Q: When did you know you would pursue a career as an Attorney?
JG: I decided in the 8th Grade. I was watching a TV mini-series about the Atlanta child murders and the courtroom scene captivated me. From that point forward, I knew that I wanted to be in the courtroom and to be a trial lawyer. 

Q: Can you share with our audience, the types of law you specialize in?
JG: Business litigation which includes business torts (fraud, tortious interference, etc.) and breach of contract. I also specialize in legal and accounting malpractice and construction/insurance claims. 

Q: Why did you decide to attend law school?
JG: I actually attended law school with the intention of being a criminal lawyer, but I have never handled a criminal case and have practiced civil litigation since I was sworn into the bar. 

Q: What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case?
JG: Winning and providing the best counsel for your client is not always winning the case at trial or arbitration. With the appellate process and costs of litigation, you can win the battle and lose the war for your client. I am always very mindful of where my client is both financially and emotionally so we can make informed decisions about resolving the case and allowing them to move forward with the business or their lives. There are certain natural points in every case where resolution makes sense, assuming the parties are both being reasonable. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue a career as an Attorney?
JG: Do it! But focus on a practice area or a path that you are passionate about as opposed to just obtaining a job or a paycheck (or a bigger paycheck). If you are passionate about your practice, the money will come. And seek out a mentor that practices in that field. 

Q: What are the best practices you have employed to build a successful career? 
JG: Getting active in bar associations early on in my career to increase my name recognition and develop a network for referrals as well as engaging in extensive preparation for motions, depositions, and trial examination. 

Q: What is it about your job that most excites you?
JG: I have always loved obtaining helpful admissions or leading a witness down a dangerous (for them) line of questioning during depositions or cross-examination. 

Q: What's your advice for women in male-dominated fields?
JG: Work hard and have a sense of humor. 

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
JG: Chief Justice Bridget McCormack of the Michigan Supreme Court. She is incredibly smart and dedicated to the improvement of the legal system. She is a strong advocate for access to justice and transparency as well as changing how we operate for benefit of the people we serve. Strong leaders rise to the challenge, and she certainly did that when faced with the pandemic. As a result of her leadership, she received much deserved recognition and praise from across the country and had the opportunity to speak on these issues before Congress. And yet, she is very approachable and genuine and willing to give of her time to new and not-so-new lawyers.  

Q: What are some of the challenges you feel women face today?
JG: There are also double standards that make success in the law more difficult for women. Research has demonstrated that women litigators are more likely to be viewed negatively when they are assertive or show anger. In a study of closing arguments given by men and women in a murder case, the men who showed anger were positively viewed but the female litigators who demonstrated anger were viewed as less competent, shrill, and hysterical. This leaves women in the courtroom with the need to avoid being too “soft” or “strident” or too “aggressive” or “not aggressive enough.”  

Even outside the courtroom, women are criticized for not behaving in a “ladylike” fashion when they are too forceful but are said to be lacking confidence if they are not assertive. This fine line of acting “appropriately feminine” so as not to be off-putting while going head-to-head with an opponent, can be difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver. Men need not walk that fine line and in fact, clients expect their male lawyers to be tough, but many unfairly assume that women are “too soft” to manage a client negotiation or complex litigation.

And, as was evident during the Pandemic, for most female attorneys who are also mothers, the responsibilities for their children’s needs and the obligations at home, still falls on their shoulders. The results of one survey found that 54% of women arrange childcare, compared to 1% of men. A higher percentage of women lawyers are still responsible for cooking for their family than their male colleagues. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
JG: To be active in the profession throughout your career – not just at your firm or office. Not only will it provide you with additional purpose of giving back and what I have always viewed as our higher calling, but the networking will allow you to meet the connections you need in the event you realize that your workplace does not fit with your goals or is not a healthy work environment. 

Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you? 
JG: I knew I was going to law school. 

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
JG: I am fortunate to have a husband who has worked at home after our daughter was born. That has made all the difference in my being able to be active with bar associations and to volunteer in addition to the daily practice of law. He has been the primary person to deal with our daughter’s schedule. My work life balance has improved recently since I have devoted more time to just “me.” I think we forget about our physical and mental health when we are always focused on taking care of our clients and our family. 

14 Things About Attorney Jennifer Grieco

1. What's your favorite family tradition? 
Attending the Christkindl market in downtown Chicago on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Attending the Buses by the Beach music festival over Memorial Day weekend every year in our Volkswagen Bus where we meet up with our tribe. 

2. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee? 
Barack Obama

3. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 
Hang with my family/ workout / read

4. What was the last book you really got into? 
Too many to say – I am reading a new book every week or two.

5. What’s your favorite app on your phone? 
Peloton

6. What’s your favorite quote or saying? 
This too shall pass.

7. Are you a morning person or a night owl? 
The night owl has become the morning person.

8. Favorite City? 
New Orleans

9. Do you read reviews, or just go with your gut? 
Always read reviews.

10. What’s your signature drink? 
Hendricks and tonic with a lime

11. What were you like in high school?
Wild. Trouble. 

12. What would your perfect Saturday be like?
Work out first thing in the morning, reading outside in the sun on our patio followed by a Tigers game and then dinner in Detroit.

13. Would you rather cook or order in?
Go out! 

14. What was your favorite subject in school? 
Social Studies.