Making History: The Honorable Hala Jarbou

On September 10, 2020, Judge Hala Jarbou was confirmed as the first Chaldean American to sit on the federal bench, appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan. It’s a long way from where she started.

She was born in the Tel Kaif District in Iraq, also known as Tel Keppe. The name means “hill of stones” or “stony hill” in Syriac, but the strongest memory Jarbou retains from her childhood there is the lemon tree in her grandparent’s courtyard. “It was huge,” she recalls.

Many of her childhood memories are of Oak Park, Michigan, where Hala, her parents Yelda and Basima and her 5 brothers came to live after joining family in the United States. “It was a great mixture of people and religions,” she says of the community.

The family traveled back to Iraq in September of her 4th grade year. It was a memorable visit for the young Jarbou. “Our plane was diverted quite a few times,” she recalls, “due to the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War.” Eventually making their way to Jordan, the family traveled by bus to Baghdad. Her recollections are of sirens, planes flying overhead, and caskets in Tel Keppe. The memories remain with her.

A shy and academic child, her work ethic and drive to excel came naturally. Like most Chaldean families, Jarbou’s parents placed a high importance on personal and professional success. “Wanting to succeed came from the realization that it is a privilege to be here. When you’re an immigrant, your goal is to make your parents proud.” Jarbou noticed how hard her family worked to make her life better, inspiring her to work just as hard to succeed.

“We knew there were a lot of opportunities, but we also knew that it wouldn’t come easy, we were the ones who needed to give 150 percent,” Jarbou said. “My brothers and I have talked about how different our lives would have been had they not brought us here.”

In high school, she toiled for college scholarships. Though there were no attorneys in her immediate family, Jarbou always knew she wanted to go to law school to “be an advocate” for the people. She went to the University of Michigan; “a great school,” she says, “to build a career of service.”

Majoring in Business with a minor in Political Science, Jarbou obtained her Bachelors in Business Administration before going on to Law School at Wayne State University. “Like most Chaldeans,” she quips, “I had a Plan A, B and C.” Only three Chaldeans were in her class in law school, she recalls.

Growing up in an “ethnic family,” Jarbou says, made her tough enough to handle a position like this. “Our family struggles, obstacles, and accomplishments all helped shape the person I am today.” The ethical foundations of faith and family help make sense of right versus wrong. Very rarely does a decision make everyone happy, but Jarbou doesn’t take things personally. “You have to be fair and impartial, according to the law.”

Hala is proud that her success is shining a light on the Chaldean community. “Compared to other immigrant cultures, we’ve been here such a short time and accomplished so much.”

Although she feels the responsibility of her station, Jarbou is not a political person. When she was originally appointed judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court in 2015, she had simply filled out an online application for an open position in a court she had practiced in for over 12 years as a litigation attorney. “I applied thinking I was qualified, and had nothing to lose,” says Jarbou.

When she got the call, of course she said, “Yes.” Public service was something she had always aspired to, and when she was a U.S. attorney, walking into federal court and hearing, “Hala Jarbou on behalf of the United States of America,” for the first time gave her goosebumps.

When she got the call about the federal judgeship, she thought they were joking. “The idea that I could be a U.S. federal judge – that’s the greatest honor of my life. This position was created and mentioned in the United States Constitution!” One week later, she was interviewing in Washington, D.C.

Hala Jarbou came to the notice of President Trump due to her reputation for steadfast ethical decisions and all the hard work she put into her job. Colleagues like and respect her. When the confirmation passed the final hearing on September 10, people started sending her news snippets and social media posts.

“Judge Jarbou has been a public servant for more than 20 years and brings the highest level of integrity to the bench,” says Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce said in a statement. “She also has the utmost respect from her peers. The federal appointment is the first-ever for the Chaldean community, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

Jarbou is not on social media, a very smart move for an impartial judge. When someone sent her the Chaldean News’ post announcing her confirmation titled, “On This Day in History,” she was very deeply moved. “It is honestly quite humbling. As proud as the Chaldean community is of me, I am a thousand times more proud to be part of the Chaldean community.”

What advice would she give for those hoping to follow in her footsteps? “Do what you do because you love it and it’s what you want to do. That’s the only way to make a successful lifelong career.”

The legal field offers so many opportunities, not necessarily just in law. Do your research. “Take on some internships, get some experience,” Jarbou advises. “If nothing else, look at all the mentors that are out there.”

She has received an incredible amount of support from her family and friends, and from the entire Chaldean community here in Michigan. “I thank everyone for all the wonderful support throughput this process,” said Jarbou. “My parents, and really my whole family, have been supportive in everything I’ve done. They have always instilled in myself and my brothers a strong work ethic – that if you are honest, work hard, and do the right thing, you will be rewarded.