Michal Terebelo brings to her practice a deep commitment to helping people navigate the challenges of the legal system to help them achieve their goals. Before coming to FGI, she worked as an attorney at Lakeshore Legal Aid where she represented survivors of domestic violence with family-based immigration issues and, while in law school, served as a board member of the Free Legal Aid Clinic where she provided advice and representation for Detroit’s indigent population. Those experiences informed her decision to focus on immigration law; they “still remind me how vital it is for every client to have not only skillful but compassionate help.”
Michal focuses on multinational IT, automotive, and robotics clients and has developed her expertise in business-based nonimmigrant and immigrant cases. As an immigrant herself, she knows the important role that they have had in building America’s prosperity and enjoys aiding her clients in building new lives. “I love the human aspect,” she says, “and the rewards that come from being able to help others navigate this complex system and achieve their goals.” She sees her practice as “not only to have each case approved but to reduce clients’ stress and to educate and empower them.”
Michal also serves as the firm’s Director of Technology and Legal Processes, developing strategic plans and execution strategies to drive improved operations throughout the organization. She is passionate about driving the use of technology to bring about optimization of outdated processes, streamlined operations, and increased efficiencies. She thrives on partnering with different stakeholders at all levels to help them continuously evolve.
Michal earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Michigan, her J.D. from the Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 2008. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Commission. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two kids.