Emily M. Wiltz - Grand Rapids, MI

Emily M. Wiltz, is a licensed attorney in the state of Michigan with a strong commitment to advocacy, justice, and public service. A proud Grand Rapids native, Emily earned her undergraduate degree cum laude from Michigan State University in 2020. She graduated cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2024, where she distinguished herself both academically and through her extensive involvement in extracurricular and advocacy programs. She earned placement on the Dean’s List and was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship throughout her legal education. In recognition of her academic excellence, she also received the Book Award for her performance in the Access to Justice course in 2024.

Throughout law school, Emily demonstrated her advocacy skills as a two-time competitor in the Transnational Moot Law Competition (2022 and 2023), and she served as an Associate Board Member for Internal Competitions on the Moot Court Board of Advocates during the 2023–2024 academic year. She was also a finalist in the 2023 Patrick A. Keenan Memorial Appellate Advocacy Tournament, further showcasing her litigation and oral advocacy talents. Emily was admitted to the Order of the Barristers in 2024 for excellence in oral advocacy and brief writing.

Emily held several leadership roles in law school, including serving as President of the American Constitution Society and Secretary of Lawyers Lending Hands during the 2023–2024 academic year, highlighting her dedication to advancing legal reform and community service.

Emily’s professional experience includes extensive work in both the public and private sectors. In spring 2024, she worked as a Grant Intern with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit, where she investigated claims of wrongful incarceration. In fall 2022, she gained courtroom experience as an extern in the Preliminary Exams Unit of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Emily found her passion for criminal defense when her legal career began at Willey & Chamberlain LLP, where she started as a summer intern in 2020. She continued interning there through 2021 and returned as a law clerk in both the summers of 2023 and 2024, gaining valuable experience in litigation and criminal defense. Emily is passionate about protecting her clients’ rights and navigating them through complex legal matters with clarity and care.

When she’s not working, Emily enjoys boating, snowboarding, and spending time with her friends, family, and labrador retriever.