In honor of Black History Month, we will highlight some of the firm’s outstanding Black attorneys.
We would like to take this opportunity to highlight Zausmer shareholder and executive team member Cinnamon Plonka.
“February is dedicated to a celebration of Black history honoring the triumphs and struggles of Black people throughout U.S. history. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and sacrifices of Black people who have helped shape the nation,” said Cinnamon.
Cinnamon is an exceptional and accomplished litigator. With more than 25 jury trials under her belt, Cinnamon has an impressive track record based on her ability to engage the jury and persuade them to her way of thinking. She is passionate about being in the courtroom, and her capacity for conveying a convincing story to seven strangers on a jury drives her success and cements her clients’ loyalty.
A member of the firm’s executive committee and co-leader of our Insurance Defense practice group, Cinnamon understands the importance of mentorship. She believes that being able to spread her wealth of knowledge is rewarding and a great way to help develop her team and mentees into the best lawyers they can be. She is the firm’s co-chair of the Diversity Committee and is committed to hiring diverse employees, with a goal to ensure that her team reflects the clients and community they serve.
Cinnamon loves that being an attorney has allowed her to help other people in many different ways. It has given her a seat at the table that has afforded her the ability to be there for people who can’t be there for themselves. Cinnamon shared her favorite quote from former United States Representative Shirley Chisholm: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
Cinnamon earned her undergraduate degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University. She then received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she competed on the school’s national moot court and trial advocacy teams. She also completed a rigorous training regimen at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.
Giving back to the community is very important to Cinnamon. She has handled various pro-bono cases, including working with women in domestic violence shelters. Cinnamon serves as a trustee for the Eastern Michigan Foundation and is active in her church, Second Ebenezer in Detroit, where she mentors youths. Cinnamon is the firm liaison for the Damon J. Keith Scholarship Program at Wayne State University, where she provides programming for students and mentorship. She also participates in the firm’s yearly Operation Good Cheer charity event.
Cinnamon’s favorite past-time is spending time with her family. She enjoys traveling and watching her 10-year-old son kill it on the baseball field.
Zausmer appreciates and values the many talents and perspectives that each individual brings to the firm and recognizes that our ability to attract and retain attorneys and staff members with diverse backgrounds is fundamental to our success. A well-balanced workplace and diverse culture not only enriches the quality of life for our employees, but also enhances the excellent service we provide to our clients.
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