Introduction
Martha is a civil rights lawyer in Detroit, Michigan. For more than a decade, Martha served in the prestigious position of career attorney/clerk to the Honorable Helene N. White of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, which rules on appeals from the federal district courts in four states: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Martha served in the district where many vehicle manufacturers have their U.S. headquarters and drafted for the Judge’s review objective, clear, and carefully measured opinions, including dissents.
The wide-ranging civil cases Martha worked on involved all manner of torts, including product-liability, diversity-jurisdiction claims that required application of state law, and constitutional claims. Prior to serving in the Sixth Circuit, Martha served the same Judge in the Michigan Court of Appeals for 14 years. During that time, she reviewed appellate briefs and lower court records. After conducting extensive independent legal research, Martha drafted opinions for the Judge’s review, including in technical product-liability cases.
She is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School, where she served on the editorial board of the Journal of International Law and Economics. She previously earned a Master of Arts degree in foreign language and international trade.
Current Role
- Management Board Member
Experience
- Prior to joining the foundation, Martha served as a career attorney and clerk to the Honorable Helene N. White of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for more than a decade. As a district home to many vehicle manufacturers’ headquarters, she drafted for the Judge’s review measured opinions, including dissents, in automotive litigation.
- Martha has worked on all manner of torts, including product liability, diversity jurisdiction claims that required application of state law, and constitutional claims.
- Prior to her role serving in the Sixth Circuit, Ms. Seijas served the same judge in the Michigan Court of Appeals for 14 years, during which she reviewed appellate briefs and lower court records. She conducted extensive independent legal research and drafted opinions for the judge’s review, for cases including technical product-liability matters.
Pro Bono
- Served as co-defense counsel for Alan Hurwitz in the United States v. Hurwitz, resulting in a federal Rule 11 plea agreement agreed to by all involved states and federal jurisdictions
Public Service
- Twenty-four years of clerking in federal and state courts
Languages
- Spanish
Personal Insight
Martha was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and loves Venezuelan and Cuban cuisine and music. She is an avid gardener, and also enjoys an eclectic variety of music, ranging from classical to Pink Floyd.