Overview
Khalilah Spencer is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department. Recognized as a Super Lawyer-Rising Star, she has significant and successful experience in several jury trials and arbitrations involving a wide variety of complex commercial, environmental tort and employment matters. She primarily represents public and private companies in various industries including automotive, financial services, telecommunications, and real estate. She also has significant pro bono experience in civil rights advocacy related to public education, voting rights, and election protection.
Khalilah also serves as Honigman’s Inclusion, Equity and Social Responsibility Partner. In that role, she serves as an ex-officio member of the firm’s Board of Directors, chairs the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and leads the firm’s women and minority recruitment and community outreach activities. Additionally, Khalilah is responsible for development and implementation of firm’s pro bono and social responsibility programs.
Services
Practice Areas
Industries
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented automotive manufacturer in defense of potential class action by customer arising from alleged product defect
- Defended several class actions alleging toxic tort claims arising from alleged emissions and contamination
- Served as a second chair in several Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitrations, representing broker-dealer firms
- Counseled and obtained judgment in favor of the employer in several ERISA matters
- Represented City of Detroit mayoral candidate in election campaign and subsequent recount efforts
- Represented automotive manufacturer in breach of contract claim against NASCAR driver
Prior Experience
- Dickinson Wright, PLLC, Associate, 2002-2008
Credentials
Education
- Howard and Howard Scholarship
- Michigan Journal of Race and Law, Article Editor
- Political Science
Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Recognition
Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2025
- Recognized in practice area of Commercial Litigation
- NAACP Detroit Branch, Ida B. Wells Freedom & Justice Award, 2024
- Named as one of the Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence for 2021
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Recognized as a Rising Star, 2014-2017
- Legal Aid Defender Association, Pro Bono Spirit Award for Wayne County, 2013
- FrontPage Detroit, FP40 under 40, 2012
- Crain's Detroit Business, Notable Leader in DEI, 2023
Professional & Community Involvement
State Bar of Michigan
- District H Character and Fitness Committee, 2011-present
- Labor and Employment Section
- Litigation Section
American Bar Association
- Litigation Section
Detroit Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Wolverine Bar Association
- Minority Clerkship Committee, 2004-present
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
- Wayne Region, Executive Board Member, 2002-2004
Detroit Branch NAACP
- Executive Committee, 2006-present
- Legal Redress Committee, 2006-present
- Detroit Youth Council, Co-advisor, 2006-present
Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, “We Don’t Want Them: Race & Housing on Trial," Plaintiff’s Attorney, October 2009
PRO BONO
Possesses significant pro bono experience in civil rights advocacy involving public education, voting rights, and election protection