Maddin Milestones: Celebrating 100 Years with Mariel Newhouse
In 2025, Maddin Hauser proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary. Since 1925, Maddin Hauser has flourished and been inspired by Detroit’s impressive staying power as an influential American city. In honor of a century of service to clients and our greater Michigan communities, we sat down with some of our attorneys to discuss Maddin Hauser’s history, their professional journeys, and what the future holds for the firm and its clients.
Today, we chatted with Mariel Newhouse, an associate who focuses her practice on helping employers prevent and resolve costly and disruptive employment law claims.
Q: Tell me about your practice and how long you’ve been with Maddin Hauser. What attracted you to the firm, and what do you value or appreciate most about working at MH?
A: I joined Maddin Hauser as an associate in Sept. 2021, but I was a summer associate here while in law school. From my very first interview, I knew there was something special about this firm. I got this sense that these were just good people who enjoyed their work and enjoyed working with each other.
My first day on the job confirmed that everything I had felt about the firm was true. The environment is so supportive and collaborative, both personally and professionally, and the work is consistently engaging and sophisticated. Every day offers new opportunities, and the shareholders make it clear that they want to give associates the tools and support we need to seize those opportunities and grow as attorneys.
Q: As Maddin Hauser celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025, what would you see in the firm’s future if you had a crystal ball?
A: The firm always seems to have its finger on the pulse of what clients need and is constantly considering how changes in technology, business, and the practice of law generally can help us better meet those needs. That forward-looking, agile mindset will undoubtedly continue to drive the firm’s growth and success going forward.
Q. One hundred years is a tremendous milestone for the firm to achieve. What do you feel has been the most significant influence on its longevity, and what sets the firm apart?
A: Maddin Hauser invests in its people. When you do that, when you instill a sense of agency and ownership in every member of the team and let them know how much they are valued and appreciated, they will stick around for the long haul. In turn, that retention and continuity position the firm to be here for the long haul as well.
Q: Technology and how we work and communicate have changed dramatically in the last 100 years. How has innovation influenced your practice?
A: Any technology that makes us more efficient and effective as lawyers is always welcome. I think Maddin Hauser keeps itself on the leading edge of innovations that help us serve our clients better. Certainly, constant connectivity has changed client expectations regarding accessibility and responsiveness, but it also allows us to immediately address their concerns, get them answers, or respond to a crisis. That fits with the firm’s unwavering commitment to client service.
Q: In 2023, the firm launched an important initiative, The Maddin Hauser Way, which clearly defines everyone’s shared values and practices, which are the foundation of the firm’s culture. Recognizing that all of them are vital, is there one that has more greatly influenced or impacted your practice?
A: “Be Curious” is the one that stands out for me. It encapsulates one of the best things about practicing at Maddin Hauser: the encouragement of creativity and outside-the-box thinking. It also is a core part of assisting clients. You need to be curious and learn what makes them tick, what’s on their mind, and what their goals are. You can know the law backward and forward, but unless you take the time to get to know your clients by being inquisitive and taking a genuine interest in them, you are not going to be as effective a counselor as you could be.