trial environment, learning from attorney Reed, the demands and impact of client advocacy,” she says. “These two work experiences helped to deepen my interest in the law, particularly its ability to protect the rights of others.”
Idrees, who gained a taste of the legal world with a four-month high school internship at the Excel Law Firm in Southfield, chose Detroit Mercy Law for its strong sense of community and its practical training opportunities, and where she is enjoying the collaborative environment. She hopes to explore opportunities with student organizations related to her interests, such as the Intellectual Property Law Society and the Muslim Law Students Association.
“I’m passionate about the law because I believe to study and practice the law is to both express the love of country and the desire to improve it,” she says. “My interest in the media stemmed from my passion to inspire certain beliefs in others. The law takes those beliefs further—it binds them into action.
“Right now, my legal focus is in intellectual property law—in five years, I hope to be an attorney practicing in intellectual property law or entertainment law. However, I’m also interested in immigration and criminal law, and I know that during my time in law school, I will be exposed to many other areas of law as well.”
A high school graduate from Oakland Early College, Idrees grew up in Farmington Hills, where she still resides with her parents who immigrated to the United States from Pakistan.
“As for my hobbies, my schedule has been taken over by law school—however, I still love to watch and dissect films when I can,” she says. “I love going on walks, enjoying nature and spending time with my cat, Peanut.”
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