Growing up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, Ziena Hatem dreamed of becoming an attorney.
As a fourth-grader, Hatem recalled her school having students stand at a podium in front of their parents and share what they wanted to be when they grew up.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2023 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at spring commencement.
“My parents thought I was going to say something like a princess, but I said a lawyer,” she said. “However, as a first-generation law student, I did not know how to get there.”
Hatem figured that path out, and on Sunday, she graduates from The University of Toledo College of Law.
Hatem initially graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UToledo and then and went on to earn a master’s degree in medical administration from Walden University.
She was intrigued by medical administration thanks to her father’s work as a surgeon.
“The ethical regulations of medical administration felt like something that fit between what I knew, and who I felt like I wanted to be,” Hatem said. “After obtaining my master’s degree, I went to work for St. Jude; however, every position that interested me would say an applicant with a juris doctor was preferred. Talk about God waving what you wanted your entire life in your face.”
Hatem has since become an inspiration for aspiring lawyers everywhere, holding notable positions, including as a summer associate at Miller Canfield Padlock and Stone, a law clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and a judicial extern to the Honorable Jack Zouhary at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. She also was a teacher’s assistant to various professors at the College of Law including Dean Benjamin Barros for both sections of property law, Professor Joseph Slater for tort law, and Professor Joshua Dressler for criminal law.
Hatem
Hatem has received numerous academic awards and honors, as well, including the highest-ranking student (book award) for several courses, namely Civil Procedure II – Jurisdictions, Constitutional Law II – Rights, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Business Associations, Securities Regulation, Criminal Law and Lawyering Skills II. Hatem will be valedictorian of the spring 2023 class and also can be found on the Dean’s List for every semester of her law school career.
Hatem was an active member of various student organizations and has a rich cultural background, with family in Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria and London. In keeping with her desire to honor such diversity, she served as the International Law Society vice president during her 2L year and as executive fundraising chair during her 1L year. Hatem filled the role of 1L class representative for the Student Bar Association and participated in the Middle Eastern and North African Law Student Association as a general member.
Looking ahead, Hatem said she is excited to join Simpson Thacher and Bartlett LLP’s New York City office as an associate after graduation. She will work with a team focused on developing complex real estate financial structures, mergers and acquisitions. As a first-generation, nontraditional law student, Hatem is a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance. She credits much of her success to the UToledo College of Law faculty, who have provided her with guidance and support throughout her journey.
And for those considering pursuing a legal career, Hatem offered this advice: “Never having tried at all is worse than getting rejected. You may fail, but at least you tried. Even more, you may not fail. Go after every goal. Do not confuse what you have seen done with what you can make possible for yourself.
“Do not become distracted by what others are doing. Everyone reaches their goals through different paths. Not everyone has the same goals. You can and should learn from others, but you should remain focused on what works for you and what you want. It takes some effort to figure out, but if you are flexible and allow yourself to make mistakes, you will be OK.”
