When Sima Patel graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2005, she already felt a calling to a career in appellate law. During her last term of school, Patel was selected for a prestigious judicial externship with late Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver.

Showing excellent oral and written ability during the externship, Patel was extended a clerkship with Justice Weaver’s chambers—her entrée into the world of appellate law and a rare view into the inner mechanics of a state’s Supreme Court.

A true maverick in every sense of the word, Weaver instilled in Patel a mantra of “do right, fear not,” which has guided her career ever since.

After finishing her clerkship, Patel moved back to her home state of Colorado in hopes of practicing law there. This was, however, at the beginning of The Great Recession, and there were no jobs to be found.

In the midst of a long, fruitless search, she received a call from the office of newly elected Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway. Patel had been recommended by Justice Weaver and was offered a clerkship. So, she moved back to Michigan and continued her foray into appellate law.

While working under Justice Hathaway, Patel met her next mentor—a senior law clerk on staff named Janet Brandon. An experienced lawyer and longtime MAJ member, Brandon taught her the importance of tenacity, perseverance, hard work and fortitude amidst pushback, denigration or gaslighting from others.

It was at this stage of Patel’s career that she learned of an opening at Fieger Law, one of the only law firms in the state with an appellate litigation practice at the time. Where the courts taught her about appellate law from a largely theoretical, interpretational lens, Fieger offered a more tangible, boots-on-the-ground experience.

A Fieger Law attorney for more than a decade, Patel fought for equal access to justice and protection of law for all members of society, and ensured her clients got the best representation possible against big corporations, insurance companies and governmental entities.

On her way to becoming one of the best appellate lawyers in the state, it took a global pandemic for Patel to step back, think deeply about her career path and begin to seriously ponder the idea of becoming a judge.

“While I love being an appellate lawyer and an advocate,” said Patel, “I think it’s important to have judges on the court that offer a different perspective and voice. Representation matters, and I felt a calling to take things a step further, become a steward of the law, and amplify the reasoning, rationale and perspective already present in the courts today.”

With a desire to shape the law for future generations, Patel explored her path to the bench. When Court of Appeals Judge Jonathan Tukel tragically passed away in September 2021, she applied for the seat and was chosen by Governor Gretchen Whitmer for the position.

“How the law is interpreted and applied across Michigan has a profound impact on everyone’s lives and adds to the body of knowledge that governs this state,” said Patel. “At the end of the day, people want fairness from their judges and to know that, if they go to court, they’re going to get a fair shake. I want to add to that perception and carry it forward.”

Aside from her incredible work in appellate law, Patel is also a passionate MAJ member who is heavily involved in the organization’s Amicus Committee. There, she writes briefs at the appellate level, and influences the voice behind pertinent issues affecting the people of Michigan.

“The work MAJ does is so important and can’t be underscored,” said Patel. “No other organization stands up for the little guy more than them, and the fact that we can come together, pool our minds and resources, and help our clients get more justice is truly special.”