Secrest Wardle Partner Krystal D. Hermiz Attends In Defense Of Christians Summit

Krystal D. Hermiz, along with several other professionals from the Metro Detroit Chaldean Community, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the In Defense of Christians Inaugural Summit. The event took place September 9-11, 2014. Secrest Wardle sponsored Ms. Hermiz in her participation at the Summit.

Iraq is currently embroiled in a state of turmoil due to a surge of violence arising from an Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (“ISIL”.) Iraq’s population is currently 31,300,000. Approximately three percent of the population is comprised of religious minorities. The Iraqi Christian population is estimated to be 400,000-850,000, two-thirds of which is Chaldean.

Metro Detroit is home to one of the largest Chaldean communities in the United States, numbering approximately 150,000. Ms. Hermiz, a first generation Chaldean American and past President of the Chaldean American Bar Association, is actively involved in community efforts to help Christians in Iraq displaced by the present violence.

While attending the Summit the group worked to push Senate Resolution 530. Senate Resolution 530 calls for humanitarian efforts, safe havens, and timely processing of visas. The push was successful as President Barack Obama met with Patriarchs and Bishops of the Assyrian, Chaldean, and Syriac communities to discuss the role the United States will play in creating and protecting the Nineveh Provence, a safe haven for the currently displaced Iraqi Christians.

Ms. Hermiz, along with her group, met with numerous Congressmen, Congresswomen, and Senators. They met with Senator Bob Corker, Senator Diane Feinstein, Senator Harry Reid, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Joe Donnelly, Senator Michael Bennett, Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Pat Roberts, Senator Lindsey Graham, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, and Congressman Juan Vargas.

The group also had an opportunity to meet with Michigan representatives to thank them for their support of the Michigan Chaldean Community. They met with:

• Congresswomen Candice Miller of Michigan’s 10th District;

• Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan’s 5th District;

• Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan’s 2nd District;

• Congressman John Dingell of Michigan’s 12th District;

• Congressman Justin Amash of Michigan’s 3rd District;

• Congressman Gary Peters for Michigan’s 14th District;

• US Senator Carl Levin;

• US Senator Debbie Stabenow

On September 19, 2014, SR 530 passed. Passage of SR 530 is recognized as the beginning of an ongoing commitment by both the legislative and executive branches regarding the severity of the events occurring in Iraq, specifically the violent displacement of minorities.

Ms. Hermiz received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 2004 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law in 2008. She is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan and Oakland County Bar Association. She has been named to the 2013 and 2014 Michigan Rising Stars list in SuperLawyers magazine. She has also been named to the 2014 list of the “Top Women Attorneys in Michigan” in Hour Detroit.

Secrest Wardle is a law firm specializing in defense litigation and counsel for insurance, municipal, and commercial clients headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with additional offices in Grand Rapids and Lansing. Ms. Hermiz is a Partner located in the Troy office and a member of the Firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation and Premises Liability Practice Groups. For more information please visit www.secrestwardle.com.