Jailah D. Emerson

Litigation Attorney

Jailah is a trial attorney on Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team, focusing on commercial litigation and family law. She represents clients in breach of contract, business, and real estate disputes, as well as divorce, property division, and custody matters. Her practice also includes advising clients on Michigan alcohol beverage control matters.

In her family law practice, Jailah works with financial advisors, accountants, family therapists, and child custody experts to resolve matters involving significant financial or interpersonal conflict. Drawing on her commercial litigation background, she brings a disciplined approach to valuing assets, tracing marital property, and preparing contested family law matters for trial. Her experience resolving family law matters also strengthens her ability to navigate competing interests and negotiate favorable outcomes for clients in commercial disputes.

Jailah regularly serves as first- and second-chair counsel in trials through verdict and leads hearings, depositions, mediations, and settlement negotiations in matters before state and federal courts across Michigan. In large cases involving extensive documentary evidence, she manages discovery and develops the evidence needed to present a strong case at trial. Her approach centers on understanding her clients’ goals, providing a clear assessment of their position, and developing a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome efficiently.

Before joining Varnum, Jailah was a legal intern at the U.S. Department of Justice and in DTE’s Office of General Counsel. She was also a judicial extern to the Honorable Victoria A. Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Experience

Secured a six-figure jury verdict for a commercial client in a breach of contract dispute.

Obtained a favorable jury verdict for a client in a real estate dispute involving an apartment complex in Lincoln Park.

Secured dismissal of a municipal code enforcement case involving a client’s Michigan investment property.

Negotiated a divorce settlement following a half-day trial, obtaining an unequal division of the marital estate in the client’s favor based on the opposing party’s marital misconduct.

Secured a Michigan Supreme Court reversal allowing Detroit voters to decide Proposal P, the proposed city charter revision, in the August 2021 primary election.

Represented a disabled U.S. Army veteran facing the loss of her home in a three-day pro bono bench trial in Berrien County Circuit Court. Obtained a ruling rejecting the contractor’s claims and granting the client’s counterclaims, resulting in a $70,000 judgment and the release of more than $40,000 in escrowed VA grant funds.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, Commercial Litigation, 2026

Michigan Rising Star, Family Law, Civil Litigation and Personal Injury, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2025 – present

The National Black Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40

The National Law Review, Go-To Thought Leader Award, 2021

Wolverine Bar Association, Rookie Board Member of the Year, 2025

Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Wayne Region, President’s Award, 2025

Professional Affiliations

Detroit Bar Association, Board of Directors 2025 – present

Detroit Young Professionals 2024 – present

Federal Bar Association

ICLE New Lawyers Advisory Board; 2025 – present

National Bar Association 2024 – present

State Bar of Michigan

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Dean’s Advisory Board 2026 – present

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Inn of Court, Barrister, 2021 – 2024

Wolverine Bar Association, Board Secretary 2024 – 2026

Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Wayne Region: Immediate Past President present; President 2025 – 2026; Vice President 2024 – 2025; Social Media Director 2023 – 2024

Community Involvement

Alternatives for Girls, former Program Coordinator

Detroit Justice Center, Pro Bono Counsel

Umoja Debate League, Volunteer and Mentor

Presentations

Panelist, Girls Leadership Summit, Sophisticated She

Panelist, “Liquor Licensing 101,” TechTown Detroit

Panelist, Litigation Panel, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law

Panelist, “Navigating the Legal Profession: The Realities of Women of Color in Law,” Empower Her Rise, Inc.