Desire to help others sparks interest in law career


Detroit Mercy Law student Lilly Hermiz also runs a business she founded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Lilly Hermiz

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News


Lilly Hermiz had various career goals in childhood—from a teacher to a fashion designer to an orthodontist in a matter of weeks. 

Thankfully for Lady Justice, Hermiz picked the legal field, and is a 1L student at Detroit Mercy Law.

She gained prior experience as a legal clerk at the Law Office of Dalia Kejbou, primarily working on divorce and immigration matters, conducting client consultations, drafting legal documents, performing legal research, and assisting in case preparation. 

“Working closely with Ms. Kejbou, a driven and passionate mentor, reaffirmed my decision to pursue a career in law,” she says. “Witnessing clients’ relief when they received a green card or resolved a family matter was incredibly rewarding and solidified my desire to practice law in a way that directly impacts people’s lives.” 

As a law clerk at Kajy Law, Hermiz gained exposure to personal injury cases—drafting legal documents, communicating with attorneys and clients, and gathering critical documentation for litigation. 

“This role gave me insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of attorneys and broadened my legal knowledge, professional skills, and network, all of which were invaluable preparation for law school,” she says.

Hermiz earned an undergraduate degree in finance at Wayne State University's Mike Ilitch School of Business.

“I knew that, regardless of whether I pursued a career in finance, the education would provide me with valuable skills applicable in any field,” she says. “I especially enjoyed learning about business, entrepreneurship, and investing, which helped me grow my own business and personal financial skills. These fields sharpened my ability to think critically, approach challenges strategically, and remain detail-oriented.”

Her decision to attend Detroit Mercy Law stems from a deep desire to serve others. 

“Guided by my Catholic faith, I view service as both a privilege and a calling, and I believe law offers me a powerful way to advocate for others and bring meaningful change,” she says. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to transform people's stress related to litigation into hope for the future. Law allows me to combine my passion for advocacy, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to helping others into a career where I can make a real, positive difference in people's lives.”

Hermiz chose UDM Law specifically because of its Catholic values and commitment to serving the community. 

“I was also drawn to its extensive hands-on opportunities, which allow students to practice law while learning. Being in the heart of Detroit also provides invaluable opportunities for growth both personally and professionally,” she says. 

“What I value most is the supportive and collaborative community. The transition into law school can be daunting, but my peers and professors have created such a supportive and encouraging environment. I appreciate how passionate the faculty are about teaching, and I already feel myself growing not only as a student, but also as a person and a professional.”

While still exploring different areas of law, Hermiz sees strong connections between her finance background and fields such as business law and real estate law. She also is interested in exploring estate planning and child advocacy, areas that reflect her passion for directly serving families and individuals.

“I’m highly motivated and believe in setting ambitious goals. One of the reasons I’m drawn to law is the limitless potential for growth. I value rigorous work, embrace challenges, and am committed to continuous learning as I strive to become the best version of myself,” she says. 

“I aspire to become an attorney who makes a meaningful difference in clients’ lives. My long-term goal is to build a career that’s both impactful and fulfilling. To me, success is not defined solely by a title at a firm, but by staying true to my morals and values, and finding happiness in my work that allows me to serve others meaningfully.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic Hermiz founded “Custom By Lilly,” initially designing apparel; it evolved into a full event-service business. 

“Building and running my own business has been an invaluable learning experience, as I managed every aspect from finance and marketing to customer relations and product development,” she says. 

“After working as a law clerk, I can already see a strong correlation between the skills I’ve learned through my business experience and applying them in law, such as effective communication with clients, time management, organizational skills, creative problem-solving, and many more. I’m confident that the skills I gained through entrepreneurship will serve me well in law school and throughout my future career.” 

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